13
Activities
We continue to create alternative
sources while preserving our strong
deposit base.
Our total deposit size, which is a reflection of
the importance our customers place on our
Bank’s reputation, increased 15.2% year-on-
year to TL 153.8 billion. As of the year-end,
we continued to be the leading private bank
in total, TL and FC denominated deposits in
Turkey. The share of demand deposits, which
make an important contribution to curbing
our cost of funding, in our total deposits was
22.6%, while our overall market share was
15.9%.
İşbank continued to pursue a cost-oriented
approach in its resource management in
2015. Both domestic and foreign borrowing
instruments continued to be utilized in order
to increase resource diversity and strengthen
the maturity structure. The sum of securities
issued by the Bank amounted to TL 19.8 billion.
As of December 2015, the above-mentioned
securities comprised 7.2% of our total
liabilities.
The total amount of funds obtained from
repo, syndication, securitization and bilateral
agreements amounted to TL 48.5 billion at the
year-end.
Our performance is also appreciated
in the international arena.
İşbank’s exceptional performance is also
well-appreciated and widely praised in the
international arena. İşbank was presented with
the “Bank of the Year in Turkey” award in 2015
by The Banker, a prominent and renowned
international banking magazine thanks to
our robust financial structure and innovative
services. In the same publication’s “The World’s
Biggest 1000 Banks” list, İşbank was the only
Turkish bank to rank in the top 100.
We are taking decisive strides to
become “Turkey’s Best Digital Bank.”
Technological advancements have significantly
changed customer choices and behaviors. In
addition to the need to respond to this rapidly
changing environment, we also foresee that
the need to establish closer relations with
customers on digital platforms will increase in
the near future.
To this end, we initiated the “Digital
Transformation Program” in 2015. With this
new initiative, the Bank’s former target of
becoming Turkey’s “Best Multi Channel Bank”
was expanded to becoming Turkey’s “Best
Digital Bank” in the next three years.
In accordance with being the bank that
customers prefer in each and every phase of
their lives and providing an exceptional banking
experience with our broad digital vision, we aim
to establish strong ties with our customers,
enhance the quality of our interaction and
provide tailor-made services to meet their
individual needs and requests.
Awidespread service network
İşbank continued to open new branches
in 2015. As part of these efforts, the Bank
opened 26 new domestic branches during
the year. As of the end of 2015, the Bank
operated with 1,354 branches in Turkey, and
23 branches abroad. İşbank closely monitors
the developments in the Middle East, Caucasia
and the Balkans while evaluating investment
opportunities in foreign markets.
With its number of ATMs reaching 6,582 at
the year-end 2015, İşbank maintained its
position as the Bank with the most extensive
and widespread ATM network in Turkey. The
number of customers using our ATMs increased
to 8.1 million during the year, while the internet
channel customer base expanded to 2.5 million
users.
Managing the economic, social
and environmental impacts of its
activities with great sensitivity,
İşbank brought its Sustainability
Management System to life in 2015.
Taking into account the overall economic, social
and environmental impact of its activities
as a whole, İşbank brought its Sustainability
Management System to life. The strategy
consists of a set of principles that aim to
increase the added value of İşbank for its
shareholders, the public and the environment,
thereby enabling the Bank to act responsibly.
With this system, İşbank rendered its business
activities and operations more traceable and
improvable, thus demonstrating its responsible
approach toward people and the environment.
İşbank is also listed on the Borsa İstanbul Stock
Exchange (BIST)’s Sustainability Index.
We will continue to finance the
development of our country.
Turkey’s economy is forecasted to perform
better in 2016, compared to 2015 which was
a period marked by serious uncertainties. As
“Turkey’s Bank,” we will effectively manage
funding costs in 2016 and continue to finance
the long-term advancement of our country’s
economy by maintaining asset quality.
Motivated by Atatürk’s prediction that “İşbank
will leave a mark with respect to economy in
the history of the Republic,” İşbank continues
to create added value for the economy and
for the society. In the coming period, the Bank
will effectively and successfully conduct its
operations with the aim of doing its best to
contribute to the development of the Turkish
economy, achieving a balanced allocation of
resources and maintaining sustainable growth.
İşbank, a pioneering actor in the sector and in
its operating region, will continue to decisively
implement a healthy growth strategy.
As has been the case for 91 years already,
in the coming period core values such as
commitment, diligence, sincerity, sharing and
high-quality service will remain at the core of
İşbank’s business approach.
I would like to express my sincere thanks
to our customers, our employees, and our
shareholders, as well as our stakeholders who
have always put their trust in us.
Yours sincerely,
Adnan Bali
Chief Executive Officer
