Turkey bank shares rise on relief over fines' size

The banking sector index .XBANK on the Istanbul bourse rose as much as 1.6 percent after the announcement, and traded 1.27 percent higher at 1350 GMT, while the 100-share index was just 0.6 percent up.

The banking index had slumped 6 percent on March 1 after banking executives said a ruling against the lenders could spark a sell-off.

"A mountain gave birth to a mouse. The fines are tiny, and banks are bouncing back," said one trader. The watchdog imposed fines totalling 72.3 million lira ($45.4 million) after a probe into collision among banks to attract companies wage deposits.

The fines were split as follows; Akbank (AKBNK.IS) 14.52 million lira, Isbank (ISCTR.IS) 12.987 million lira, Garanti Bank (GARAN.IS) 11.64 million lira, Vakifbank (VAKBN.IS) 8.226 million lira, Yapi Kredi Bank (YKBNK.IS) 14.211 million lira, Denizbank (DENIZ.IS) 2.881 million lira, and Finansbank (FINBN.IS) 7.863 million lira.

Citigroup holds a 20 percent stake in Akbank TAS, and Isbank is Turkey's biggest listed-lender.