In an official statement, the central bank said the decision was taken at a Supervisory Council meeting on May 6, 2026, following a review of the documentation submitted by the Turkish lender.

The bank had previously granted preliminary approval for the licensing in August 2025.

Ziraat Bank will operate under the terms and conditions set out in its licence issued by the Bank of Albania, the central bank said.

Founded in 1863, Ziraat Bank is one of Türkiye’s largest commercial banks and operates under the supervision of the country’s Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency. Beyond its domestic market, it has a presence in the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo and Northern Cyprus.

With its entry, the number of banks operating in Albania will rise to 12.

It will become the second Turkish-owned bank in the country and is expected to place particular emphasis on financing the agricultural sector, where it has long-standing expertise in lending to agribusinesses.

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In its regular meeting on Wednesday, the Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania has granted preliminary approval for the licensing of the foreign bank branch “Turkiye Cumhuriyeti Ziraat Bankasi A.S., Albania” to conduct banking and financial activities in the Republic of Albania.

Ziraat Bank, a commercial bank established in 1863, operates in the Republic of Türkiye under a valid banking license and regulatory oversight from the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency. Its international presence includes operations in the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Northern Cyprus, and other countries.

Albania’s central bank has given Ziraat 12 months to meet licensing requirements, including capital funding, staffing, and operational setup.

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