Banka Kombetare Tregtare

Banka Kombëtare Tregtare (BKT)

Type	Private
Industry	Banking
Founded	1925
Headquarters	Tirana
Products	Banking services
Parent	Çalık Holding
Website	www.bkt.com.al

Banka Kombëtare Tregtare (NCB) is the largest and the oldest commercial bank in Tirana, Albania.

The bank received multiple awards for its services including the Bank of the Year by various organizations, as well as an AAA-rating from time to time.

History

Early establishments

The first branch of Banka Kombëtare Tregtare was established in Durrës on 29 November 1925. As a matter of fact, the building of its branch, the Durrës Branch, actually represents the oldest Albanian financial institution in the country. On the other hand, Shkodra and Vlora Branches were established on 1 and 15 November 1926 respectively. Before the bank was called the "Banka Kombëtare Tregtare", however, two other banks were created first.

Due to the sub-divisions of the activities of the State Bank of Albania, two institutions were established in 1991 and 1992 respectively. First, the Albanian Commercial Bank was established to manage the foreign trade operations of the state-owned entities with former socialist countries. The next year, The National Bank of Albania was founded to manage the domestic trading activity of the State-owned entities. Nevertheless, both establishments merged in January 1993 and Banka Kombëtare Tregtare was officially established. Consequently, the assets and liabilities from the activities of these two entities were immediately transferred to the accounts of the newly founded bank.

In July 1997, Banka Kombëtare Tregtare was established as a Joint Stock Company with assets reaching 2.7 billion.

Privatization

The bank accomplished its privatization process in the year 2000. Particularly on 6 July 2000, The Albanian Parliament approved the sale contract between the Ministry of Finance and the Consortium of International Investors consisting of Kentbank with 60% of the shares, International Finance Corporation (IFC) with 20%, and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development with 20%. The transfer of ownership entered into force on 17 October 2000. By November of the same year, the new shareholders invested US$10 million, recapitalizing the bank.

In 2001, the establishment has had major transformations brought by the new highly experienced shareholders and managers, These transformations included the development of a new infrastructure, and the restructuring of all aspects of the bank's operations from personnel and procedures to IT infrastructure. At that moment, the young and dynamic team of professionals that the bank employed was committed to achieving perfection. Two years after, the paid-up capital reached the amount of US$14, 64 million, according to the general meeting in February 2003, turning the bank into the most capitalized bank in the whole Albanian banking system.

The year 2006 started with a new vision for Banka Kombetare Tregtare. With the authorization of the Bank of Albania and pursuant to the specific court decision issued on 9 June 2006, the transfer of 60% plus 2 of the bank's shares possessed by Kent Bank was approved in favour of Calik-Seker Konsorsiyum Yatirim A.S. Eventually after the decision to expand in Kosovo in September 2007,^[1] the institution already had 24 branches opened, ranking the largest Albanian bank in the region.

On 30 June 2009, Çalik Financial Services bought the shares of the International Finance Corporation and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, making the former the only bank's shareholder owning 100% of the shares.

With its stable performance between 2006 to 2012, Banka Kombetare Tregtare was evaluated with different recognition on the national and international levels including The Best Medium-Sized Bank in South-Eastern Europe, and The Best Bank in South East Europe for 2009 among others. Meanwhile, JCR Eurasia Rating has given the bank a credit rating of AAA (Alb) for two consecutive years, along with a stable outlook on the long term national scale, which denotes the highest investment grade. Furthermore, for the third time and for the fifth consecutive year, the Bank of Albania evaluated the establishment a Strong 1 according to the Banking Evaluation system CAMELS. At the same time, the magazine of the banking sector The Banker, part of Financial Times, has awarded BKT "Bank of the Year" in Albania for three consequent years starting 2010. Since then, the bank keeps on increases its market share in all other segments, as well as expanding its market share, becoming the largest bank in terms of retail banking.

2013 becomes the most successful year of Banka Kombetare Tregtare yet, gathering the three most prestigious awards in banking from EMEA Finance, Euromoney and The Banker, while its CEO is awarded by EMEA Finance as "The CEO of the Year in Europe".

Corporate social responsibility

Banka Kombetare Tregtare gives special attention to the development and emancipation of the Albanian society. Apart from environment projects in which the establishment has an excessive engagement, the activities that add value to the development of society are in the focus of it. For instance, the contribution toward that part of society who is isolated and constitutes a vivid life reality is one of the sectors where the bank has continuously contributed. During the years it has not forgotten the orphans in Albania, organizing different activities in order to help them.

The bank has also paid attention to the education of the society. In this framework, it has sponsored the education programs and has stimulated the best students with annual scholarships. A special importance is given to the finance and economics students. It is also a partner in developing the Master programs in the University of Tirana, and has sponsored in setting up of the university's library and supports the best students with scholarships. Pursuing this initiative, the bank will contribute to satisfy the students' needs for better studying environments. It is also strongly engaged on the FASTIP project in collaboration with the Aleksandër Moisiu Durrës University, introducing in this way an innovative collaboration between the banking sector and the educational institutions. Pursuing this initiative, it will contribute to improve studying areas in order that the Albanian students be on the same line with the students in other countries.

Projects on environment

The bank has been an active member of "One citizen – One tree" project led by Tirana Municipality. In particular, it contributed in planting 200 trees in the main streets of Tirana, which results to the recognition of Tirana Municipality and awarding it as Tirana's Personality of 2009.

It also has contributed in planting trees in Lushnja's Municipality main streets, and; in participation with sister companies of Calik Holding, ALBtelecom and Eagle Mobile, has sponsored the rehabilitation of one of the most problematic squares of Tirana, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Square. After the rehabilitation, the square has become more functional and both noise and environmental pollution have decreased significantly.

Projects on Education

Banka Kombetare Tregtare has been the first supporter of FASTIP (Faculty of Studies Integrated with Practice) of Aleksander Moisiu University in Durrës. In particular, it offers scholarship and internship possibilities for the students studying in Bank-Finance Branch, as well as working contract for the successfully graduating students. The first 15 graduates have already started working in the bank, while FASTIP has become one of the most important sources for new employees. It also had continuously supported the Faculty of Economics in Tirana University, providing scholarships for the most successful students, as well as working possibilities at the end of their studies. In fact, the bank largely contributed in the improvement of studying conditions in this Faculty.

In the same way, the bank has sponsored different science conferences and activities of educational institutions such as Faculty of Science of Tirana University, Epoka University, Aleksander Moisiu University, TurgutOzal College, Educational Regional Directorate of Tirana and many others.

Projects on Humanitarian Aid

The bank has been very sensitive in providing aid to the segments of society that are in need, not only locally but also internationally. Huge donations done show the sense of responsibility of the bank:

• has donated amounts of money for the families affected by the floods in Shkodra region
• has contributed in relieving the effects of floods in Pakistan
• has contributed in the international humanitarian aid for the people suffering from the drought in Somalia in cooperation with Calik Holding, Red Crescent and Sabah Newspaper
• has contributed in opening a potable well in Niger in cooperation with Calik Holding
• has contributed in the organization on the International Day of Human Rights with the intention on raising awareness on the protection of human rights in Albania, in cooperation with the General Directorate of Prisons.
• has contributed in funds, raising funds and awareness through a Social Media Campaign in the improvement of the Velipoja Beach House for Orphans.
• has donated amounts of money for the families affected by the floods in southern Albania.

Awards

References

External links

• Banka Kombëtare Tregtare/BKT
• Banka Kombëtare Tregtare Kosova/BKT Kosova
• Aktif Bank
• Calik Holding
• Corporate Social Responsibility Policy