Halkbank Ready For Privatization, D.G.

ANKARA - Halk Bankasi DG Huseyin Aydin said Sunday the bank is legally, financially and structurally ready for privatization.
"The Supreme Board of Privatization will decide whether to privatize the bank through block sale or public offering," Aydin told A.A correspondent.
Aydin signalled that the bank administration is supporting Halk Bankasi's privatization.
"Halkbank's prior target is to continue being the leader of loans for small and medium scale enterprises," he said.
Aydin said the bank also wants to grow in loans for individuals and set their growth priority as profitability and productivity.
According to Aydin, Halk Bankasi will establish strategic partnership with HSBC in credit cards.
"Thus, our credit cards will not only become functional but also our share in credit cards will increase," he said.
Aydin said the bank thinks of opening new branches in Turkey and foreign countries.
"We are planning to open foreign branches firstly in Egypt and Ukraine because these are countries where Turkish firms generally undertake projects," he also said.