İşbank UK Marks 50 Years of Bridging Türkiye and United Kingdom

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İşbank UK marked its 50th anniversary with a special event in London, celebrating half a century of fostering economic and cultural ties between Türkiye and the UK. The evening featured remarks from His Excellency Mr Koray Ertas Turkish Ambassador to the UK,; Ozan Gürsoy ,Deputy CEO of İşbank, and Mete Uluyurt, İşbank UK's Managing Director. The event was attended by prominent members of the Turkish business community in London, highlighting İşbank UK's 50 years of commitment to supporting the growth of bilateral relations.

Established as a representative office in 1974, İşbank UK transitioned into a full-service branch in 1983, providing comprehensive financial solutions to both individuals and businesses. Over the past five decades, the branch has played a pivotal role in facilitating cross-border transactions and deepening economic partnerships between Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

Strong economic ties between Türkiye and UK

Ambassador Ertaş praised the strong economic ties between Türkiye and the UK that İşbank UK has also helped to foster. He remarked: "On this occasion, let us reflect on the importance of the relationship and the strength of the economic partnership between our two countries. We are currently talking about USD20 billion in trade, with a target of USD30 billion. The decision to upgrade our existing Free Trade Agreement places Türkiye among the select few countries the UK government has prioritized for strengthening its trade relations. On the investment side, the UK is the third-largest foreign investor in Türkiye, with a cumulative value of about USD14 billion. These successes make all of us proud as part of the larger Turkish family here in the UK.

He continued "Institutions like İşbank UK, and our broader business community, step in to merge these two vibrant entrepreneurial cultures. We have a strong Turkish business community in this country, particularly in London. There is increasing trade, and increasing investments on both ends. I am deeply grateful for all that İşbank UK and the wider Turkish business community have done to represent our country so well."

50 years of partnership and progress

Reflecting on the journey of the London branch, Ozan Gürsoy, Deputy CEO of Türkiye İş Bankası, stated, “This is not just a celebration of our London Branch's success, but a testament to the solid foundations laid half a century ago, which continue to drive our vision and strategy in the UK. Our journey in London began during a Board meeting in Ankara on 16 November 1973. Our Board made a decision to establish a foothold in London – one of the world's largest financial hubs."

He elaborated further on the broader mission of the bank, “The rationale behind this initiative was not just financial growth, but to create a gateway for Turkish and UK businesses, enabling cross-border transactions and promoting economic relations. As we celebrate 50 years in the UK, we reflect on the centenary celebration of İşbank in Türkiye. Founded in 1924 by our Great Leader Atatürk, just a year after the establishment of Republic of Türkiye, İşbank has been more than just a bank – it has been an architect of Türkiye's financial and economic landscape. Over the past 100 years, İşbank has partnered with more than 300 companies, providing not only capital but leadership and expertise, helping these firms grow into pioneers in their respective fields. We have been the bedrock of many of Türkiye's leading conglomerates, supporting them in igniting their growth and played a prominent role in their success stories."

Gürsoy also acknowledged the significance of the Turkish community in London in shaping İşbank UK's success: “The Turkish community in London has been a key factor in the growth of our branch. Since the 1950s, this community has expanded significantly. As we look to the future, we are committed to continuing our support for this community and focusing on digitalization to offer even better services."

He concluded: “As we commemorate İşbank UK's 50th anniversary and celebrate our 100th year as an institution, we recognize that these milestones are more than just numbers—they are stories of friendship, unity, resilience and growth. This celebration is also a promise to our customers that İşbank UK will remain dedicated to delivering exceptional service and creating value for the next 50 years and beyond."

A trusted partner for those seeking to build a “Home Away From Home"

Mete Uluyurt, Managing Director of İşbank UK, shared İşbank UK's role in supporting the community and businesses over the years, saying, “Our mission has always been to provide the Turkish business community with a firm and reliable foundation here in the UK. We have seen businesses grow from small ventures into established brands, and we have been there for individuals starting new chapters in their lives."

He continued, “From supporting Turkish exports to facilitating investments and offering personalized financial solutions, our role to act as a bank executing banking transactions has been transformed that of  a business partner. For half a century, we have served as a financial bridge for those seeking to build a home away from home, and we take pride in the crucial role we have played in fostering economic ties between Türkiye and the UK."

Mete Uluyurt also expressed optimism for the future, highlighting İşbank UK's readiness to embrace emerging opportunities and new challenges. “The future holds immense potential. With technological advancements, evolving industries, commitment to sustainability and the opportunities of a Free Trade Agreement, there are endless possibilities for collaboration and growth. İşbank UK is ready to be part of this journey, to innovate, to support, and to create value for our clients in new and exciting ways."​