3         Accounting policies

3.1         Basis of presentation

The Bank  prepares its financial statements in accordance with the BRSA Accounting and Reporting Regulation" which includes the regulation on "The Procedures and Principles Regarding Banks' Accounting Practices and Maintaining Documents" published in the Official Gazette dated 1 November 2006 with No. 26333, and other regulations on accounting records of banks published by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Board and circulars and pronouncements published by the BRSA and Turkish Accounting Standards published by the Public Oversight Accounting and Auditing Standards Authority for the matters not regulated by the aforementioned legislations.

The accompanying unconsolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the historical cost basis except for financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss, financial assets available for sale, real estates and investments in affiliates valued at equity basis of accounting.

The accounting policies and the valuation principles applied in the preparation of the accompanying financial statements are explained in Notes 3.2 to 3.24.

3.2         Strategy for use of financial instruments and foreign currency transactions

3.2.1      Strategy for use of financial instruments

The liability side of the Bank's balance sheet is intensively composed of short-term deposits in line with the general trend in the banking sector. In addition to deposits, the Bank has access to longer-term borrowings via the borrowings from abroad.

In order to manage the interest rate risk arising from short-term deposits, the Bank is keen on maintaining floating rate instruments such as government bonds with quarterly coupon payments and instruments like credit cards and consumer loans providing regular cash inflows.

A portion of the fixed-rate securities and loans, and the bonds of the Bank are hedged under fair value hedges. The fair value risks of such fixed-rate assets and financial liabilities are hedged with interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps. The fair value changes of the hedged fixed-rate financial assets and financial liabilities together with the changes in the fair value of the hedging instruments, namely interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps, are accounted under net trading income/losses in the income statement. At the inception of the hedge and during the subsequent periods, the hedge is expected to achieve the offsetting of changes in fair value attributable to the hedged risk for which the hedge is designated, and accordingly, the hedge effectiveness tests are performed.

The Bank may classify its financial assets and liabilities as at fair value through profit or loss, at the initial recognition in order to eliminate any accounting inconsistency.

The fundamental strategy to manage the liquidity risk that may incur due to short-term structure of funding, is to expand the deposit base through customer-oriented banking philosophy, and to increase customer transactions and retention rates. The Bank's widespread and effective branch network, advantage of primary dealership and strong market share in the treasury and capital markets, are the most effective tools in the realisation of this strategy. For this purpose, serving customers by introducing new products and services continuously and reaching the customers satisfaction are very important.

Another influential factor in management of interest and liquidity risks on balance sheet is product diversification both on asset and liability sides.

Exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk are controlled and measured by various risk management systems, and the balance sheet is managed under the limits set by these systems and the limits legally required. Asset-liability management and value at risk models, stress tests and scenario analysis are used for this purpose.

Purchase and sale of short and long-term financial instruments are allowed within the pre-determined limits to generate risk-free return on capital.

The foreign currency position is controlled by the equilibrium of a currency basket to eliminate the foreign exchange risk.

3.2.2      Foreign currency transactions

Foreign exchange gains and losses arising from foreign currency transactions are recorded at transaction dates. At the end of the periods, foreign currency assets and liabilities evaluated with the Bank's spot purchase rates and the differences are recorded as foreign exchange gain or loss in the income statement. 

In the unconsolidated financial statements, the financial affiliates are accounted for using the equity method in accordance with the Communique published on the Official Gazette dated 9 April 2015 no. 29321 related to the amendments to the Turkish Accounting Standard 27 (TAS 27) "Separate Financial Statements". In this context, foreign affiliates' asset and liability items in the balance sheet are translated into Turkish Lira by using foreign exchange rates as of the balance sheet date whereas income and expense items are translated into Turkish Lira by using average foreign exchange rates for the related period. Foreign exchange differences arising from translation of income and expense items and other equity items are accounted under capital reserves under equity.

From 1 September 2015, it has been started to apply net investment hedge amounting to EUR 333,487,913 in total among net investments in Garanti Bank International NV and Garanti Holding BV having capitals denominated in foreign currencies and long term foreign currency borrowings. Foreign exchange losses in the amount of TL 147,648 thousands, arising from conversion of both foreign currency net investments and long term foreign currency borrowings are accounted under capital reserves and hedging reserves, respectively under equity as of 31 December 2016. There is no ineffective portion arising from net investment hedge accounting.

3.3         Investments in associates and affiliates

In the unconsolidated financial statements, the financial affiliates are accounted for using the equity method in accordance with the Communique published on the Official Gazette dated 9 April 2015 no. 29321 related to the amendments to the Turkish Accounting Standard 27 (TAS 27) "Separate Financial Statements".

