NEWS FROM TÜRKİYE

The New Anatolian - International investors who have bought stakes in Turkish banking institutions are closely observing the Turkish sector with particular attention. Currently some two fifths of the assets of the banking sector are controlled by foreigners and from the 37 banks operating in the country Garanti Bankasi is the one having the most significant stake controlled by foreigners (7.8%), followed by Akbank (6.1%), Yapi Kredi Bankasi (4.7%), Turkiye Is Bankasi and Finansbank (3.1%), Denizbank (2.3%) HSBC (2.1%) and Turkiye Halk Bankasi (1.6%). In particular, as far as Italy is concerned, Unicredit Banca (a partner with 50% of Koc Holding in Koc Finans, which in turn has acquired 57.4% in Yapi Kredi), according to CEO Sergio Ermotti, made positive comments on the economic performances of the country, adding that the banking sector has helped the interest in the national economy naturally move away from the foreign financial speculations.