06.12.2024 15:01
Hakan Ateş, who has served as the Founding General Manager of DenizBank since 1997, wrote a farewell letter due to his upcoming departure from the position of General Manager of DenizBank at the end of 2024.
While the trial continues regarding the high-yield fund fraud, in which Seçil Erzan is the primary defendant, a surprising development occurred at DenizBank.
Hakan Ateş, who has served as the bank's general manager for 27 years, announced his resignation from the general manager position in a letter to employees. The name of his successor has also been revealed.
SENT A FAREWELL LETTER
Hakan Ateş, who is stepping down from his role as the Founding General Manager of DenizBank after 27 years and will continue his professional life as a Member of the Bank's Board of Directors, sent a farewell letter to bank employees.
In his letter, he addressed many topics, from the significant steps taken during the 27 years since the establishment of DenizBank to major acquisitions during times when crises were turned into opportunities.
Emphasizing that the words 'common sense, teamwork, the ideal of serving the country, investment in shares, and prioritizing people' come to mind when DenizBank is mentioned, Ateş stated, "If we remove DenizBank's contribution to the economy and its benefit banking approach that serves production and development from the equation, you can be sure that many areas in our country that need financing will remain lacking. We have a trace and effort in every inch of this land," highlighting the added value to the country's economy.
Evaluating DenizBank's current situation in his letter, Ateş used the following expressions: "As of today, we have a market share of over 15% in all the sectors we have embraced for the future of our country; tourism, maritime, education, health, infrastructure, energy, and sports. Our share in total projects and long-term loans is over 10%. We are number one in financing tourism, which brings foreign currency to Turkey and provides employment. In agriculture, where we aim to rescue farmers from the hands of usurers and give them a business identity, we lead with a 52% market share among private banks during a time when no one dared to take ownership."
HIGHLIGHTED THE BANK'S SUCCESSES DURING HIS TERM
Today, Deniz Leasing and Deniz Factoring, which are first in profitability, DenizBank AG, the largest Turkish bank abroad, DenizBank Moscow, one of Russia's important financial institutions, Deniz Investment, which is also very ahead in profitability, Deniz Portfolio, which rose from sixth to second place within a year gaining significant momentum, Intertech, which exports technology abroad, and all our subsidiaries, including Deniz GYO, are leaders in their sectors. All of these are manifestations of the agile banking approach that has been very much on the agenda worldwide for the last 20 years and has been embodied in the portal strategy we have implemented since our establishment, and they are our sources of pride."
COMPLAINTS: WE WERE DEFRAUDED OF 44 MILLION DOLLARS
In the case where Seçil Erzan is being tried, it was claimed that the complainants were defrauded of 44 million dollars. In the indictment prepared regarding Hakan Ateş, 24 people filed complaints. Among these names were prominent figures in Turkey. The indictment included complaints from Fatih Terim, Arda Turan, Emre Belözoğlu, Fernando Muslera, Selçuk İnan, Emre Çolak, Fatih Terim's daughter Buse Terim, and his ex-wife Volkan Bahçeli.
INDICTMENT WAS NOT ACCEPTED
A total prison sentence of 72 to 240 years was requested for Hakan Ateş. Later, the relevant indictment was not accepted and was sent back to the chief public prosecutor's office.
RECEP BAŞTUĞ TO REPLACE HAKAN ATEŞ
Recep Baştuğ, the former general manager of Garanti BBVA, will replace Hakan Ateş. It has also been reported that Hakan Ateş will continue his journey with the bank as a member of the Denizbank Board of Directors.