In accordance with the Turkish Accounting Standard 28 (TAS 28) for "Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures" through the equity method, the carrying value of financial affiliates are accounted in the financial statements with respect to the Bank's share in these investments' net asset value. While the Bank's share on profits or losses of financial affiliates are accounted in the Bank's income statement, the Bank's share in other comprehensive income of financial affiliates are accounted in the Bank's other comprehensive income statement.

Non-financial affiliates are accounted at cost in the financial statements after provisions for inpairment losses deducted, if any, in accordance with TMS 27.

3.4         Forwards, options and other derivative transactions

As per the Turkish Accounting Standard 39 (TAS 39) "Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement"; forward foreign currency purchases/sales, swaps, options and futures are classified as either "hedging purposes" or "trading purposes".

3.4.1      Derivative financial instruments held for trading

              The derivative transactions mainly consist of foreign currency and interest rate swaps, foreign currency options and forward foreign currency purchase/sale contacts. There are no embedded derivatives.

Derivatives are initially recorded in off-balance sheet accounts at their purchase costs including the transaction costs. Subsequently, derivative transactions are valued at their fair values and the changes in their fair values are recorded on balance sheet under "derivative financial assets held for trading" or "derivative financial liabilities held for trading", respectively depending on the fair values being positive or negative. Fair value changes for trading derivatives are recorded under income statement.

The spot legs of currency swap transactions are recorded on the balance sheet and the forward legs in the off-balance sheet accounts as commitment.

3.4.2      Derivative financial instruments held for risk management

The Bank enters into interest rate and cross currency swap transactions in order to hedge the change in fair values of fixed-rate financial instruments. While applying fair value hedge accounting, the changes in fair values of hedging instrument and hedged item are recognised in  income statement. If the hedging is effective, the changes in fair value of the hedged item is presented in statement of financial position together with the fixed-rate loan, and in case of fixed-rate financial assets available for sale, such changes are reclassified from shareholders' equity to income statement.

The Bank enters into interest rate and cross currency swap transactions in order to hedge the changes in cash flows of the floating-rate financial instruments While applying cash flow hedge accounting, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument is accounted for under hedging reserves in shareholders' equity, and the ineffective portion is recognised in income statement. The changes recognised in shareholders' equity is removed and included in income statement in the same period when the hedged cash flows effect the income or loss.

The Bank performs effectiveness test at the beginning of the hedge accounting period and at each reporting period. The effectiveness tests are carried out using the "Dollar off-set model" and the hedge accounting is applied as long as the test results are between the range of 80%-125% of effectiveness.

The hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires, is exercised, sold or no longer effective. When discontinuing fair value hedge accounting, the cumulative fair value changes in carrying value of the hedged item arising from the hedged risk are amortised to income statement over the life of the hedged item from that date of the hedge accounting is discontinued. While discontinuing cash flow hedge accounting, the cumulative gains/losses recognised in shareholders' equity and presented under hedging reserves are continued to be kept in this account. When the cash flows of hedged item are recognised in income statement, the gain/losses accounted for under shareholders' equity, are recognised in income statement.

3.5         Interest income and expenses

Interests are recorded according to the effective interest rate method (rate equal to the rate in calculation of present value of future cash flows of financial assets or liabilities) defined in the Turkish Accounting Standard 39 (TAS 39) "Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement".

In case an interest was accrued on a security before its acquisition, the collected interest is divided into two parts as interest before and after the acquisition and only the interest of the period after the acquisition is recorded as interest income in the financial statements.

The accrued interest income on non-performing loans are reversed and subsequently recognised as interest income only when collected.

3.6         Fees and commissions

Except for certain fees related with certain banking transactions and recognized when received, fees and commissions received or paid, and other fees and commissions paid to financial institutions are accounted under accrual basis of accounting. The income derived from agreements or asset purchases from real-person or corporate third parties are recognized as income when realized.

3.7         Financial assets

3.7.1      Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets valued at fair value through profit or loss, such assets are valued at their fair values and gain/loss arising on those assets is recorded in the income statement. Interest income earned on trading securities and the difference between their acquisition costs and amortized costs  are recorded as interest income in the income statement. The differences between the amortized costs and the fair values of such securities are recorded under trading account income/losses in the income statement. In cases where such securities are sold before their maturities, the gains/losses on such sales are recorded under trading account income/losses.

The Bank classifies certain loans and securities issued at their origination dates, as financial assets/liabilities at fair value through profit or loss in compliance with TAS 39. The interest income/expense earned and the difference between the acquisition costs and the amortized costs of financial insturuments are recorded under interest income/expense in income statement, the difference between the amortized costs and the fair values of financial instruments are recorded under trading account income/losses in income statement.

