Page 65 - TURKRptDec19

10/22/2019
First Hearing of 'the US vs Halkbank': Halkbank's lawyer does not attend, prosecutors call Halkbank 'fugitive', Berman gives two weeks, “I suppose that’s one way of integrating back into society someone who has been convicted of financial wrongdoing,” he jokes with appointment of Atilla at Borsa Istanbul as saying.
10/23/2019
Berman threatens Halkbank with sanctions if it fails to attend second hearing
11/5/2019
Halkbank’s attorney, Andrew Hruska of King & Spalding, laughs out of court at second hearing of the US vs. Halkbank, requesting a “special” appearance to seek the dismissal of the case against Halkbank on the grounds of jurisdiction, stating that his client would not recognise the US proceedings. The destiny of the case is currently unknown.
11/12/2019
NBC reported that John Bolton had suggested thatTrump’s approach to policy on Turkey is motivated by personal or financial interests
11/12/2019
The Trump Organization does not supply the requested information by some Democrat senators on Trump’s profits on Trump Tower Istanbul as deadline passes
11/14/2019
No comment on Halkbank after a Trump-Erdogan White House meeting.
11/20/2019
A US Treasury official acknowledges in a letter to a Democratic senator that Trump told the US Treasury Department and Justice Department to look into the impact of sanctions on Halkbank after Mnuchin had seven meetings with senior Turkish officials from April 2017 to November 2019.
12/5/2019
Judge Berman orders Halkbank must enter a formal plea to charges
2/5/2020
Halkbank will repay $750mn (XS0882347072) in eurobonds.
8.1.7 ​Banks news
Chinese lender ICBC’s Turkey unit ICBC Turkiye Yatirim has agreed to buy the “Istanbul Tower” high-rise office building in the Turkish commercial capital’s Levent business district for $594mn​, Yesil Real Estate Investment Trust (Yesi REIT) has announced in a filing with Borsa Istanbul, confirming reports in local media.
ICBC is buying the property, in which Yesil REIT holds a 25% stake, from Zincir Yapi.
Yesil REIT said Zincir Yapi has accepted ICBC’s offer, but that talks were under way to put the final touches on the sales deal
“The final agreement has not yet been signed between the parties,” Yesil REIT said.
ICBC Turkey carries out activities in the fields of corporate banking, commercial banking, SME banking and retail banking. It has 43 branches and around 50 ATMs across the country.
65​ TURKEY Country Report​ December 2019 ​ ​www.intellinews.com