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QNB Türkiye has begun relocating its critical business units to a newly established headquarters in Ankara, aiming to ensure uninterrupted operations in the event of a major earthquake or other emergencies in Istanbul.
The new headquarters is expected to employ 830 people once fully staffed, and the bank will also transfer its data center to Ankara with an investment exceeding $100 million.
Scientists have long warned of a high probability of a major earthquake striking Istanbul, which lies near the North Anatolian Fault—one of the most active seismic zones in the world. Experts estimate a strong quake is likely to occur within the next few decades, potentially causing severe damage to infrastructure and disrupting life in Türkiye’s largest city and financial hub.
The Ankara office has already become operational with an initial team of 424 employees, and new hires are set to raise this number to 830. As part of its broader risk and crisis management strategy, the bank is regularly updating its emergency response plans and providing employees with extensive training on disaster scenarios. In parallel, QNB is reinforcing its IT infrastructure to prevent data loss and maintain continuous service during emergencies.
QNB Türkiye CEO Omur Tan noted that the bank has comprehensively restructured its operational framework to ensure business continuity and maximize employee safety under extraordinary conditions. “We are making strategic investments to guarantee uninterrupted service and protect our staff,” he said.
“Our new Ankara headquarters is a concrete example of this strategy. In the event of a major disaster, our priority is to continue serving our customers without interruption. We believe this move will not only benefit QNB but also strengthen Türkiye’s financial system.”
Tan added that the Ankara facility has been designed to take over all operations seamlessly in case of a major disruption in Istanbul. “Guided by our Risk Management team, we identified essential business processes and roles to maintain operational continuity. We’ve taken steps to back up these functions and reinforce the necessary infrastructure. The center has been equipped with data backup systems to ensure the resilience of our banking operations.”
Originally founded in 1987 as Finansbank, the institution was acquired by Qatar National Bank (QNB) in 2015 and officially renamed QNB Türkiye in October 2024. As of May 2025, the bank reports total assets of ₺1.7 trillion ($43.85 billion).
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