The Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo has approved Banka Ekonomike Sh.A.’s acquisition of the Kosovo branch of Türkiye Is Bankasi A.S., enabling the transaction to proceed under applicable banking legislation and further consolidating the banking sector. Following completion, Kosovo will no longer have operating branches of foreign banks, with foreign-owned banks instead fully established in the country. The approval follows a preliminary agreement between the two institutions and consent from the relevant banking supervisory authority in Turkey. The transaction will be implemented under Chapter V of Law No. 04/L-093 on banks, microfinance institutions and non-bank financial institutions, with all assets and liabilities of the Is Bankasi branch transferring to Banka Ekonomike; existing customers are expected to continue receiving services without interruption and without needing to take any action unless separately notified by their bank. The central bank estimates Banka Ekonomike’s market share will increase by around 1% without changing its position in the ranking by total assets, and that the bank will remain within regulatory parameters after consolidation. The process is to be completed within the necessary timeframes, and the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo will monitor both the acquisition and the previously approved transformation of Ziraat Bank’s Kosovo branch into the locally licensed Ziraat Kosova Sh.A.
Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo 2025-07-31
Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo approves Banka Ekonomike takeover of Türkiye Is Bankasi Kosovo branch
The Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo has approved Banka Ekonomike Sh.A.’s acquisition of the Kosovo branch of Türkiye Is Bankasi A.S., consolidating the banking sector and eliminating foreign bank branches in Kosovo. Governed by Chapter V of Law No. 04/L-093, the transaction transfers all assets and liabilities to Banka Ekonomike, with no service interruption for existing customers. The central bank will oversee the acquisition and the transformation of Ziraat Bank’s Kosovo branch into Ziraat Kosova Sh.A.