Economy & Money
Exchange rates, inflation, banking, costs and decisions that affect daily life.
01Editorial visualTurkey's retail sales volume rose 10.1% in August — but turnover tells a different story
Retail volume grew 10.1% year on year while total trade volume edged up 0.6%. Nominal turnover climbed 31.8%, a separate measure that includes price effects.
6 min read · today, 11:21
02Editorial visualTurkey–Northern Cyprus payment-system link targets November: what is confirmed
The TRNC central bank governor says the two central banks have reached agreement and obtained approvals for an EÖS connection, with linkage expected by November. Retail fees, speed and participating banks have not yet been announced.
5 min read · today, 16:15
03Editorial visualTurkey revokes Parakolay’s e-money licence: what users should verify
The central bank decision removes Parakolay’s authority as an electronic-money institution. The Gazette gives no reason, refund calendar or account-migration plan, while official web listings had not fully caught up early on 10 October.
6 min read · today, 07:30
04Editorial visualTurkey's September real returns: government debt led the month, deposits the medium term
DİBS delivered a 1.40% CPI-adjusted monthly return, while gross deposits led over three and six months and bullion gold remained the twelve-month leader.
7 min read · today, 08:22
05Editorial visualTurkey keeps FTSE Advanced Emerging status and avoids the watch list
FTSE Russell left Turkey's market classification unchanged, while talks continue over the detail behind published free-float figures.
6 min read · today, 19:26
06Editorial visualTurkey doubles key customer-ID thresholds to TRY 370,000 and TRY 30,000
The new rules raise transaction and transfer thresholds, while allowing banks to omit a signature specimen after specified digital verification.
6 min read · today, 02:36
07Editorial visualTurkey’s annual inflation fell below 30% in September, but housing costs still rose fastest
CPI increased 1.84% in September and 29.73% over twelve months. Housing and transport remained well above the headline rate, which matters for residents and investors.
7 min read · today, 10:00
08Editorial visualFact-check: Turkey's investor compensation fund protection did not start in July 2026
SPK says the protection of the Investor Compensation Center's assets dates to the 2012 Capital Markets Law and subsequent regulations—not a new July 2026 rule.
5 min read · today, 20:36
09Editorial visualSPK keeps Turkey's relaxed margin-maintenance ratio until October 30
Brokerages may continue applying a 20% minimum maintenance-equity ratio instead of the standard 35% to eligible margin positions, but only when their own risk policies permit it.
6 min read · today, 02:18
10Editorial visualTurkey raises the credit-card minimum-payment threshold and revises phone-loan terms
Cards with limits up to TRY 100,000 now use a 20% minimum-payment ratio. New and refurbished phones have different 12-month loan thresholds.
6 min read · today, 11:24
11Editorial visualTürkiye–Ukraine free trade deal is in force: tariffs start in 2027
The agreement took effect on 1 October 2026, but its goods-tariff provisions begin on 1 January 2027. Services, investment, e-commerce and transport rules are also covered.
6 min read · today, 07:32
12Editorial visualBDDK puts shareholder rights at three investment banks under TMSF control
The measure covers specified non-dividend rights at Destek, Hedef and Tera investment banks. It is not a licence-revocation notice; two factoring companies also face six-month share-transfer orders.
6 min read · today, 15:18
13Editorial visualSPK opens voluntary repayment accounts linked to 131 liquidating funds
The new accounts let people who made excessive gains before liquidation voluntarily return them. They are not claim accounts for ordinary fundholders, and investors should not send money to them.
7 min read · today, 13:25
14Editorial visualTurkey's government deficit narrowed to 0.9% of GDP in 2025
TÜİK puts the 2025 general-government deficit at TL600.4bn, down from 3.4% to 0.9% of GDP. Gross debt nevertheless rose to 23.7% of GDP.
5 min read · today, 10:25
15Editorial visualTurkey sets two-stage gasoline excise rise for November and December
The excise amount on 95-octane petrol rises from TRY7.90 to TRY11.36 per litre on 1 November and to TRY14.8277 on 1 December. The decision does not fix the final pump price.
5 min read · today, 04:27
16Editorial visualTurkey's broad money grew 32.3% as household credit growth slowed
M3 reached TRY32.5 trillion in August and rose 3.9% in one month. Household lending still grew 37.8% annually, but its pace fell by 3.8 percentage points.
6 min read · today, 14:30
17Editorial visualTurkey's service producer prices rose 33.29% — transport costs led the main groups
The August index gained 2.87% in one month. Transport and storage rose 40.07% annually, while accommodation and food services increased 27.53%.
5 min read · today, 13:30
18Editorial visualTurkey's economic confidence rose to 101.3 — but the September picture is uneven
The composite index gained 0.7% from 100.6 in August. Consumer and retail confidence improved, while construction remained firmly below the neutral line.
