Turk Ekonomi Bankasi (TEB) was announced winner of the award for Customer Focus at the prestigious European Business Awards ceremony held in Istanbul. RSM, sponsor of the Awards, is the seventh largest worldwide network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms.

The ceremony, attended by over 250 entrepreneurs and business professionals, marks the culmination of a year-long decision-making process which began with over 15,000 businesses and ended with just 100 Ruban d’Honneur finalists attending the event in the hope of becoming one of the ten category winners, including the award for customer focus. 

Established in 1927 as a small-scale regional bank, TEB initiated SME banking in 2005 with the aim to become the go-to consultant bank for small to medium enterprise. To this end, TEB initiated the SME consulting project in 2008, with the collaboration of a leading university and consulting firm.

An extensive and prestigious judging panel made up of European business leaders, academics and entrepreneurs have been involved in the robust awards process which included written submissions, video entry judging and face-to-face presentations. Entrants have been judged on a vast array of business markers, including innovation, ethics and international mind-set.

The Awards offer entrants unparalleled opportunities to network and share best practice, as well as providing a chance to meet like-minded businesses from across Europe, with a view to forging new and successful business relationships.

Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM, says: “TEB impressed by targeting a market sector which is traditionally underserved, and creating an end-to-end client offering. The SME market has been neglected by the banking sector in many European countries, but TEB was able to create an innovative and unique offering that other banks will struggle to emulate.”

mulEntries for the 2013/14 Awards programme are open until 21 June 2013, from which up to 800 National Champions will then be shortlisted. For more information, or to register your interest in the 2013/14 awards, please visit:www.businessawardseurope.com.

ENDS