Garanti's history

With innovative products and superior customer-oriented services, Garanti will continue to “make a difference” in the lives of individuals in the current period and beyond.

1946

Founded in Ankara.

1983

Joined Doğuş Group, a conglomerate operating in finance, industrial and services sectors.

1990

Went public; its shares began trading on the ISE.

1993

First Turkish company to issue shares in international markets.

1995

First bank to work during lunch time

Introduced the first Cash Management Account in Turkey (E.L.M.A.).

1996

First private bank to launch "Business Owner Package" dedicated to support SMEs.

First bank in Turkey to establish a dedicated  Cash Management Department.

1997

Became the first multi-branch private bank in Turkey to offer real-time online services.

The first Turkish bank to offer internet and telephone banking together.

Offered Turkey’s first Direct Debit System.

1999

The first bank to offer "Virtual P.O.S." system.

Launched Turkey's first e-trade website (eticaret.garanti.com.tr)

First bank in the world to issue trade payment rights securitization.

2000

Introduced Bonus Card, Turkey's first chip-based and multi-branded credit card.

Introduced Shop & Miles, Turkey's first credit card that earns miles while shopping

2001

Merged with Ottoman Bank, another banking subsidiary of Doğuş Group.

2002

Established Turkey's first interbank card platform with Bonus Card.

2003

Offered Turkey's first Online Direct Debit System.

2005

First bank in the world to offer SMS-based money transfer via CepBank.

First Turkish company to receive the Investors in People (IIP) achievement certificate for the quality of its human resources practices.

Turkey's first cardless bill payment and money deposit transactions through ATM.

General Electric and Doğuş Group became equal strategic partners in Garanti Bank.

2006

Introduced world's first flexible credit card, FlexiCard, enabling customization of all parameters including financial and visual.

Introduced Bonus Trink, the PayPass featured credit card with contactless chip technology.

Initiated Turkey's first bill payment service via P.O.S. machines.

Offered "5 minute loan" service whereby the applicant receives the evaluation in 5 minutes.

First bank in Turkey to create "paperless banking" operating environment and first bank in the world with ID scanning facilities in branches

The first Turkish private bank to offer "Woman Entrepreneurs Support Package".

The only bank in Turkey with exclusive rights to issue American Express Centurion Line Cards and to accept merchants to its network.

2007

Partnership agreement with one of the prominent insurance companies in Europe, Eureko B.V. (Holland) to transfer 80% of shares in Garanti Insurance and 15% of shares in Garanti Pension.

Launched "Garanti Discount", Turkey's first web-based supplier financing system.

Launched Turkey's first Direct Debit System with risk sharing model.

Introduced PayPass featured Bonus Trink credit cards in the form of watch and key fob – both firsts in Europe and sticker- a first in the world.

Introduced Environmentally Friendly Bonus Card, a first in Turkey and Europe with its features as an ecologic product such as its plastic, communication materials and donation characteristics

First bank in Turkey to offer web-based transactions on TurkDex (The Turkish Derivatives Exchange) via online banking.

2008

Bought back founder share certificates, an important move toward improved corporate governance.

Launched Turkey's first Inventory Finance System.

Established Turkey's first mortgage call center, 444 EVIM.

Launched Loan via P.O.S., commercial installment loan offered through P.O.S. system, a first in the world and in Turkey.

Performed Turkey's first cardless remittance via ATMs, where both parties are non-bank customers and want to transfer money.

Founded the Teachers Academy Foundation (ÖRAV), with the aim of fostering consistent personal and professional development of teachers.

2009

Turkey's first bank to offer "e-government" payments.

Introduced Money Card, Turkey's first credit card which is multi-branded and also offers brand-specific loyalty benefits.

Launched Turkey's first last minute EFT service.

Offered Western Union transactions via Internet branch as a first in the world.

Developed Turkey's first Gold Financing System.

Launched DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) P.O.S. enabling foreign card holders to pay in their own currencies.

Started calculating its greenhouse gas emissions.

2010

Established the Sustainability Committee.

Submitted its greenhouse gas emissions and climate change strategy to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).

Introduced another first in Turkey by performing Western Union transactions through ATMs as well as Internet Banking.

Launched the world's first NFC (Near Field Communication) payment enabled SIM card "Bonuslu Avea".

2011

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) and Doğuş Group became equal strategic partners in Garanti Bank, through BBVA’s acquisition of shares from GE Capital Corporation and Doğuş Holding A.Ş.

Sold its 20% shareholding in Eureko Insurance to Eureko B.V. by exercising its put option.

Joined UNEP FI (The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative).

SALT was established to provide long-lasting support to culture and experimental thinking in Turkey

Entered the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Global 500 Report 2011, a global reporting system on climate change.

Became the first private enterprise to issue the longest tenor Eurobond in Turkey.

Provided Turkey’s first TL-denominated long-term project finance facility.

Introduced Cep-T Paracard in collaboration with Turkcell and MasterCard, Turkey’s first prepaid card enabling SIM-based secure service that can be used with mobile handset devices.

2012

Set up its Environmental Management System and Environmental Policy.

Signed up to the United Nations Global Compact.

Became the first bank in Turkey to become a member of the Turkish Business Council for Sustainable Development (TBCSD).

Introduced Garanti Link which offers special campaigns to social media users as a first in Turkey.

Introduced Net Account as a first in Turkey which offers a variety of returns based on income, saving capability and habits, and with regard to opening dates and regular payment amounts.

Established sector’s first Auto Loan Support Line; 444OTOM.

Became the first bank in Turkey to apply Call Steering, apprehending the request expressed by the customer and directing them to the related task point.

Launched world’s first banking application for Windows 8.

In partnership with Shell, introduced Shell Partner Card as a first in Turkey to combine cash and fuel management in a single card.

Introduced Turkey’s first contactless SME-specific credit card, Easy Card.

Introduced Takas Kart (Barter Card) that enables the automation of cash flow between dairy industries, milk cooperatives, and milk producers through merging the means of exchange with technology on a plastic card.

First Bank in the world to offer web-based solution to the working capital needs of car dealers for the purchase of second hand cars via Exchange Finance.