JCR Eurasia Rating, has evaluated the consolidated structure of “Banka Kombetare Tregtare Sh.A.” in the investment-level category with highest credit quality and affirmed the Long-Term National Issuer Credit Rating at ‘AAA (alb)’ and the Short-Term National Issuer Credit Rating at ‘J1+ (alb)’ with ‘Stable’ outlooks. On the other hand, the Long Term International Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Credit Ratings and outlooks have been revised to ‘BB+/Stable’ from ‘BB’ in line with the sovereign ratings and outlooks of Albania.
Banka Kombetare Tregtare Sh.A. (referred to as “the Bank” or “BKT”) is a consolidated entity comprising banking operating in Albania, Kosovo and Albania Leasing. The history of the Bank dates back to 1993 in its current name, when it was founded after the merger of the Albanian Commercial Bank and the National Bank of Albania. The Bank is owned by Çalık Holding A.Ş. (hereinafter referred to as ‘Çalık Holding’), a leading Türkiye based conglomerate which acquired BKT in 2009.
As the oldest and largest commercial bank in Albania, the Bank offers a wide range of products and services to the public & private sectors as well as retail banking services for individuals.
The Bank maintains its leading position in the highly concentrated Albanian banking sector, consistently ranked first with respect to assets and net income until 1H2024. Due to its considerable asset size and scale of its operations, BKT is a systemically important bank in Albania. The Bank is well-capitalized maintains sound profitability indicators.
As of December 31, 2023, BKT operates principally in the Republic of Albania through 60 branches and 3 custom agencies, in addition to 22 branches in Kosovo, organized under subsidiary BKT Kosovo Sh.A. The Bank had a workforce of app. 1,516.