How was 2009 for Bank Asya?

2009 was a quite productive year for Bank Asya. With increased profitability and sustainable asset growth, Bank Asya increased its number of clients in personal banking by 20% in 2009. In addition, the total number of credit cards – known with its brand name AsyaCard – reached 1.5 million. In parallel to this, the credit card turnover increased by 25% compared with the previous year.

In the Turkish banking industry, competition appears to have shifted to technology, in particular. What would you say about this?

In Turkey, in recent years there has been significant investing in payment systems and card technologies and building a technological infrastructure. Looking at the industry today, we see a fairly positive return on investment thanks to Turkey’s population, which is young and quickly adapts to novelties. The Turkish banking industry is one of the leading countries in the world in terms of technological competition.

In which area of card and payment technologies do you think banks are going to compete in the future? What advanced technologies are going to stand out in the future in the banking and finance industry?

Taking into account the card and payment technologies, the new competitive area for the banking industry will be contactless and quick payment technologies that make life easier for customers. Bank Asya has come a long way in this field by making significant investments so as to find solutions to meet the demands and needs of different customer groups. In addition, card technologies that facilitate life on campus and transportation in the city will also become an important part of our lives.

The Turkish banking system has come a long way in credit card utilisation. There are also significant developments taking place as regards debit card utilisation, that is to say, all of the ATMs have now united. The technology sector of the industry says that the ultimate target is to minimise the level of cash used for shopping. As an organisation in the industry’s finance sector, what would you say about this target?

Today, there is a significant increase in credit card utilisation due to the development of card technologies in Turkey, in particular, as well as increased competition and more campaigns. The diversified alternatives to cash and especially the technologies that can be used in all parts of our daily lives are positive developments in this regard. Today, just by carrying a single card customers can: access their account; carry out their ATM transactions; do shopping using its credit card function; shop in instalments; do small shopping without having to carry any change; pay bills; use it on the highway; and, use it for public transportation.

AsyaCard DIT was chosen the “Most Reliable Brand for Quality” at the 23rd International Consumer Summit. Likewise, DIT Pratik also received an award from Mastercard. Could you talk a bit about these awards?

Bank Asya’s contactless credit card AsyaCard DIT was one of the most remembered brands in its category and in terms of meeting consumer expectations it was awarded the “Most Reliable Brand for Quality” as part of the “2010 Consumer Choice Quality Awards”. The main reasons that AsyaCard DIT was chosen the “Most Reliable Brand for Quality” include: no annual card fees; contactless shopping; utilisation for public transportation means and KGS toll booths; application and immediate issuance within 15 minutes at any Bank Asya branch or Card Printing Centre. Turkey’s first prepaid contactless card DIT Pratik also won the “Best Debit / Prepaid Card Product in Turkey” award given unde Mastercard Worldwide’s Best MasterCard Paypass 2010 awards.

What are the differences between AsyaCard DIT and DIT Pratik?

AsyaCard DIT is a contactless credit card that can be used as a KGS devices. Whereas DIT Pratik is the first contactless and prepaid debit card solution introduced for the first time in Turkey by Bank Asya. DIT Pratik’s most distinctive feature is that it is a prepaid card, meaning that customers use the money already loaded on the card. DIT Pratik can also be used for various purposes (such as on campus and for pocket money).

AsyaCard DIT has all the features of a credit card and can also be used at the KGS toll booths. What advantages does the DIT Card offers to cardholders?

DIT cardholders can use their cards not only at the KGS toll booths but also as electronic cards for transportation by sea, taxi or bus. Furthermore, the card enables cardholders to use the card’s contactless feature for any shopping less than 35 TL. The card also offers various campaigns, points and AsyaYardım assistance to its customers in one single card.

What are your bank’s targets for 2010?

Bank Asya intends to continue its growth strategy in 2010. We also aim to open new branches and widen our customer portfolio. In addition, we are working on cooperation with new municipalities for public transportation and with universities for on-campus use in order to broaden the applicability of card technologies and AsyaCard DIT and DIT Pratik.

Cardist is an important event as the industry’s meeting point. We are in an age where technology is changing rapidly. How do you think Cardist will contribute to the industry in the future?

The industry is developing day by day, with increasingly rapid changes. Looking from this perspective events like Cardist play a key role in boosting the industry’s speed and enabling the sharing and development of technologies between industry players. Cardist is a great event to provide guidance for future investments in the industry by providing a platform to bring together industry representative and exchange ideas.

What are your expectations from this year’s Cardist fair and summit?

This year we expect the summit and fair to be very productive for Bank Asya. In particular, this year’s activities are very important to us in terms of promoting and spreading the use of our new services offered through DIT Pratik.

How are you preparing for Cardist 2010? What kind of novelties will we see from your company this year at Cardist? What products and solutions will be highlighted?

This year, we specifically plan on highlighting the new services offered under DIT Pratik, such as Campus, Pocket Money and Gift Voucher. In addition, we plan on putting the AsyaCard DIT card in the limelight.

Why should the banking and finance industry take part in Cardist?

The Cardist fair is very valuable for banks that aim to compete in card technologies and payment systems, in particular. We believe that it is very useful to take part in the fair to keep track of the developments in the industry and identify strategies for competition and products.

Thank you for your time.