Strength from Leadership, Value from Experience.

As the founding partner of Atalay Financial Services, Umut Atalay has been involved in Financial Restructuring projects in Turkey and abroad for over 25 years. He currently manages the business development activities of a $500 million financial risk portfolio under Atalay Financial Services, serving Turkey's largest banks as an FR advisor.

Prior to Atalay Financial Services, Umut Atalay served as Turkey Director at London-based Resolute Asset Management, managing recovery projects for non-performing loan portfolios and distressed commercial real estate (shopping malls, offices, hotels) of foreign and Turkish banks. Between 2012-2018, he served as Investment Director and Investment Committee Member at Erdemir Group, one of Turkey's largest heavy industry conglomerates. He successfully managed the preparation and approval of the 10-year strategic investment plan (>$5 billion) for Erdemir and Isdemir.

Umut Atalay began his career at Kentbank in 1997 and continued at Denizbank in 1999. In 2000, he was part of the management team appointed by creditor banks to Turkey's first and then-largest Financial Restructuring – the Işıklar Holding FR project. He subsequently served as CFO in FR projects mandated by EBRD and Karadeniz Holding creditors. He has worked across numerous sectors including industrial textiles, steel industry, health technology products, carpets, kraft paper bags, construction materials, textiles, and construction.

Umut Atalay graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Economics, holds an MBA from Yeditepe University, and a Business certificate from The IEDC–Bled School of Management. He holds an advanced-level (Level 3) Capital Markets License (SPL). He also serves on the high council of Moda Marine Club and on the high council and congress of Fenerbahçe Sports Club.

Merve Atalay, with nearly 30 years of professional experience, has served in branch management and department management positions within the corporate and commercial banking divisions of Garanti BBVA Bank, one of Turkey's leading private banks; during this period, she provided banking services to a significant portion of Turkey's top 500 companies and played an active role in numerous financial restructuring (FR) projects.

She currently manages the business development processes of the $500 million financial risk portfolio together with Umut Atalay under Atalay Financial Services.

Prior to Atalay Financial Services, Merve Atalay served for 4 years as General Coordinator reporting to the Board of Directors at Adil Işık, a women's fashion retail company, where she was responsible for coordinating with the Board on defining core strategies, establishing human resources policies, implementing digital processes, and ensuring cross-departmental coordination.

Merve Atalay began her career in the banking sector as a Management Trainee (MT) and served in the corporate and commercial banking divisions of Garanti BBVA Bank throughout her career. She held branch management positions at various branches, most recently managing the establishment of the Ataşehir Commercial Branch and serving as its Commercial Branch Manager. She retired from the bank in 2021.

Merve Atalay graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Business Administration and holds an MBA from Yeditepe University.