BKT AWARDED AS BANK OF YEAR 2012
Mr. Seyhan Pencabligil CEO of BKT, has been awarded as CEO of 2012 for Europe
Tirana, Albania (April 19th, 2013) – Banka Kombëtare Tregtare has been awarded for the third time consecutively as The Best Local Bank of Year in Albania by the prestigious British magazine EMEA Finance. At the same time Mr. Seyhan Pencabligil CEO of BKT has been awarded as CEO of 2012 for Europe by EMEA Finance.
The Awards, which were recently announced, will be delivered in the ceremony that will take place in Vienna on June 5, 2013.
EMEA Finance, one of the most important financial magazines in the world that follows developments in the financial markets in emerging Europe, Middle East and Africa, awards each year best banks and financial institutions in these markets.
BKT is the second largest bank and the oldest bank in Albania, having a total asset value of 2.3 billion USD and a total deposit of 1.9 billion USD. BKT network includes 83 branches, out of which 59 are located in Albania and 24 in Kosova, becoming the largest Albanian bank in the region. Lately, BKT has been awarded as “Best Bank in Albania for the year 2012” by the pre-eminent British magazine Euromoney magazine and also assigned a credit rating of AAA (ALB) by JCR Eurasia Rating, the highest possible rating taken by any Albanian bank.
BKT AWARDED AS BANK OF YEAR 2010
Tirana, Albania (December 7th, 2010) – Banka Kombëtare Tregtare (BKT) has been awarded as “Bank of the Year 2010 for Albania” by The Banker, the banking sector’s magazine of Financial Times. The ceremony took place in London Park Lane Hotel in 2 December 2010 while the award was taken by Mr. Mehmet Usta, Chairman of the Board of BKT
"We showed a consistently high and profitable performance during 2010 reaching a Return on Assets of 28%." said Chairman of the Board, Mehmet Usta. "More importantly, the bank's high profitability has been accompanied by an increased market share that stands at an all-time high of 17.5% in a market where almost all banks belong to foreign banking groups.”.
BKT is the second largest and the oldest commercial bank in Albania with a total of 1.5 billion USD in assets and 1.3 billion of USD in deposits. BKT network includes 71 branches out of which 58 are situated in Albania and 13 of them in Kosovo, making BKT the biggest Albanian bank in the region. BKT has been continuously awarded as the Best Bank in Albania reaching lately the evaluation as “Best Bank for 2009 in South East Europe” by the magazine Finance Central Europe. BKT is the only bank that has been reaffirmed for the third year in a row by JCR-Eurasia Rating with AAA(Alb), and by (1-Strong) by the Bank of Albania for the fifth year in a row.
For further information about BKT, please visit: http://www.bkt.com.al
Media Contact:
Banka Kombëtare Tregtare
Adrian Bunguri, Corporate Communication Manager
Tel. +355 4 2 281503 Email: adrianb@bkt.com.al
BKT DONATES 25 THOUSAND EURO TO HELP FAMILIES AFFECTED BY FLOODS IN SHKODRA
Tirana, Albania (December 7th, 2010) – Considering the tough conditions Shkodra citizens are encountering due to the floods that have occurred recently, Banka Kombëtare Tregtare (BKT) has decided to donate 25 thousand euro to support the most affected families. This amount is part of a 50 thousand euro donation package provided by the Çalik Group companies: BKT, ALBtelecom and Eagle Mobile. The package also has non-monetary components like free communication.
"We wish that the situation in the flooded area normalizes and evacuated families turn back to their homes as soon as possible." says Seyhan Pencapligil, CEO and Board Member. "We share their concern and want to emphasize our closeness to the people affected by this natural disaster.”
This is the second time that BKT as part of Çalik Group has made such donation for the citizens of Shkodra in order to express its solidarity with the families in need as part of its social responsibility. Earlier in January 2010 BKT had also donated 50 thousand euro as part of a 150 thousand euro donation package by Çalik Group, for the disaster caused by the floods then..
For further information about BKT, please visit: http://www.bkt.com.al
Media Contact:
Banka Kombëtare Tregtare
Adrian Bunguri, Corporate Communication Manager
Tel. +355 4 2 281503 Email: adrianb@bkt.com.al
BKT CELEBRATES 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS DURRES BRANCH
Durrës, Albania (November 30, 2010) – BKT celebrated today the 85th anniversary of the opening of its first branch in Albania in the presence of the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports, Mr. Ferdinand Xhaferaj and other distinguished guests. BKT Durrës Branch is the oldest banking institution in Albania and was established in November 30, 1925 in Skënderbeu street, Durrës. Its wonderful architecture and astonishing interior has made this branch one of the most important historical and touristic spots in Albania.
“We are very happy to inherit such an important and significant branch. This inheritance has been a means of inspiration for us to provide the best products and services to Albanians as the oldest commercial bank in Albania.” said Seyhan Pencapligil, CEO and Board Member of BKT. “In this important anniversary I would like to share with you the joy of the good news that BKT has been appraised as the Best Bank in Albania for 2010 by the prestigious British magazine, The Banker.