3.7.2      Investments held-to-maturity, financial assets available-for-sale and loans and receivables

Financial assets are initially recorded at their purchase costs including the transaction costs.

Investments held-to-maturity are financial assets with fixed maturities and pre-determined payment schedules that the Bank has the intent and ability to hold until maturity, excluding originated loans and receivables.

There are no financial assets that are not allowed to be classified as investments held-to-maturity for two years due to the tainting rules applied for the breach of classification rules.

Investments held-to-maturity are measured at amortized costs using internal rate of return after deducting impairments, if any.

Financial assets available-for-sale, are financial assets other than assets held for trading purposes, investments held-to-maturity and originated loans and receivables.

Financial assets available-for-sale are measured at their fair values subsequently. However, assets for which fair values can not be determined reliably, are valued at amortized costs by using discounting method with internal rate of return for floating-rate securities; and by using valuation models or discounted cash flow techniques for fixed-rate securities. Unrecognised gain/losses derived from the difference between their fair values and the discounted values are recorded in "securities value increase fund" under the shareholders' equity. In case of sales, the gain/losses arising from fair value measurement under shareholders' equity are recognized in income statement.

The Bank owns consumer price indexed government bonds (CPI) portfolio. CPI's are valued and accounted according to the effective interest rate method which is calculated according to the real coupon rate and the reference inflation index on the issue date. As it is mentioned in the Undersecretariat of Treasury's Investor Guide of CPI, the reference index used during the calculation of the actual coupon payment amount is the previous two months CPI's. The bank determines its expected inflation rates in compliance with this guide. The estimated inflation rate according to the Central Bank of Turkey and the Bank's expectations, is updated during the year when it is considered necessary.

Purchase and sale transactions of securities are accounted at delivery dates.

Loans and receivables are financial assets raised by the Bank providing money, commodity and services to debtors.

Loans are financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and not quoted in an active market.

Loans and receivables are recognized at cost and measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Duties paid, transaction costs and other similar expenses on assets received against such risks are considered as a part of transaction cost and charged to customers.

3.8         Impairment of financial assets

Financial asset or group of financial assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is objective evidence of impairment. If any such indication exists, the Bank estimates the amount of impairment.

Impairment loss incurs if, and only if, there is an objective evidence that the expected future cash flows of financial asset or group of financial assets are adversely effected by an event(s) ("loss event(s)") incurred subsequent to recognition. The losses expected to incur due to future events are not recognized even if the probability of loss is high.

If there is an objective evidence that certain loans will not be collected, for such loans; the Bank provides specific and general allowances for loan and other receivables classified in accordance with the Regulation on Identification of and Provision against Non-Performing Loans and Other Receivables (the Provisioning Regulation) published on the Official Gazette no.2633 dated 1 November 2006. The allowances are recorded in income statement of the related period.

Provisions made during the period are recorded under "provision for losses on loans and other receivables". Provisions booked in the prior periods and released in the current year are recorded under "other operating income".

3.9         Netting and derecognition of financial instruments

3.9.1      Netting of financial instruments

In cases where the fair values of trading securities, securities available-for-sale, securities quoted at the stock exchanges, associates and affiliates are less then their carrying values, a provision for impairment is allocated, and the net value is shown on the balance sheet.

The Bank provides specific allowances for non-performing loan and other receivables in accordance with the Regulation on Identification of and Provision against Non-Performing Loans and Other Receivables. Such allowances are recorded under "loans" as negative balances on the asset side.

Otherwise, the financial assets and liabilities are netted off only when there is a legal right to do so.

3.9.2      Derecognition of financial assets

The Bank derecognizes a financial asset only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or when it transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset to another party. If the Bank neither transfers nor retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership and continues to control the transferred asset, the Bank recognizes its retained interest in the asset and an associated liability for amounts it may have to pay. If the Bank retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of a transferred financial asset, it continues to recognize the financial asset and also recognizes a collateralized borrowing for the proceeds received.

On derecognition of a financial asset in its entirety, the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the sum of the consideration received and receivable and the cumulative gain or loss that had been recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity is recognized in income statement.

In case an existing financial asset is replaced with another financial asset from the same counterparty where the terms on the initial financial asset are substantially modified, the existing financial asset is derecognized and a new financial asset is recognized.  The difference between the carrying values of the respective financial assets is recognized in income statement.

3.10       Repurchase and resale agreements and securities lending

Securities sold under repurchase agreements are recorded on the balance sheet in compliance with the Uniform Chart of Accounts. Accordingly, government bonds and treasury bills sold to customers under repurchase agreements are classified as "Investments Subject to Repurchase Agreements" and valued based on the Bank management's future intentions, either at market prices or using discounting method with internal rate of return. The funds received through repurchase agreements are classified separately under liability accounts and the related interest expenses are accounted for on an accrual basis.

