You are here: Home » Retail Banker International

Lead Story

Akbank outlines reasons for success

Akbank outlines reasons for success

Turkish banks have posted record profits for fiscal 2009 ahead of analyst forecasts. Akbank, the country’s second-largest lender by assets, posted a 53 percent rise in full-year net profits and according to deputy CEO Hakan Binbasgil, is well placed to target further growth in 2010. Douglas Blakey reports.



Latest Headlines

  • (Free) Lloyds, the UK’s largest retail bank, said it expects to post a profit for the year after lower impairment provisions and cost controlling measures boosts income growth.
  • (Free) The European Payments Council (EPC), the coordination and decision-making body of the European payments industry, has highlighted “substantial progress” achieved in delivering several initiatives for the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) within its 2009 annual report.
  • (Free) The UK Cards Association, which represents the country’s credit card industry, and the UK government have agreed a range of measures which they say will save consumers millions of pounds and give them more control over their finances.
  • (Free) Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Canada’s fifth largest bank by assets, will open 20 branches over the next year and a half to grow its market share.
  • (Free) Emirates NBD, the biggest bank in the Middle East by assets, has launched a range of chip-enabled Visa debit cards, across a wide range of customer segments.

can't go backcan't go back of 2

Read more stories from the latest issue



Latest Features

HSBC advances on the mid-market

HSBC has begun one of the year’s biggest product roll-outs and bank marketing campaigns, HSBC Advance, to promote the launch of a new all-in-one account targeted at the mid-market segment. As Farah Halime reports, HSBC is banking on the Advance product repeating the success of its successful Premier account.

Kazkom targets deposit growth in 2010

While Kazakhstan has not escaped unscathed from the global economic crisis, the country’s biggest bank by assets, Kazkommertsbank, is upbeat about its prospects. The bank’s managing director, Andrey Timchenko, tells Farah Halime an increased focus on boosting retail deposits will position the bank for further growth.

Switching promo boosts First Direct

While many retail banks’ marketing efforts are concentrated on keeping customers who have lost faith in the market, the UK’s First Direct is finding customers flocking to it from its bailed-out rivals. Paul Say, head of marketing at First Direct, tells Farah Halime how it is reaping the rewards

 

     View Media Packs