BKT is the second largest and the oldest commercial bank in Albania with a total of 1.5 billion USD in assets and 1.3 billion of USD in deposits. BKT network includes 71 branches out of which 58 are situated in Albania and 13 of them in Kosovo, making BKT the biggest Albanian bank in the region. BKT has been continuously awarded as the Best Bank in Albania reaching lately the evaluation as “Best Bank for 2009 in South East Europe” by the magazine Finance Central Europe. BKT is the only bank that has been reaffirmed for the third year in a row by JCR-Eurasia Rating with AAA(Alb), and by (1-Strong) by the Bank of Albania for the fifth year in a row.
For further information about BKT, please visit: http://www.bkt.com.al
Media Contact:
Banka Kombëtare Tregtare
Adrian Bunguri, Corporate Communication Manager
Tel. +355 4 2 281503 Email: adrianb@bkt.com.al
BKT BORROWS EUR 20 MILLION FROM EFSE TO BOOST SMALL BUSINESS FINANCE IN ALBANIA
Shkodra, Albania and Frankfurt/Main, Germany (November 26, 2010) – The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) has provided a loan of EUR 20 million to Banka Kombëtare Tregtare (BKT), the second largest and the oldest commercial bank in Albania. The loan agreement signed today will contribute to expanding the micro and small enterprise (MSE) lending operations of the Bank. It is the first loan agreement between EFSE and BKT. It addresses the lack of long-term credit available to MSEs in Albania, which are considered as the backbone of the country’s economic development.
“BKT plays a crucial role in Albania’s banking sector and sees a high potential in reaching micro and small enterprises who are a key driver for job creation and economic growth. That is why we consider this loan agreement especially important. We are confident that the business relationship with BKT will develop into a real partnership that will be mutually beneficial”, said Dr. Klaus Glaubitt, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EFSE. He added: “I am also pleased about the continued commitment of the Government of the Republic of Albania as the first government in Southeast Europe that has directly invested in the EFSE. It underscores the confidence the Albanian Government places in EFSE as an effective vehicle for supporting sustainable economic development and prosperity in Albania.”
“We are happy to start cooperation with EFSE, the most prestigious fund in lending to micro, small and medium-sized businesses” said Seyhan Pencapligil, CEO and Board Member of BKT. “The signing is yet another indication of our commitment to making Banka Kombëtare Tregtare the most active commercial bank in small business lending. Such commitment is further evidenced by the opening today of our forth unit in Shkodra, which is located in the city’s small business area.”
EFSE is one of the largest creditors of the Albanian MSE finance sector. It has offered a total of approximately EUR 40 million of funding to local financial institutions since its start of operations in Albania in 2007. These partner lending institutions have on-lent the funds received from EFSE in the form of more than 8,500 business and housing loans to local MSEs and private households. EFSE’s support to the Albanian financial sector does not only include financial investments, but also technical assistance, consulting and training offered to partner lending institutions with the aim of increasing the outreach to its target group.
EFSE’s work is also increasingly being recognized internationally: In November 2010 the Fund has been selected by the Group of 20 (G-20) as the winner of the “G-20 SME Finance Challenge” competition, acknowledging the Fund as the best worldwide model of catalyzing finance for small and medium enterprises.
About BKT
BKT is the second largest and the oldest commercial bank in Albania with a total of 1.5 billion USD in assets and 1.3 billion of USD in deposits. BKT network includes 71 branches out of which 58 are situated in Albania and 13 of them in Kosovo, making BKT the biggest Albanian bank in the region. BKT has been continuously awarded as the Best Bank in Albania reaching lately the evaluation as “Best Bank for 2009 in South East Europe” by the magazine Finance Central Europe, as well as the Best Bank in Albania in 2010 by the prestigious British magazine The Banker. BKT is the only bank that has been reaffirmed for the third year in a row by JCR-Eurasia Rating with AAA(Alb), and by (1-Strong) by the Bank of Albania for the fifth year in a row.
For further information about BKT, please visit: http://www.bkt.com.al
About the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE)
The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) is aimed at fostering economic development and prosperity in Southeast Europe, including: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, FYR Macedonia, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. It offers long-term funding instruments to local financial institutions for on-lending business loans to micro and small enterprises but also to medium-sizes enterprises, as well as housing loans to low-income private households. The investment activities of EFSE are supported by the EFSE Development Facility, which provides funding for technical assistance, consulting and training to partner lending institutions as well as awareness raising and market enabling activities. Overall, since its inception in December 2005, EFSE has offered approximately EUR 922 million in financing to commercial banks, microfinance institutions and non-financial institutions, facilitating a total number of more than 247,000 micro and small enterprise and housing loans. Initiated by KfW (The German Development Bank), the EFSE is a Public-Private Partnership that combines funds from various private investors, European governments an international financial institutions, including: European Commission, Federal German Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ), the governments of Austria, Switzerland, Denmark and Albania, KfW, IFC, FMO Netherlands Development Finance Company, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), European Investment Bank (EIB), Oesterreichische Entwicklungsbank (OeEB), Deutsche Bank and Sal. Oppenheim. EFSE is privately managed with Oppenheim Asset Management Services S.à r.l., Luxembourg, as the fund manager and Finance in Motion GmbH, Frankfurt/Main, Germany, as the fund advisor.