Securities purchased under resale agreements are classified under "interbank money markets" separately. An income accrual is accounted for the positive difference between the purchase and resale prices earned during the period.

3.11       Assets held for sale, discontinued operations and related liabilities

A tangible asset (or a disposal group) classified as "asset held for sale" is measured at lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. An asset (or a disposal group) is regarded as "asset held for sale" only when the sale is highly probable and the asset (disposal group) is available for immediate sale in its present condition. For a highly probable sale, there must be a valid plan prepared by the management for the sale of asset including identification of possible buyers and completion of sale process. Furthermore, the asset should be actively marketed at a price consistent with its fair value.

A discontinued operation is a part of the Bank's business classified as sold or held-for-sale. The operating results of the discontinued operations are disclosed separately in income statement. The Bank has no discontinued operations.

3.12       Goodwill and other intangible assets

The Bank's intangible assets consist of softwares, intangible rights and other intangible assets.

Goodwill and other intangible assets are recorded at cost in compliance with the Turkish Accounting Standard 38 (TAS 38) "Intangible Assets".

The costs of other intangible assets purchased before 31 December 2004 are restated from the purchasing dates to 31 December 2004, the date the hyperinflationary period is considered to be ended. The intangible assets purchased after this date are recorded at their initial purchase costs.

As per TAS 38, internally-generated softwares should be recognised as intangible assets if they meet the below listed criterias:

- The technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that it will be available for use,

- Availability of the Bank's intention to complete and use the intangible asset,

- The ability to use the intangible asset,

- Clarity in probable future economic benefits to be generated from the intangible asset,

- The availability of adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development phase and to start using the intangible asset,

- The availability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during the development phase.

The directly attributable development costs of intangible asset are included in the the cost of such assets, however the research costs are recognised as expense as incurred.

The intangible assets are amortised by the Bank over their estimated useful lives based on their inflation adjusted costs on a straight-line basis. Estimated useful lives of the Bank's intangible assets are 3-15 years, and amortisation rates are 6.67-33.3%.

If there is objective evidence of impairment, the asset's recoverable amount is estimated in accordance with the Turkish Accounting Standard 36 (TAS 36) " Impairment of Assets" and if the recoverable amount is less then the carrying value of the related asset, a provision for impairment loss is provided.

3.13       Tangible assets

The cost of the tangible assets purchased before 31 December 2004 are restated from the purchasing dates to 31 December 2004, the date the hyperinflationary period is considered to be ended. The tangible assets purchased after this date are recorded at their historical costs.

As of 1 November 2015, changing the existing accounting policy, it has been decided to apply revaluation model for properties recorded under tangible assets instead of cost model in accordance with the Turkish Accounting Standard 16 (TAS 16) "Property, Plant and Equipment". Accordingly, for all real estates registered in the ledger, a valuation study was performed by independent expertise firms.

If there is objective evidence of impairment, the asset's recoverable amount is estimated in accordance with the Turkish Accounting Standard 36 (TAS 36) " Impairment of Assets" and if the recoverable amount is less than the carrying value of the related asset, a provision for impairment loss is provided.

Gains/losses arising from the disposal of the tangible assets are calculated as the difference between the net book value and the net sale price.

Maintenance and repair costs incurred for tangible assets, are recorded as expense.

There are no restrictions such as pledges, mortgages or any other restriction on tangible assets. The depreciation rates and the estimated useful lives of tangible assets are presented below. Depreciation method in use was not changed in the current period.

The depreciation of an asset held for a period less than a full financial year is calculated as a proportion of the full year depreciation charge from the date of acquisition to the financial year end.

Useful lives of buildings are reviewed at least once a year and if current estimates are different than previous estimates, then the revised estimates are considered as accounting policy change in accordance with Turkish Accounting Standard 8 (TAS 8) "Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors".

Investment properties

Land and buildings that are held to earn rentals or for capital appreciation or both rather than for use in production, supply of goods or services, administrative purposes or sale in the ordinary course of business are clasified as investment property. As of 1 November 2015, changing the existing accounting policy, it has been decided to apply fair value model for investment properties instead of cost model in accordance with the Turkish Accounting Standard 40 (TAS 40) "Investment Property" Accordingly, for all the investment properties registered in the ledger, a valuation study was performed by independent expertise firms. Fair value changes in investment properties were accounted in the income statement for the period they occurred.

Investment properties accounted at fair value are not depreciated.

3.14       Leasing activities

Leased assets are recognized by recording an asset or a liability. In the determination of the related asset and liability amounts, the lower of the fair value of the leased asset and the present value of leasing payments is considered. Financial costs on leasing agreements are expanded in lease periods at a fixed interest rate.