5 min read · today, 10:19
19Editorial visualSPK orders TRHOL trading bans after review: what the 28 September bulletin says
SPK decided to file criminal complaints against 37 people after examining TRHOL transactions, listed two firms and 37 people under two-year trading prohibitions, and cancelled 23 individuals' licences for the ban period. These are regulatory decisions, not court convictions.
6 min read · today, 23:19
20Editorial visualTurkey resets FX conversion support from 1 October: the new tests for companies
The one-month no-FX-purchase pledge gives way to a 10% liquid-FX ratio. Export suppliers and tourism facilities can qualify through intermediary firms, while the temporary support rate remains 3%.
7 min read · today, 11:20
21Editorial visualSPK lifts another cap on Turkish share buybacks: what changed on 22 September
SPK has suspended the total-cost ceiling tied to distributable resources for buybacks made under its March 2025 framework. The decision expands flexibility, but it is not a buyback order or a promise of higher share prices.
5 min read · today, 18:23
22Editorial visualTurkey's consumer confidence rose to 91.9 in September, but stayed below neutral
The index increased from 90.8 in August to 91.9 in September. The 1.2% monthly rise signals improving sentiment, not broad consumer optimism or a forecast of spending growth.
4 min read · today, 10:22
23Editorial visualTurkey's factory confidence edged up to 102.5 in September
The adjusted index rose 0.1 point and stayed above the neutral 100 line. Export-order and production expectations weakened, while employment expectations improved.
5 min read · today, 18:24
24Editorial visualTurkey's factory capacity use rose to 74.1% in September
The seasonally adjusted rate increased by 0.6 percentage points from August. The survey covers 1,982 manufacturers and signals activity, not company profits or GDP growth.
5 min read · today, 17:21
25Editorial visualTurkey withdraws Bank Mellat's operating licence: what customers should verify
BDDK Decision 11572 removes the licence of Bank Mellat's Turkey branch operation. The notice does not set an individual payout date or say that every customer balance is lost.
6 min read · today, 01:22
26Editorial visualTurkey's short-term external debt rose 3.8% in July: what the $248.1bn maturity figure means
The original-maturity stock reached $177.1bn, while liabilities due within one year totalled $248.1bn. The two measures answer different questions and neither is a default forecast.
7 min read · today, 21:23
27Editorial visualTurkish fund bill proposes interim payments up to TRY 1 million
Bill No. 2/3939 is in parliamentary committee. It would create a special liquidation and recovery framework for unfinished cases; it is not yet law or a payment date.
12 min read · today, 18:20
28Editorial visualTCMB expands Turkish-lira liquidity tools after market volatility
The central bank will increase weekly repo funding, update banks' borrowing limits and reduce collateral haircuts. It did not change the policy rate.
6 min read · today, 13:20
29Editorial visualBorsa Istanbul triggered a market-wide circuit breaker after the BIST 100 fell more than 6%
Trading was paused at 16:04 and resumed at 16:24 on 16 September. The mechanism slows a sharp sell-off; it does not cancel trades or guarantee a rebound.
6 min read · today, 18:20
30Editorial visualTurkey market survey lifts 2026 inflation view to 29.61% and 12-month dollar forecast
The TCMB's September survey put the 12-month USD/TRY expectation at 58.6049 and next-meeting policy rate at 37%. These are responses from 67 participants, not central-bank targets.
6 min read · today, 14:26
31Editorial visualTCMB’s 37% rate hold: mortgage rates rose while lira deposits eased
The 17 September meeting summary put average lira deposit rates at 44.4% and housing loans at 41.9% on 4 September. Those market averages are not guaranteed customer offers.
7 min read · today, 16:21
32Editorial visualGold led Turkey's August real returns — but the six-month result was negative
TÜİK calculated a 7.93% monthly CPI-adjusted return for bullion gold, while deposits led over six months. The ranking changes sharply with the period and inflation measure.
7 min read · today, 10:56
33Editorial visualTurkey's 2027–2029 programme targets 4.2% growth next year and single-digit inflation by 2029
The new government framework estimates 2026 inflation at 28.4% and growth at 3.3%, then sets a 9% inflation objective for 2029. These are programme assumptions, not guaranteed outcomes.
7 min read · today, 15:19
34Editorial visualTurkey broadens export rediscount credit tax-relief wording beyond Eximbank
Decision No. 11723 and Communiqué 2026/3 add ‘other banks’ to the framework for tax, duty and fee exemptions tied to Central Bank rediscount credits. Ordinary commercial loans are not automatically covered.
6 min read · today, 06:19
35Editorial visualTurkey sets 10% withholding on specified corporate money-market fund gains
Decision No. 11734 targets specified corporate money-market fund gains and separately sets 10% for other taxpayers' gains outside sub-item (1). Product and taxpayer classification matter.
