Selva Akay
Vice President – Wholesale Banking | Transaction Services Sales
Istanbul
Summary
Dynamic banking executive with extensive experience at ING Turkiye, specializing in strategic relationship management and cross-functional project leadership. Proven track record in driving client acquisitions and enhancing client loyalty through innovative cash management solutions. Strong analytical skills combined with effective negotiation abilities ensure optimal financial outcomes and client satisfaction.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
9
9
Certifications
Work History
Vice President, WB MNC Transaction Services Sales
ING Turkiye
11.2021 - Current
- Lead and manage a portfolio of existing and prospect MNC clients, delivering tailored transaction banking solutions across cash management and trade finance
- Design and execute strategic sales pitches for Requests for Proposals (RFPs), resulting in client acquisitions and renewals
- Analyze client transaction behavior and financial flows to identify cross-selling opportunities between PCM and TFS product lines, increasing share-of-wallet
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Treasury, Compliance, Risk, Product Management and Legal to execute client mandates efficiently and compliantly
- Drive ING’s digital transformation initiatives, managing key digitization and Net Promoter Score (NPS) projects since 2019 to enhance client experience and loyalty
- Act as a strategic advisor to clients during market volatility, helping them manage liquidity, optimize daily banking operations, and navigate regulatory complexities
- Present business development progress and financial analytics to senior management and the Executive Committee, aligning with corporate objectives
- Develop onboarding and implementation strategies for complex cash management structures, account rationalization, and in-country banking solutions
- Mentor team members, fostering knowledge transfer and collaborative execution across global and local banking teams.
Ass. Vice President, Transaction Services Sales
ING Turkiye
12.2014 - 11.2021
- Focused on domestic and multinational clients’ onboarding, cash management, trade finance and structuring solutions
- Activated new Supply Chain programs, managing onboarding process of new suppliers and agreement negotiation process with technical details between buyers, suppliers, operation, product, legal and ORM teams while integrating with Fintechs
- Led coordination of digital transformation and analytics in Transaction Services
STA | Regional Green Light Committee (GLC)
ING Group
11.2016 - 03.2017
- Acted as a business manager in ING’s central Green Light Committee, working cross-functionally with regional and head office teams
- Supported strategic coordination between regional commercial activities and head office governance to enable consistent client delivery across markets
- Contributed to the evaluation and approval of client onboarding and complex commercial proposals with cross-border implications
- Ensured full alignment on legal, compliance, credit risk, and operational readiness before onboarding key clients
- Identified commercial opportunities through cross-sell discussions with managers from Transaction Services, Lending and Financial Markets
- Distributed minutes of the meetings upon the consent of Head of Compliance and Chairman of GLC
- Supported preparation of Virtual Cash Management (VCM) map
Specialist, Transaction Services Sales
ING Turkiye
06.2013 - 12.2014
- Guided SME, Large Corp and WB clients to choose relevant TS products by analyzing the clients’ needs and offer payment options such as Bulk Payment/Swiftnet integration/local e-banking platform, on the collection side such as Direct Debit System (w/Bank guarantee), cash and cheques collections; Import Financing Products; Letter of Credits (LC), Post financing, Deferred LC discounting, Letter of Guarantees, Export Financing Products; Export LC Discounting.
- Shared the annual/monthly targets with Relationship Managers (RMs) and monitoring the usage of Cash Management products, taking actions to increase the product usage.
- Developed alternative products as per the client expectation with product development department.
Specialist, Retail Banking Marketing & Sales
ING Turkiye
03.2011 - 06.2013
- Led tailor-made projects from onboarding to monitoring local management approvals, preparing protocols and presentations, coordinating sales channels and matching targeted project efficiency
- Increased sales volume and profitability assimilate sales-oriented understanding, monitoring up and supporting all retail banking products
- Enabled coordination between Head Office and Regional Offices supported with off-balance sheet product campaigns
Assistant Specialist, Agency and Bank Branches
Axa Insurance
05.2009 - 03.2011
- Negotiated all sales and marketing needs of agents
- Managed agency performance, profitability and organized trainings
- Transferred the company policies and strategies to agencies periodically.
Education
Master of Science - Banking And Insurance
Marmara University
Istanbul 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Banking And Insurance
Marmara University
Istanbul 04.2001 -
Skills
Strong multitasking and time management skills
Certification
Authentic Leadership, ING Turkiye, Istanbul
Timeline
Authentic Leadership, ING Turkiye, Istanbul
02-2025
Commercial Excellence Consultative Sales, ING Group Amsterdam
03-2024
Dialogues with the CFO, ING Group Rotterdam
09-2023
Vice President, WB MNC Transaction Services Sales
ING Turkiye
11.2021 - Current
Digital Certificate Programme, Sabancı University Istanbul
03-2021
Earn the Primary Relationship with the Treasurer, ING Group Utrecht
10-2018
Eurofinance Cash Management and Treasury Training, London
08-2017
STA | Regional Green Light Committee (GLC)
ING Group
11.2016 - 03.2017
Coaching Programme-Team & Crisis Management, ING Turkiye Istanbul
02-2016
Virtual Cash Management Workshop, ING Group Budapest
12-2015
Ass. Vice President, Transaction Services Sales
ING Turkiye
12.2014 - 11.2021
Specialist, Transaction Services Sales
ING Turkiye
06.2013 - 12.2014
Specialist, Retail Banking Marketing & Sales
ING Turkiye
03.2011 - 06.2013
Assistant Specialist, Agency and Bank Branches
Axa Insurance
05.2009 - 03.2011
Certificate of Advanced Level Turkish Capital Market License
01-2008
Master of Science - Banking And Insurance
Marmara University
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Banking And Insurance
Marmara University
04.2001 -