In cases where leased assets are impaired or the expected future benefits of the assets are less than their book values, the book values of such leased assets are reduced to their net realizable values. Depreciation for assets acquired through financial leases is calculated consistently with the same principle as for the tangible assets.

In operating leases, the rent payments are charged to the statement of operations in equal installments.

3.15       Provisions and contingent liabilities

In the financial statements, a provision is made for an existing commitment resulted from past events if it is probable that the commitment will be settled and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. Provisions are calculated based on the best estimates of management on the expenses to incur as of the balance sheet date and, if material, such expenses are discounted for their present values. If the amount is not reliably estimated and there is no probability of cash outflow from the Bank to settle the liability, the related liability is considered as "contingent" and disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.

3.16       Contingent assets

The contingent assets usually arise from unplanned or other unexpected events that give rise to the possibility of an inflow of economic benefits to the Bank. If an inflow of economic benefits to the Bank has become probable, then the contingent asset is disclosed in the footnotes to the financial statements. If it has become virtually certain that an inflow of economic benefits will arise, the asset and the related income are recognized in the financial statements of the period in which the change occurs.

3.17       Liabilities for employee benefits

Severance indemnities and short-term employee benefits

As per the existing labour law in Turkey, the Bank is required to pay certain amounts to the employees retired or fired except for resignations or misbehaviours specified in the Turkish Labour Law.

Accordingly, the Bank reserved for employee severance indemnities in the accompanying financial statements using actuarial method in compliance with the Turkish Accounting Standard 19 (TAS 19) "Employee Benefits" for all its employees who retired or whose employment is terminated, called up for military service or died. The major actuarial assumptions used in the calculation of the total liability are as follows:

      The above rates are effective rates, whereas the rates applied for the calculation differ according to the employees' years-in-service.

The Bank provided for undiscounted short-term employee benefits earned during the financial periods as per services rendered in compliance with TAS 19.

The actuarial gains/losses are recognised under shareholders' equity as per the revised TAS 19.

Retirement benefit obligations

A defined benefit plan is a pension plan that defines an amount of pension benefit that an employee (and his/her dependents) will receive on retirement.

The Bank's defined benefit plan (the "Plan") is managed by "Türkiye Garanti Bankası Anonim Şirketi Memur ve Müstahdemleri Emekli ve Yardım Sandığı Vakfı" (the Fund) established as per the provisional article 20 of the Social Security Law no.506 and the Bank's employees are the members of this Fund.

The Plan is funded through contributions of both by the employees and the employer as required by Social Security Law numbered 506. These contributions are as follows:

The Plan is composed of a) the contractual benefits of the employees, which are subject to transfer to Social Security Foundation ("SSF") as per the Social Security Law no.5754 ("the Law"), and b) other social rights and medical benefits provided by the Bank but not transferable to SSF.

a) Benefits transferable to SSF

The first paragraph of the provisional article 23 of Banking Law no.5411, published in the Official Gazette on 1 November 2005, no.25983, which requires the transfer of the members of the funds subject to the provisional article 20 of the Social Security Law no.506, and the persons who are paid under insurance coverage for disablement, old-age and mortality and their right-holders to the SSF within three years following the effective date of the related article was cancelled with the decision of the Constitutional Court dated 22 March 2007, no.2007/33. The reasoned ruling regarding the cancellation of the Constitutional Court was published in the Official Gazette no.26731, dated 15 December 2007. The Constitutional Court stated that the reason behind this cancellation was the possible loss of antecedent rights of the fund members.

Following the publication of the verdict, the Turkish Grand National Assembly ("Turkish Parliament") started to work on the new legal arrangements by taking the cancellation reasoning into account and the articles of the Law no.5754 regulating the principles related with such transfers were accepted and approved by Turkish Parliament on 17 April 2008, and enacted on 8 May 2008 after being published in the Official Gazette no.26870.

As per the Law, the present value of post-employment benefits as at the transfer date for the fund members to be transferred, are to be calculated by a commission composing from the representatives of the SSF, the Ministry of Finance, the Undersecretariat of Treasury, the Undersecretariat of State Planning Organisation, the BRSA, the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund, the banks and the funds, by using a technical discount rate of 9.80% taking into account the funds' income and expenses as per insurance classes and the transferable contributions and payments of the funds including any salary and income differences paid by the funds above the limits of SSF for such payments.The transfers are to take place within the three-year period starting from 1 January 2008. Subsequently, the transfer of the contributors and the persons receiving monthly or regular income and their right-holders from such funds established for employees of the banks, insurance and reinsurance companies, trade chambers, stock markets and unions that are part of these organizations subject to the provisional article 20 of the Social Security Law no.506 to the SSF, has been postponed for two years. The decision was made by the Council of Ministers on 14 March 2011 and published in the Official Gazette no. 27900 dated 9 April 2011 as per the decision of the Council of Ministers, no.2011/1559, and as per the letter no. 150 of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security dated 24 February 2011 and according to the provisional article 20 of the Social Security and Public Health Insurance Law no.5510.

