Banka Kombëtare Tregtare
| Company type | Joint-stock company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking |
| Predecessor | Banka Tregtare Shqiptare (BTSH), Banka Kombëtare e Shqipërisë (BKSH) |
| Founded | January 1993 |
| Headquarters | Tirana , Albania |
Area served | Albania, Kosovo |
| Products | Commercial banking services |
| Owner | Çalik Financial Services |
| Website | bkt |
Banka Kombëtare Tregtare (BKT) stands as Albania's most prominent and longest-established commercial bank, tracing its roots back to the National Bank of Albania founded in 1925. As of 2021, it commanded a market share of 26.11%.
Establishment
During the early 1990s, Albania transitioned its banking system into a two-tier framework. In 1991, Banka Tregtare Shqiptare (BTSH) was formed to oversee foreign trade activities for state enterprises, while Banka Kombëtare e Shqipërisë (BKSH) was created in 1992 to manage domestic trade operations. The assets and liabilities of these two institutions were eventually merged to create BKT.
BKT came into existence in January 1993 through the fusion of BTSH and BKSH and was reorganized as a joint-stock company by July 1997, with total assets amounting to ALL 2.7 billion.
Privatization
The privatization process of BKT was finalized in 2000 when the Albanian Parliament authorized the sale of shares to a consortium consisting of Kentbank (60%), the International Finance Corporation (20%), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (20%). Ownership officially transferred on 17 October 2000, accompanied by a recapitalization injection of US$10 million.
Starting in 2001, under new ownership and management, BKT embarked on extensive operational reforms, including enhancements in infrastructure, workforce, procedural frameworks, and IT systems. By February 2003, its paid-up capital increased to US$14.64 million, positioning it as Albania’s most capitalized bank.
In 2006, majority control (60% plus two shares) was acquired by Çalik-Seker Konsorsiyum Yatirim A.S. from Kentbank. After expanding into Kosovo in September 2007, BKT operated a network of 24 branches, establishing itself as the leading Albanian bank within the region.
On 30 June 2009, Çalik Financial Services purchased the shares held by IFC and EBRD, becoming the sole owner of BKT.