Garanti BBVA outlines its strategy and goals for 2025
At a meeting with Turkish media, CEO Mahmut Akten shared Garanti BBVA’s strategies and 2025 goals, while assessing the state of the global and Türkiye’s economies and the banking sector. Akten acknowledged ongoing global economic uncertainty but expressed optimism, citing Türkiye’s macroeconomic program and a balancing trend in the banking sector. The event, held at the Pendik Technology Campus, also included a visit to Garanti BBVA’s TIER IV-certified Data Center.
Garanti BBVA continues to see progress in its sustainable growth agenda with a customer-focused approach and global expertise, aiming to create maximum value for all stakeholders, including Türkiye’s economy. Harnessing artificial intelligence and digitalization, the bank continues to redefine the customer experience and lead financial innovation in Türkiye, while fostering a strong corporate culture among employees.
During his presentation, Mahmut Akten outlined four key priorities for 2025: “Sustainable Strong Growth,” “Best Customer Experience,” “Sustainability,” and “Our Employees.” At this point he emphasized the bank’s commitment to customer-focused growth, serving 28 million customers and maintaining a loan-to-asset ratio of 59 percent, well above the sector average. By addressing customers’ evolving savings preferences and fostering trust-based relationships, Garanti BBVA aims to deepen loyalty, solidify its customer base, and remain clients’ main banking partner.
Leadership in sustainability, green finance, and personalized banking via AI
CEO Mahmut Akten emphasized the 400 billion Turkish lira Garanti BBVA aims to provide in sustainable financing by 2025, with 291 billion Turkish lira achieved so far. The bank supports customers in carbon-intensive sectors transitioning to low-carbon models while leveraging green transformation opportunities. He also put the spotlight on investments in technology and artificial intelligence to enhance the customer experience, with 98 percent of banking transactions now conducted via non-branch channels. Garanti’s digital platform serves 16.7 million customers, focusing on personalized, seamless, and holistic solutions.
The Garanti BBVA CEO also took stock of 2024, a year of economic rebalancing for Türkiye. He noted that inflation has been declining since peaking in May last year, while interest rate cuts have begun. However, a tight monetary stance is expected to persist throughout the year to encourage lira savings. Akten also highlighted key economic improvements: Türkiye’s current account deficit has narrowed from $40 billion in 2023 to $10 billion in 2024, and net international reserves have risen significantly.
Garanti BBVA as part of a global financial powerhouse
Underlining the significant role of Garanti BBVA within the BBVA Group, Akten stated, “As the third largest country within BBVA, we make substantial contributions to the growth of the group. We gain immense value from being a part of the BBVA Group and have the opportunity to bring our innovative solutions to a global stage”. “Türkiye represents an important component of BBVA’s efforts in acquiring new customers,” he ended.