On 19 June 2008, Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi ("CHP") applied to the Constitutional Court for the cancellation of various articles of the Law including the first paragraph of the provisional Article 20. At the meeting of the Constitutional Court on 30 March 2011, it was decided that the first paragraph of the provisional Article 20 of the Law is not contradictory to the Constitutional Law, and accordingly the dismissal of the cancellation request has been denied with the majority of votes.

Before the completion of two-years period set by the Council of Ministers on 14 March 2011, as per the Article no. 51 of the law no. 6645, published in the Official Gazette no. 29335 dated 23 April 2015, the Article no. 20 of the law no. 5510 was amended giving the Council of Ministers the authority to determine the date of transfer without defining any timeline.

b) Other benefits not transferable to SSF

Other social rights and payments provided in the existing trust indenture but not covered through the transfer of the funds' members and their right-holders to the SSF, are to be covered by the funds and the institutions that employ the funds' members.

The actuarial gains/losses are recognised under shareholders' equity as per the revised TAS 19.

3.18       Taxation

3.18.1    Corporate tax

Effective from 1 January 2006, statutory income is subject to corporate tax at 20% in Turkey. This rate is applied to accounting income modified for certain exemptions (like dividend income) and deductions (like investment incentives), and additions for certain non-tax deductable expenses and allowances for tax purposes. If there is no dividend distribution planned, no further tax charges are made.

Dividends paid to the resident institutions and the institutions working through local offices or representatives are not subject to withholding tax. As per the decisions no.2009/14593 and no.2009/14594 of the Council of Ministers published in the Official Gazette no.27130 dated 3 February 2009, certain duty rates included in the articles no.15 and 30 of the new Corporate Tax Law no.5520 are revised. Accordingly, the withholding tax rate on the dividend payments other than the ones paid to the nonresident institutions generating income in Turkey through their operations or permanent representatives and the resident institutions is 15%. In applying the withholding tax rates on dividend payments to the nonresident institutions and the individuals, the withholding tax rates covered in the related Double Tax Treaty Agreements are taken into account. Appropriation of the retained earnings to capital is not considered as profit distribution and therefore is not subject to withholding tax.

The prepaid taxes are calculated and paid at the rates valid for the earnings of the related years. The prepayments can be deducted from the annual corporate tax calculated for the whole year earnings.

In accordance with the tax legislation, tax losses can be carried forward to offset against future taxable income for up to five years. Tax losses cannot be carried back to offset profits from previous periods.

In Turkey, there is no procedure for a final and definite agreement on tax assessments. Companies file their tax returns with their tax offices by the end of 25^th of the fourth month following the close of the accounting period to which they relate. Tax returns are open for five years from the beginning of the year that follows the date of filing during which time the tax authorities have the right to audit tax returns, and the related accounting records on which they are based, and may issue re-assessments based on their findings.

The tax applications for foreign branches;

NORTHERN CYPRUS

According to the Corporate Tax Law of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus no.41/1976 as amended, the corporate earnings (including foreign corporations) are subject to a 10% corporate tax and 15% income tax. This tax is calculated based on the income that the taxpayers earn in an accounting period. Tax base is determined by modifying accounting income for certain exclusions and allowances for tax purposes. The corporations cannot benefit from the rights of offsetting losses, investment incentives and amortisation unless they prepare and have certified their balance sheets, income statements and accounting records used for tax calculations by an auditor authorized by the Ministry of Finance. In cases where it is revealed that the earnings of a corporation were not subject to taxation in prior years or the tax paid on such earnings are understated, additional taxes can be charged in the next twelwe years following that the related taxation period. The corporate tax returns are filed in the tax administration office in April after following the end of the accounting year to which they relate. The corporate taxes are paid in two equal installments in May and October.

MALTA

The corporate earnings are subject to a 35% corporate tax. This rate is determined by modifying accounting income for certain exclusions and allowances for tax purposes. The earnings of the foreign corporations' branches in Malta are also subject to the same tax rate that the resident corporations in Malta are subject to. The earnings of such branches that are transferred to their head offices are not subject to an additional tax. The taxes payable is calculated by the obligating firm and the calculation is shown at the tax declaration form that is due till the following year's September and the payment is done till this date.

