Guided by the values of the Çalık Group and its digital-focused innovative approach, Aktif Bank continues its industry-leading activities.

Esteemed Business Partners and Colleagues,

With the impact of the pandemic waning and normalization taking hold across the globe, 2022 was a year of higher expectations for recovery in global economies. Yet, while global economic recovery continued, the escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine into a full-blown war led to changes in the economic policies of great powers. According to the IMF's report released in October 2022, it was expected that the world economy would grow by 3.2 percent this year, while the estimate for 2023 was set at 2.7 percent.

Meanwhile, Turkish economy grew by 3.9 percent in the third quarter of 2022. During the same period, seasonally and calendar-adjusted GDP increased by 3.6 percent year-over-year. On the export side, despite the slowdown in global markets and the parity effect, Türkiye reached a record-breaking export volume of USD 254 billion with a 12.9 percent increase compared to 2021. 

Aktif Bank, on the other hand, achieved its targets in 2022 with a successful performance. Thanks to its game-changing vision in investment banking, continuous investments in technology, and innovative philosophy, Aktif Bank and its subsidiaries managed to surpass the competition yet another year in 2022 by posting consolidated profits of over TRY 3.1 billion before tax. Aktif Bank significantly increased its support to the economy and exporters thanks to its renewable energy projects in investment banking and its strategy focused on foreign trade. 

Meanwhile, the Bank continues to lead the industry developments in retail banking in line with its technology and digitalization-focused strategy that has guided it since its establishment.  Serving over 2 million customers through the N Kolay digital bank with a completely digital-focused business model, the Bank serves as Türkiye's most extensive fintech ecosystem together with its market-leading subsidiaries. 

In 2022, UPT, Aktif Bank subsidiary operating in the field of money transfer, revised its mobile app UPTION with multiple language options, and launched its new UPTION card, all designed to enhance UPT’s presence in the global arena. UPT continues to grow stronger as an international brand with new overseas offices as well. With its renewed look, Sigortayeri, the insurtech brand of Aktif Bank’s ecosystem, is positioned as a reliable insurance advisor that makes customers’ lives easier. Meanwhile, the Passo ticketing app, serving as an access key to cultural, artistic, and sporting events, reached 11 million downloads by the end of 2022, consolidating its leadership. 

Aktif Tech, a new subsidiary established by in 2022 to leverage Aktif Bank’s technology expertise and know-how, begun to share its experience and technology in payment and ticketing systems software at the global level, with a particular focus on the Balkans, Africa, Turkic Republics, and the CIS region. 

Aktif Bank cemented its achievements in 2022 by being listed among “Türkiye’s Top 100 Most Valuable Brands” by Brand Finance, an independent brand valuation company that reviews over 5,000 brands annually worldwide.

Thanks to its market-leading subsidiaries and global partnerships, Aktif Bank continues to lead the industry with its innovative, digital-oriented approach, in line with the values of the Çalık Group. Guided by these values, Aktif Bank aims to take its investments in technology above and beyond the norms of the sector and further enhance its efficiency in 2023.

Sincerely, 

Ahmet Çalık