Statement of compliance with GRI principles
Ziraat Bank declares that this report was prepared in accordance with Level A of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Reporting Guide version 3.1.

Scope of the report
This is the first sustainability report published by Ziraat Bank.

Ziraat Bank’s sustainability performance, as covered by this report, is primarily concerned with a variety of economic, social and environmental issues These issues are considered from the standpoints of stakeholders, the corporate structure, banking, the environment, human resources and the community.

This report, designed to provide stakeholders with access to detailed and current information on the Bank’s sustainability performance, enriches Ziraat Bank’s information sharing, reporting and transparency traditions. The report is designed to demonstrate Ziraat Bank’s accountability and transparency and to record its corporate performance, while also showing how sustainability is being integrated into all aspects of the Bank’s business.

In addition, the report serves as a research and teaching tool for the Bank’s internal and external stakeholders and drives best practices throughout the Bank.

The matters considered in this report were determined in light of systematic and internationally recognized auditing procedures carried out at Ziraat Bank during 2013 as a result of discussions and meetings held with members of the Bank’s top and middle management and also on the basis of stakeholder feedback.

The Bank’s Sustainability Policy was approved by the Board of Directors on 30 September 2014. The content of this report is limited to Ziraat Bank’s own activities and does not cover the Bank’s subsidiaries and affiliates.

The information contained in the sustainability report is supplemented by other Ziraat Bank reports and documents.

Period covered by the report
Unless otherwise indicated, this report covers the period of 1 January 2013 - 31 December 2013. The information provided in this report will serve as a benchmark in any future sustainability reports which Ziraat Bank may publish.

Reporting cycle
Ziraat Bank will continue to report on its sustainability performance at 12-month intervals in the future.

Reporting content and external assurance
The performance of Ziraat Bank undergoes periodic inspection and approval by public agencies and organizations.

The information in this scope are summarized below:

1. Ziraat Bank financial information is subject to annual independent reporting. Its 2013 performance was audited by Başaran Nas Bağımsız Denetim ve Serbest Muhasebeci Mali Müşavirlik A.Ş. (see 2013 Annual Report page 82)
2. Ziraat Bank financial information is subject to BDDK and Court of Account.
3. Ziraat Bank information systems are subject to independent auditing once every two years while its banking processes are independently audited every year. (2013 audit was performed by PwC.)
4. Ziraat Bank has an Internal Audit system.
5. Ziraat Banks account and transactions are audited annually by TBMM KİT commission.
6. Ziraat Bank’s human resources transactions are audited by Labor Ministry inspectors.
7. Ziraat Bank consumer related transactions and processes are audited by Customs and Trade Ministry inspectors presumed to applicable Consumer Protection and Trade Law.

How this report is published
Ziraat Bank’s Sustainability Report was published in Turkish and English. For PDF file of the report:
http://www.ziraatbank.com.tr/en/InvestorRelations/CorporateGovernance/Pages/SustainabilityReports.aspx