Akbank and Türkiye’s Credit Guarantee Fund (KGF) have introduced the country’s first fully digital KGF-backed loan solution, allowing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to complete the entire guaranteed lending process through Akbank Mobile without visiting a bank branch.
The initiative was announced during a signing ceremony attended by KGF General Manager Hasan Basri Kurt and Akbank CEO Kaan Gür, marking the first time a KGF-guaranteed loan has been delivered through a fully end-to-end digital channel.
SMEs Can Apply Entirely Through Mobile Banking
The new Digital KGF Loan is designed to simplify financing for SMEs that require credit guarantee support by enabling applications, approvals, and completion of the lending process through Akbank’s mobile banking platform within minutes.
Sole proprietorships can access loans of up to TRY2.2 million, while incorporated businesses are eligible for financing of up to TRY5 million, with repayment terms extending to 36 months.
Türkiye’s First Fully Digital KGF-Backed Loan
Akbank CEO Kaan Gür said the initiative reflects the bank’s strategy of using technology to simplify banking for business customers.
“At Akbank, we use technology to make life easier for businesses. In recent years, we have transformed Akbank Mobile into an integral part of our SME customers’ daily operations by digitalizing numerous banking processes,” Gür said.
“With this partnership, our customers can access Digital KGF Loans through Akbank Mobile within minutes. As a result, KGF-backed financing is being offered through a completely digital process for the first time in Türkiye.”
Gür added that Akbank was pleased to become KGF’s first banking partner for the new digital lending model and thanked the institution for its collaboration.
Improving SME Access to Finance
KGF General Manager Hasan Basri Kurt said expanding SMEs’ access to financing remains one of the institution’s core objectives, given the sector’s critical contribution to employment and economic growth in Türkiye.
“As KGF, our primary mission is to ensure that SMEs have effective access to financing. Together with Akbank, we are pleased to introduce an end-to-end digital guarantee process after an intensive and meticulous development effort,” Kurt said.
He noted that the project was made possible through close cooperation between both organizations and highlighted the importance of trust and professional collaboration throughout the development process.
Digital Transformation in SME Banking
The launch represents another step in the digital transformation of Türkiye’s SME banking sector, reducing paperwork and shortening the time required for businesses to access guaranteed financing.
By moving the KGF guarantee process entirely online, the partnership aims to improve financial accessibility for businesses while streamlining one of the country’s most widely used SME financing mechanisms.
Why It Matters
SMEs account for the vast majority of businesses in Türkiye, making efficient access to finance essential for investment, employment, and economic growth. By digitizing the KGF-backed lending process for the first time, Akbank and KGF are setting a new benchmark for SME banking, demonstrating how technology can simplify guaranteed financing while reducing administrative barriers for entrepreneurs.
