Abstract
After the complex socio-political environment of the 19th century, modernist and nationalist movements began to rise significantly at the beginning of the following century. In Iran and Turkey, similar political and social circumstances caused these movements to operate boldly. Various reforms initiated by national-cum-modern governments led by comparable leaders in both countries, started new chapters in different fields in their countries; architecture was among them. Financial reforms were one of these which brought the need for new financial buildings to symbolize the national power and economical independence. Therefore, in both countries, the most famous architects of the period were chosen to design the new style of financial buildings which were going to be the important examples of the modern architectural style combined with the nationalist approach. This study aims to examine the architecture of the 20th-century financial structures in Iran and Turkey, to obtain information about the architectural ideologies affected by nationalism and modernization in both countries during this period. For this purpose, the case studies were selected among the significant financial buildings of the period such as Sepah Bank by Vartan Hovanessian, Melli Bank by Mohsen Foroughi, Turkish Central Bank by Clemens Holzmeister, and Ziraat Bank by Giulio Mongeri.