Would you like to have your watchlist on all your devices? Log in or register for free.
Turkey’s First Floating Bank Branch
In a city defined by water, ferries, and daily crossings, Türkiye İş Bankası is preparing to introduce a banking experience unlike anything Turkey has seen before.
Set to open in 2026 at Istanbul’s Galataport, İş Vapur will become the country’s first floating bank branch - offering full banking services from a permanently moored ferry on the Bosphorus.
At first glance, a bank on a boat may sound like a novelty. But İş Vapur is designed to be much more than that. While cruise ships around the world offer limited financial assistance - typically currency exchange or payment services handled at guest desks - this project brings a fully functioning bank branch onto the water for the first time in Turkey.
Customers will be able to walk aboard and handle everyday banking needs just as they would on land, only this time with views of the Bosphorus replacing traditional office walls.
Why Galataport?
Galataport is one of Istanbul’s most vibrant waterfront destinations, welcoming cruise passengers, visitors, and locals throughout the year. By placing İş Vapur here, İş Bankası is positioning itself at the meeting point of maritime life and urban living - serving international travelers, yacht crews, port professionals, and Istanbul residents alike.
Permanently docked along the waterfront, the vessel will operate as a full-service branch rather than a mobile unit. Inside, customers can expect personal banking services, customer support, and advisory consultations, all delivered in a calm, maritime-inspired setting.
With İş Vapur, banking in Istanbul is about to gain a new perspective - one shaped by the rhythm of the Bosphorus itself.