7 min read · today, 05:20
36Editorial visualTurkey's August imports grew faster than exports, leaving a $5.24bn goods gap
Exports rose 8.1% to $23.467bn and imports 10.5% to $28.706bn. Germany was the top export market, while intermediate goods drove most trade.
7 min read · today, 12:28
37Editorial visualTurkey inflation eased to 31.51% in August; September rent cap is 31.79%
Annual CPI slowed, but prices still rose 1.84% in August. Transport was the strongest monthly pressure, while the 12-month average sets September's standard rent-renewal ceiling.
8 min read · today, 10:24
38Editorial visualTurkey's economy grew 2.3% in Q2 2026 — what the headline tells investors
TÜİK's first estimate shows real GDP was 2.3% higher than a year earlier; a separate annual release puts full-year 2025 growth at 3.7%.
7 min read · today, 10:25
39Editorial visualTurkey's 29% tax-debt instalment deadline is today — who can still apply
Eligible debts can be deferred at 29% annual interest instead of 39%, but applications close on 31 August and the scheme is not a tax amnesty.
7 min read · today, 07:22
40Editorial visualFact check: Turkey says no current plan for a very large electricity price increase
An official 28 August bulletin rejects claims of an imminent, very high electricity tariff increase — but does not promise that prices can never change.
5 min read · today, 18:27
41Editorial visualTurkey's July trade gap widens 13.6% as imports outpace exports
Exports reached a July record, but imports grew faster and the goods deficit rose to $7.343 billion; the seasonally adjusted monthly picture was less negative.
8 min read · today, 10:18
42Editorial visualTurkey’s reserves rose to $188.4bn — but the weekly gain came from gold, not foreign currency
TCMB’s total gross reserves increased by $4.95bn in the week to 21 August. Gold rose by $5.89bn while gross FX reserves fell by $0.94bn.
6 min read · today, 17:25
43Editorial visualTurkey will cut the sunflower-seed import tariff earlier — but cooking oil prices are not guaranteed to fall
The 12% tariff will apply from 1 October instead of 30 November in 2026, a supply measure aimed at processors rather than a fixed retail-price reduction.
6 min read · today, 14:20
44Editorial visualTurkey revokes Payco and Junomoney e-money licences: what is confirmed
The CBRT decisions end both companies' authorisation, but the published texts do not set out a customer refund timetable or migration plan.
6 min read · today, 03:22
45Editorial visualTurkey triples the FAST transfer limit to TRY 300,000 from 26 August
The central bank is raising the per-transaction FAST limit from TRY 100,000 to TRY 300,000, while QR merchant payments will rise from TRY 250,000.
7 min read · today, 04:49
46Editorial visualTurkey labour costs rose 34% as construction hours accelerated
TÜİK's second-quarter indices show rising employer costs and a construction sector adding workers and hours, while industrial employment continued to contract.
8 min read · today, 13:25
47Editorial visualTurkey's farm input prices fell 0.92% in June, but annual pressure remained high
A monthly decline interrupted the recent rise, yet agricultural inputs still cost 32.06% more than a year earlier and fertiliser remained the main annual pressure point.
8 min read · today, 17:10
48Editorial visualTurkey's export producer prices jumped 2.51% in July despite slower annual inflation
The monthly rise accelerated from 0.46% in June, while the annual rate eased from 30.33% to 29.67% — a split signal for exporters, buyers and investors.
7 min read · today, 12:35
49Editorial visualTurkey unemployment fell to 7.9%, but industry shed 121,000 jobs
Second-quarter employment rose by 155,000 as services added 240,000 jobs, while broad labour underutilisation remained high at 29.9%.
6 min read · today, 12:30
50Editorial visualBank deposits delivered the best monthly real return in July
TÜİK calculated a 1.29% real monthly return on gross deposit interest after adjustment for consumer inflation.
5 min read · today, 08:25
51Editorial visualMarket participants expect inflation of 29.43% by the end of 2026
The new TCMB survey also shows an expectation of 48.19 lira per dollar by the end of the year and a rate of 35.25%.
6 min read · today, 16:18
52Editorial visualThe Turkish Central Bank raised its inflation forecast for the end of 2026 to 28%
TCMB's new forecast is two points higher than its May estimate; the target for the end of 2027 is left at 15%.
7 min read · today, 08:02
53Editorial visualFact check: why 28% and 24% of the Turkish Central Bank do not contradict each other
In the report, 28% is the central inflation forecast for the end of 2026, and 24% is the retained interim monetary policy target.
5 min read · today, 07:13
54Editorial visualToday the Central Bank of Turkey presents a new inflation forecast
On August 13, Enflasyon Raporu 2026-III is released - a key benchmark for rates, exchange rates, loans and the housing market.
6 min read · today, 08:18
55Editorial visualWhat do exchange rates mean for a foreigner living or investing in Turkey?
Prices, expenses and decisions without panic: separating daily fluctuations from long-term factors.
7 min read · today, 12:16