TY - JOUR T1 - Navigating Export Finance in Turkiye: Key Drivers of Bank Selection AU - Gümüş, Nihat AU - Bahari, Soraiya PY - 2025 DA - August Y2 - 2025 DO - 10.26650/JEPR1697202 JF - İktisat Politikası Araştırmaları Dergisi JO - JEPR PB - İstanbul Üniversitesi WT - DergiPark SN - 2148-3876 SP - 446 EP - 466 VL - 12 IS - 2 LA - en AB - In an increasingly competitive global trade environment, selecting the right banking partner is crucial for exporters. The primary objective of this study is to identify the key factors affecting the bank selection decisions of exporters in Turkiye. The study evaluates participants’ opinions on 32 variables using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using the data collected from a sample composed of the representatives of 130 exporting SMEs. Exploratory factor analysis using the principal component method is utilized to discern underlying dimensions. The exploratory factor analysis ended up with five dimensions identifying firms’ decisions on bank selection. These dimensions are labelled as comprehensive export support and convenience in banking services, expertise in international trade and client engagement, religious alignment and ethical banking, customer loyalty and cost considerations, and peer influence and cultural integration. The study contributes to the literature in three ways. First, the study develops a new scale to assess bank selection from the viewpoint of exporting firms rather than retail customers. Second, the study addresses a research gap in institutional banking by illuminating the export sector through data from Türkiye, an emerging market country that relies heavily on exports for economic growth. Finally, the study provides practical advantages for exporters and banking institutions. While the exporters can use the identified factors to make informed decisions in selecting banks, banks can customize their services to address exporters' specific requirements, thereby improving market competitiveness.JEL Classification : G21 , F14 , C38 KW - Banking KW - Bank Selection Criteria KW - Export financing KW - Explanatory Factor Analysis KW - Turkiye CR - Almossawi, M. (2001). Bank selection criteria employed by college students in Bahrain: an empirical analysis International Journal of Bank Marketing, 115-125. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/02652320110388 540/full/html google scholar CR - Al-Tamimi, H., Lafi, A. and Uddin, M. (2016). Bank Image in the UAE: Comparing Islamic and Conventional Banks In H. A. Al-Tamimi, A. google scholar CR - S. Lafi, M. H. Uddin, T. Harrison, & E. Ibrahim (Eds.), Islamic Finance: Principles, Performance and Prospects (pp. 46-65). 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