Turkiye: Disaster Response Framework – Akbank

Project Description

The provision of a loan of up to USD 90 million to Akbank T.A.S. (“Akbank” or “AB”) under the Türkiye-Disaster Response Framework (DRF). The project will enable Akbank to channel EBRD financing for supporting the businesses and individuals directly affected by the 06/02/23 earthquakes in Türkiye, as per the DRF Policy Statement. 

Project Objectives

The DRF constitutes the first and immediate phase of EBRD’s emergency crisis response to the devastating earthquakes in South-Eastern Türkiye. It will channel EBRD funding via the Bank’s existing partner banks in Türkiye to provide relief, and support reconstruction efforts in the disaster provinces. As such, the Framework reflects the goals of the EBRD’s Equality of Opportunity Strategy 2021-2025 (“EOS”) which recognises that shocks and crises, including natural disaster, have the potential to entrench and exacerbate existing inequality of opportunity, therefore requiring the EBRD to mitigate the impacts of such events on livelihoods and human capital.

Transition Impact

ETI score: 65

The Framework supports the Inclusive transition quality by mitigating the impact of the crisis and the subsequent economic shocks on the local population in a part of Türkiye that already faced major human capital challenges before the disaster. Under Window 1, Inclusive transition impact will be achieved through ensuring access to finance for businesses and individuals directly impacted by the earthquakes, supporting people’s livelihoods and safeguarding their human capital.

Client Information

AKBANK TAS

Akbank is the 7th largest bank in Türkiye by asset size (4th largest amongst private banks), with total consolidated assets of EUR 57 billion and 8% market share at YE22. Akbank is rated B3 (stable) and B- (negative) by Moody’s and Fitch, respectively. Sabanci Holding and affiliated institutions and individuals own 49% of Akbank and the remaining shares (51%) are listed on Borsa Istanbul.

EBRD Finance Summary

EUR 82,109,296.60

Total Project Cost

EUR 82,109,296.60

Additionality

EBRD’s Additionality is arising from its role in supporting private sector crisis response to the earthquakes in South-Eastern Türkiye. The Bank is acting as a countercyclical lender during a time of shock and major uncertainty for financial institutions, sub-borrowers and the Turkish economy as a whole.

Environmental and Social Summary

Categorised FI (ESP 2019). Akbank is an existing client of the Bank and environmental and social due diligence included a review of the annual environmental and social report (the AESR-2021). Akbank will be required to continue to comply with EBRD’s Performance Requirements (PRs) 2, 4 and 9, and continue to implement the applicable EBRD’s E&S Risk Management Procedures and submit Annual Environmental and Social Reports to the Bank.

Technical Cooperation and Grant Financing

N/A

Company Contact Information

Akbank Wholesale Funding
[email protected]
+90 212 385 62 38
+90 212 281 81 88
www.akbank.com
Sabanci Center 4. Levent Istanbul 34330

PSD last updated

11 Jul 2023

Understanding Transition

Further information regarding the EBRD’s approach to measuring transition impact is available here.

Business opportunities

For business opportunities or procurement, contact the client company.

For business opportunities with EBRD (not related to procurement) contact:

Tel: +44 20 7338 7168

Email: [email protected]

For state-sector projects, visit EBRD Procurement:

Tel: +44 20 7338 6794

Email: [email protected]

General enquiries

Specific enquiries can be made using the EBRD Enquiries form.

Environmental and Social Policy (ESP)

The ESP and the associated Performance Requirements (PRs) set out the ways in which the EBRD implements its commitment to promoting “environmentally sound and sustainable development”.  The ESP and the PRs include specific provisions for clients to comply with the applicable requirements of national laws on public information and consultation as well as to establish a grievance mechanism to receive and facilitate resolution of stakeholders’ concerns and grievances, in particular, about environmental and social performance of the client and the project. Proportionate to the nature and scale of a project’s environmental and social risks and impacts, the EBRD additionally requires its clients to disclose information, as appropriate, about the risks and impacts arising from projects or to undertake meaningful consultation with stakeholders and consider and respond to their feedback.

More information on the EBRD’s practices in this regard is set out in the ESP.

Integrity and Compliance

The EBRD’s Office of the Chief Compliance Officer (OCCO) promotes good governance and ensures that the highest standards of integrity are applied to all activities of the Bank in accordance with international best practice. Integrity due diligence is conducted on all Bank clients to ensure that projects do not present unacceptable integrity or reputational risks to the Bank. The Bank believes that identifying and resolving issues at the project assessment approval stages is the most effective means of ensuring the integrity of Bank transactions. OCCO plays a key role in these protective efforts, and also helps to monitor integrity risks in projects post-investment.

OCCO is also responsible for investigating allegations of fraud, corruption and misconduct in EBRD-financed projects. Anyone, both within or outside the Bank, who suspects fraud or corruption should submit a written report to the Chief Compliance Officer by email to [email protected]. All matters reported will be handled by OCCO for follow-up. All reports, including anonymous ones, will be reviewed. Reports can be made in any language of the Bank or of the Bank’s countries of operation. The information provided must be made in good faith.

Access to Information Policy (AIP)

The AIP sets out how the EBRD discloses information and consults with its stakeholders so as to promote better awareness and understanding of its strategies, policies and operations following its entry into force on 1 January 2020. Please visit the Access to Information Policy page to find out what information is available from the EBRD website.

Specific requests for information can be made using the EBRD Enquiries form.

Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM)

If efforts to address environmental, social or public disclosure concerns with the Client or the Bank are unsuccessful (e.g. through the Client’s Project-level grievance mechanism or through direct engagement with Bank management), individuals and organisations may seek to address their concerns through the EBRD’s Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM).

IPAM independently reviews Project issues that are believed to have caused (or to be likely to cause) harm. The purpose of the Mechanism is: to support dialogue between Project stakeholders to resolve environmental, social and public disclosure issues; to determine whether the Bank has complied with its Environmental and Social Policy or Project-specific provisions of its Access to Information Policy; and where applicable, to address any existing non-compliance with these policies, while preventing future non-compliance by the Bank.

Please visit the Independent Project Accountability Mechanism webpage to find out more about IPAM and its mandate; how to submit a Request for review; or contact IPAM  via email [email protected] to get guidance and more information on IPAM and how to submit a request.