A new Turkish bank enters Albania - BoA approves the granting of a license. Ziraat, the first specialized in lending to agriculture
The Bank of Albania has finally decided to license the Turkish agricultural bank Ziraat, after several months of granting prior approval.
According to the Central Bank's announcement, at its meeting on May 6, 2026, the Supervisory Council decided to approve the granting of a license to conduct banking and financial activities to the branch of the foreign bank "Ziraat".
In August 2025, preliminary approval was granted by the Bank of Albania for the licensing of Ziraat.
In accordance with the documentation submitted to the Bank of Albania, Ziraat's application for a license to conduct banking and financial activities has been reviewed.
It will carry out banking and financial activities, in accordance with the terms and requirements of the license approved by the Bank of Albania.
“Ziraat Bank” is a commercial bank operating in the Republic of Turkey since 1863, with a valid banking license and operating permit under the supervision of the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency. Outside the territory of Turkey, its activity extends to several other countries, such as: United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Northern Cyprus, etc.
Currently, 11 banks operate in our country, most of them with foreign capital and a smaller part with local capital. For 19 years, no new bank has been licensed in Albania. Last year, Ziraat Bank submitted an application to the Bank of Albania for the licensing of its first branch in Tirana. Ziraat will be the second bank with Turkish capital in Albania.
Such a bank specializes in lending to businesses operating in the agricultural sector, so it is expected to further increase financial support to this sector.
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