For further information about EFSE, please visit: http://www.efse.lu
Media Contact:
Banka Kombëtare Tregtare
Adrian Bunguri, Corporate Communication Manager
Tel. +355 4 2 281503 Email: adrianb@bkt.com.al
European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE)
Mr. Samir Djikiæ, Communications Manager
Tel.: +49 (0)69 9778 7650-26, E-mail: press@efse.lu
Banka Kombëtare Tregtare launched a package of banking products as part of Electronic Banking Solutions on October 26, 2010. In this package there are included technological innovation such as Internet Branch, Mobile Banking, Prima Keste, Top Up service and new ATM’s features. This official launch was attended by Albanian Prime Minister, Mr. Sali Berisha and the welcome speech was held by M. Seyhan Pencabligil, BKT CEO and Board Member.
Mr. Pencabligil stressed the fact that BKT on the same line of its expansion and development is continuously awarded by the Bank of Albania and other international financial institutions.
The Premier Berisha congratulated Calik Group for its exceptional achievements and stressed the fact that the decuple increase of BKT assets in 10 years is very impressive and it is a success that can not easily be achieved by any other bank not only in the region.
The Chairman of Board of Directors for Calik Group, Mr. Ahmet Calik, said that, "We have full confidence for the present and the future of this country, which is growing and developing day by day. We as Calik Group give a special attention to the technology and human resources especially in finance and telecommunications, fields that we currently operate. Very soon we will start our investment also in the energy sector. Our investments in Albania have reached the amount of 500 million USD. We are very happy to introduce BKT modern Electronic Banking Products”.
BKT with its serious investments in the innovative fields succeeded to launch the most complete electronic banking product in the market, Internet Branch, where the customer can register without the need to be present in any of BKT branches. It also has the maximum of the security through its OTP system.
Through Internet Branch the customer can check his accounts, can apply for a credit or debit card, can make transfers between the accounts in BKT or between accounts in other banks, can make all utility services payments, can pay fix or mobile phones bills, can authorize the payment of the credit cards and has the possibility to use many other services, some of which are introduced for the first time in Albania.
All the customers who are already registered at Internet Branch have the possibility to access on Mobile Banking through their mobile phones. They can check their account balance, the unstated transactions and make transfers through the accounts in BKT.
One of the most important BKT innovations, Prima Installment has given a new dimension to the customer behavior. Anyone who owns a MasterCard Prima can make a purchase and pay it from 2-12 equal installments.
Whoever owns a BKT credit or debit card can credit his Eagle Mobile number through BKT’s POS placed in Eagle Shops, without the need to buy a prepaid scratching card. BKT has added many new functions in its ATMs, among which the debit card can be linked with up to 4 accounts in different currencies. From each of these accounts can be withdrawn amounts of money both in ALL or Euro. Also the customers can apply for a debit or credit card and check the credit card balance.
Banka Kombëtare Tregtare the second largest bank in Albania, only e few days ago celebrated its 10-th anniversary of privatization. In its 10-th anniversary BKT has achieved many national and regional awards. It reached its climax as The Best banking South Eastern Europe for 2009. BKT is the only bank in Albania evaluated with AAA (Alb) from the prestigious institution JCR-ER. It is also the only bank estimated by The Bank of Albania with 1 strong according to CAMEL system for the third time and fifth consecutive year.
BKT has 67 branches, 12 of which are opened in Kosovo, 885 employees and 1.48 billion USD in assets.
BKT Mobile Banking
BKT hedh ne treg produktin më të ri në kuadër të paketës së Sherbimeve Elektronike Bankare, Mobile Banking.
Të gjithë klientët e regjistruar në Degën “Internet” tashmë kanë mundësinë që kudo që të ndodhen të kenë mundësi të shohin llogaritë e tyre personale, nëpërmjet celularit, mjafton qe te kene akses ne internetKlientët tanë do të kenë mundësinë që nëpërmjet celularit të tyre te shohin gjendjen e llogarisë, transaksionet bankare të kryera prej tyre, informacionet e kartës së tyre të kreditit, transaksionet e papasqyruara ende, si edhe të kryejnë transferta nëpërmjet llogarive të tyre brenda bankës. Mobile Banking është produkti më i fundit që plotëson gamën e gjerë të produkteve të bankingut elektronik si Degën “Internet”, Prima Këste, Funksionet e Reja të ATM-ve dhe Pagesat Top Up.