LUXEMBOURG

The corporate earnings are subject to a 21% corporate tax. This rate is determined by modifying accounting income for certain exclusions and allowances for tax purposes. An additional 7% of the calculated corporate income tax is paid as a contribution to unemployment insurance fund. 3% of the taxable income is paid as municipality tax in addition to corporate tax. The municipalities have the right to increase this rate up to 200%-350%. The municipality commerce tax, which the Bank's Luxembourg branch subject to currently is applied as 7.50% of the taxable income. The tax returns do not include any tax amounts to be paid.

The tax calculation is done by the tax office and the amount to be paid is declared to corporate through an official letter called Note. The amounts and the payment dates of prepaid taxes are determined and declared by the tax office at the beginning of the taxation period. The corporations whose head offices are outside Luxembourg, are allowed to transfer the rest of their net income after tax following the allocation of 5% of it for legal reserves, to their head offices.

3.18.2    Deferred taxes

According to the Turkish Accounting Standard 12 (TAS 12) "Income Taxes"; deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized, using the balance sheet method, on all taxable temporary differences arising between the carrying values of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and their corresponding balances considered in the calculation of the tax base, except for the differences not deductible for tax purposes and initial recognition of assets and liabilities which affect neither accounting nor taxable profit.

If transactions and events are recorded in the income statement, then the related tax effects are also recognized in the income statement. However, if transactions and events are recorded directly in the shareholders' equity, the related tax effects are also recognized directly in the shareholders' equity.

The deferred tax assets and liabilities are reported as net in the financial statements.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

3.18.3    Transfer pricing

The article no.13 of the Corporate Tax Law describes the issue of transfer pricing under the title of "Disguised Profit Distribution by Way of Transfer Pricing". "The General Communiqué on Disguised Profit Distribution by Way of Transfer Pricing" published at 18 November 2007, explains the application related issues on this topic. 

According to this communiqué, if the taxpayers conduct transactions like purchase and sale of goods or services with the related parties where the prices are not determined according to the arm's length principle, then it will be concluded that there is a disguised profit distribution by way of transfer pricing. Such disguised profit distributions will not be deducted from the corporate tax base for tax purposes.

As stated in the "7.1 Annual Documentation" section of this communiqué, the taxpayers are required to fill out the "Transfer Pricing, Controlled Foreign Entities and Thin Capitalization" form for the purchase and sale of goods or services conducted with their related parties in a taxation period, attach these forms to their corporate tax returns and submit to the tax offices.

3.19       Funds borrowed

The Bank, whenever required, generates funds from domestic and foreign sources in the form of borrowings, syndications, securitizations, and bill and bond issuances in the local and international markets.The funds borrowed are recorded at their purchase costs and valued at amortised costs using the effective interest method.

In cases where such funds are valued at their amortised costs and such application results in measurement or accounting inconsistencies due to having the relevant financial instruments valued using different methods or the related gains or losses are recorded differently, such fundings are valued and recorded at their fair values as per TAS 39 in order to minimise or prevent such inconsistencies.

3.20       Share issuances

None.

3.21       Confirmed bills of exchange and acceptances

Confirmed bills of exchange and acceptances are realized simultaneously with the customer payments and recorded in off-balance sheet accounts as possible debt and commitment, if any.

3.22       Government incentives

As of 31 December 2016, the Bank does not have any government incentives or grants.

3.23       Segment reporting

The Bank operates in corporate, commercial, retail and investment banking. Accordingly, the banking products served to customers are; custody services, time and demand deposits, accumulating deposit accounts, repos, overdraft facilities, spot loans, foreign currency indexed loans, consumer loans, automobile and housing loans, working capital loans, discounted bills, gold loans, foreign currency loans, Eximbank loans, pre-export loans, ECA covered financing, letters of guarantee, letters of credit, export factoring, acceptance credits, draft facilities, forfaiting, leasing, insurance, forward, futures, salary payments, investment account (ELMA), cheques, safety boxes, bill payments, tax collections, payment orders. GarantiCard, BonusCard, Miles&Smiles Card, FlexiCard, MoneyCard, BusinessCard under the brand names of Visa and Mastercard, virtual cards and also American Express credit cards and "Paracard" debit cards with Maestro, Electron, Visa and Mastercard brand names, are available.

The Bank provides service packages to its corporate, commercial and retail customers including deposit, loans, foreign trade transactions, investment products, cash management, leasing, factoring, insurance, credit cards, and other banking products. A customer-oriented branch network has been built in order to serve customers' needs effectively and efficiently. The Bank also utilizes alternative delivery channels intensively.

The Bank provides corporate banking products to international and national holdings in Turkey by coordinating regional offices, suppliers and intermediaries, utilizing cross-selling techniques. Mainly, it provides services through its commercial and mixed type of branches to export-revenue earning sectors like tourism and textile and exporters of Turkey's traditional agricultural products.

