Foundation

The inception of the country's first truly national bank following the promulgation of the Republic dates back to 26 August 1924, mandated by Atatürk, consequent to the First Economy Congress in İzmir. İşbank begun to operate with two branches and 37 staff under the leadership of Celal Bayar, the first General Manager to run the bank.

A Historic Mission

The Grand Victory which preceded the proclamation of the Republic order entailed a period during which resolutions to the state's economic and social problems were sought. There was a growing and deeply rooted sentiment signaling the need for a truly national establishment and the birth of a banking system that was capable of the financing means to back up economic activities, managing funds accumulated as a result of policies providing savings incentives and where necessary extending resources which could trigger industrial impetus.

A Bold Undertaking

The birth of a new country depended heavily on the presence of banking activities nation wide, the drive for industrial development, animating national savings, financing fundamental economic breakthroughs and the means to meet financial borrowings. The aftermath of World War I culminated in a wide array of progress, including financial services which soon took off with an accelerated pace leading to technological advances and the designation of previously unheard methods and criteria governing business. Turkey was to suffer deprivation from such innovations and lacked qualified and skilled human resources. İşbank began operating at a time of such economic strain.

Our Subsidiaries

As well as the financial sector, İşbank provided great contribution to the development of industry in Turkey and has participated in nearly 300 companies to date. Having simplified its equity stake portfolio in time, the Bank currently has direct participations in 24 companies operating in finance, glass, telecommunication, as well as industry and service main groups and İşbank has direct or indirect control over 111 companies, as of December 2019.

Annual Reports