Turkey's Banking Sector Faces Unused Account Risks and ATM Cash Shortages

Financial experts warn Turkish citizens that many bank accounts and credit cards opened for salaries, loans or promotions are left unused for years. Unmonitored accounts can become targets for fraud, illegal money transfers and incur unnecessary fees, while forgotten balances of even small amounts add up over time. Authorities advise regular review and closure of unnecessary accounts and careful protection of IBAN details.

At the same time, high inflation has increased demand for cash, prompting banks to stock ATMs exclusively with 200 TL notes and to remove lower‑denomination bills. This shift aims to keep more cash available per machine but has sparked debate over the need for larger denominations such as 500 TL and 1,000 TL. Ziraat Bankası former deputy general manager Şenol Babuşçu highlighted the new ATM policy on social media, noting the operational challenges banks face in meeting cash needs.