Additionally, the Bank provides banking services to enterprises and their employees working in retail and service sectors through product packages including overdraft accounts, POS machines, credit cards, cheque books, Turkish Lira and foreign currency deposits, investment accounts, internet banking and call-center, debit cards and bill payment modules.

Retail banking customers form a wide-spread and sustainable deposit base for the Bank. Individual customers' needs are met by diversified consumer banking products through branches and alternative delivery channels.

Information on the business segments is as follows:

 3.24         Other disclosures

None.

4         Financial Position and Results of Operations and Risk Management

4.1         Total capital

The capital items calculated as per the "Regulation on Equities of Banks" published on 5 September 2013, are presented below:

4.1.1      Components of total capital

^(*)   Under this item fully loaded amounts were reported for items that are subject to phasing in according to "Bank Capital Regulation" dated 1 January 2014.

The Bank plans its Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) Capital by considering 10% as the minimum target while considering its additional CET 1 requirements during the phase-in period due to aforementioned regulations.

4.1.2      Items included in capital calculation

              None.

4.1.3      Reconciliation of capital items to balance sheet

4.2         Credit risk

Credit risk is defined as risks and losses that may occur if the counterparty fails to comply with the agreement's requirements and cannot perform its obligations partially or completely on the terms set. In compliance with the legislation, the credit limits are set for the financial position and credit requirements of customers within the authorization limits assigned for Branches, Lending Departments, Executive Vice President responsible of Lending, General Manager, Credit Committee and Board of Directors. The limits are subject to revision if necessary.

The debtors or group of debtors are subject to credit risk limits. Sectoral risk concentrations are reviewed on a monthly basis.

Credit worthiness of debtors is reviewed periodically in compliance with the legislation by the internal risk rating models. The credit limits are revised and further collateral is required if the risk level of debtor deteriorates. For unsecured loans, the necessary documentation is gathered in compliance with the legislation.

Geographical concentration of credit customers is reviewed monthly. This is in line with the concentration of industrial and commercial activities in Turkey.

In accordance with the Bank's lending policies, the debtor's creditworthiness is analysed and the adequate collateral is obtained based on the financial position of the company and the type of loan; like cash collateral, bank guarantees, mortgages, pledges, bills and corporate guarantees.

The Bank has control limits on the position held through forwards, options and other similar agreements. Credit risk of such instruments is managed together with the risk from market fluctuations. The Bank follows up the risk arising from such instruments and takes the necessary actions to decrease it when necessary.

The liquidated non-cash loans are subject to the same risk weight with the overdue loans.

The Bank performs foreign trade finance and other interbank credit transactions through widespread correspondents network. Accordingly, the Bank assigns limits to domestic and foreign banks and other financial institutions based on review of their credit worthiness, periodically.

The Bank's largest 100 and 200 cash loan customers compose 25.48% (31 December 2015: 24.93%) and 32.15% (31 December 2015: 31.56%) of the total cash loan portfolio, respectively.

The Bank's largest 100 and 200 non-cash loan customers compose 52.48% (31 December 2015: 54.96%) and 61.81% (31 December 2015: 63.60%) of the total non-cash loan portfolio, respectively.

The Bank's largest 100 ve 200 cash and non-cash loan customers represent 9.26% (31 December 2015: 9.26%) and 11.84% (31 December 2015: 11.78%) of the total "on and off balance sheet" assets, respectively.

The general provision for credit risks amounts to TL 3,171,163 thousands (31 December 2015: TL 3,002,057  thousands).

The Bank developed a statistical-based internal risk rating model for its credit portfolio of corporate/ commercial/medium-size companies. This internal risk rating model has been in use for customer credibility assessment since 2003. Risk rating has become a requirement for loan applications, and ratings are used both to determine branch managers' credit authorization limits and in credit assessment process.

The concentration table of the cash and non-cash loans for the Bank according to the risk rating system for its customers defined as corporate, commercial and medium-size enterprises is presented below:

Total amount of exposures after offsetting transactions but before applying credit risk mitigations and the average exposure amounts that are classified in different risk groups and types, are disclosed below for the relevant period:

 ^(*)     Includes total risk amounts before the effect of credit risk mitigation but after credit conversions.

^(**)     Average risk amounts are the arithmetical average of the amounts in monthly reports prepared as per the Regulation on Measurement and Assessment of Capital Adequacy Ratios of Banks.

^(***)   Shares are reported under "Other Items" in the prior period.

4.2.1      Profile of significant exposures in major regions

^(*)   Includes OECD countries other than EU countries, USA and Canada.

^(**)  Includes assets and liabilitiy items that can not be allocated on a consistent basis.

^(***) Includes risk amounts before the effect of credit risk mitigation but after the credit conversions.