|

Fitch downgrades 20 Turkish banks, outlook negative - Reuters

Fitch Ratings on Monday announced that it has downgraded the Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Ratings (LTFC IDRs) of 20 Turkish banks and their subsidiaries, as reported by Reuters.

Key takeaways from the publication

  • The downgrades of the banks' VRs reflect increased risks to their stand-alone credit profiles over the rating horizon since the last review of these institutions on 20 July 2018.
  • The banks' performance, asset quality, capitalisation and liquidity and funding profiles are now more likely to come under pressure as a result of the further depreciation of the Turkish lira, the spike in interest rates, and the weaker growth outlook.
  • At the same time, Fitch believes that near-term pressure on the banks' ratings has moderated as a result of the eventually orthodox monetary policy response, the stabilisation of the lira exchange rate, recent evidence of external market access - albeit at a higher cost - and the absence of significant deposit outflows since mid-August.
  • The 'b+' VRs of T.C. Ziraat Bankasi A.S. (Ziraat), Turkiye Halk Bankasi A.S. (Halk), Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi T.A.O. (Vakifbank), TSKB, Akbank T.A.S., Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. (Garanti), Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi A.S. (YKB), Turkiye Is Bankasi A.S. (Isbank), Turk Ekonomi Bankasi A.S. (TEB), ING Bank A.S., QNB Finansbank A.S. and Denizbank A.S. reflect their exposure to the high-risk Turkish operating environment.

Author

Eren Sengezer

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

More from Eren Sengezer
Share:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD holds steady above 1.1750 as traders await FOMC Minutes

The EUR/USD pair holds steady near 1.1770 during the early Asian session on Tuesday. Traders continue to price in the prospect of further rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve in 2026, following the 25-basis-point rate reduction delivered at the December meeting. The release of the Federal Open Market Committee Minutes will be in the spotlight later on Tuesday.

GBP/USD finds key support near 1.35 despite year-end grind

GBP/USD remains bolstered on the high end as markets grind through the last trading week of the year. Cable caught a bullish tilt to keep price action on the high side of the 1.3500 handle, though year-end holiday volumes are unlikely to see significant progress in either direction as 2025 draws to a close.

Gold rebounds to near $4,350 after Monday's 4+% correction

Gold is bouncing to near $4,350 early Tuesday, helped by renewed US Dollar weakness and a dismal mood. Gold was hit sharply by profit-taking on Monday during US trading hours and retreated towards $4,300, where buyers reappeared.

Crypto market outlook for 2026

Year 2025 was volatile, as crypto often is.  Among positive catalysts were favourable regulatory changes in the U.S., rise of Digital Asset Treasuries, adoption of AI and tokenization of Real-World-Assets.

Economic outlook 2026-2027 in advanced countries: Solidity test

After a year marked by global economic resilience and ending on a note of optimism, 2026 looks promising and could be a year of solid economic performance. In our baseline scenario, we expect most of the supportive factors at work in 2025 to continue to play a role in 2026.

Crypto market outlook for 2026

Year 2025 was volatile, as crypto often is.  Among positive catalysts were favourable regulatory changes in the U.S., rise of Digital Asset Treasuries (DAT), adoption of AI and tokenization of Real-World-Assets (RWA).