According to the data of the Banks Association of Türkiye Risk Center, the amount of bounced checks in the first nine months of 2026 increased by 50 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching 270 billion lira. While difficulties in accessing finance, extended collection periods and payment risks in the real sector were discussed, business world representatives put forward different views on the check system and the need for legal regulation.
Making evaluations to Bloomberg HT, Sait Salici, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Footwear Subcontractors Association (AYSAD) and Burak Önder, Chairman of the Glassware Manufacturers Association (ZÜCDER), pointed out that payment security should be increased.
TOBB Ready-made Clothing and Apparel Council President Şeref Fayat stated that the current legal sanctions are sufficient and gave the message that those who endorsed the checks and the first drawer should be thoroughly investigated.
Release: Regulation on the Czech law must come very quickly
Stating that the increase in bounced checks poses a significant risk for industrialists, Tuesdayci said that the extension of payment terms increases the financial burden of companies. "Payment terms have become very long on our side. This is a very important issue. For our sector, both the maturities must be extended and the regulation in the check law must come very quickly," he said.
Arguing that the amount paid by banks for bounced checks in the current system is insufficient, he said, "When you go to the bank for a single-leaf check of one million or 10 million, you receive approximately 16 thousand liras. The check has no value."
According to the regulation determined by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey for 2026, the legal liability amount of banks for each check leaf in bounced checks is 16 thousand 350 lira.
Salici stated that this assurance is insufficient for high-amount commercial transactions and emphasized that a new check system should be implemented.
Önder: Extended payment terms increase the pressure on the sector
Glassware Manufacturers Association (ZÜCDER) President Burak Önder also stated that the contraction in the economy has begun to be felt, especially on the retail and consumer side. He stated that the sector has not yet experienced all the effects of the contraction, but the slowdown in shopping and the prolongation of collection periods pose a risk, and added: "There was a shock effect that stopped shopping, especially on the consumer and retail side. We are seeing an economic contraction. Payment terms have also become very long on our side."
He pointed out that the increase in bounced checks increases the trust problem in commercial relations and emphasized that the uncertainty about whether the checks will be collected on maturity negatively affects the cash flow of companies. He stated that the assurance mechanism in the check system should be strengthened and that the amount paid by banks in bounced checks is insufficient compared to the size of commercial transactions. He underlined the transition to a digital system.
He stated that the problems experienced in the collection of checks increased the pressure on industrialists and suppliers, and argued that a rapid regulation should be made in the Check Law and a secure check system should be introduced.
Fayat: Those who endorse the checks and the person who made the first draw should be thoroughly investigated
TOBB Ready-made Clothing and Apparel Council President Şeref Fayat stated that bounced checks increased in all sectors due to the congestion in the markets. He stated that extended payment terms in the ready-made clothing industry also create uneasiness and evaluated, "The longer the maturity in a company, the greater the total risk."
Drawing attention to the current sanctions in the check system, he said, "Perhaps payment by check is the safest payment tool. If you do not pay, you will go to jail. Here, those who endorse the checks and the original drawer should be thoroughly investigated. I think the check issue has sufficient regulation."
Fayat's assessment differed from industry representatives who wanted new legal regulation in the check system.
The last amendment to the Check Law was made in 2025
The last amendment to the Check Law No. 5941, which forms the basis of the check legislation in Turkey, came into force on December 19, 2025. With Law No. 7566, the practice that invalidates the presentation of post-dated checks to the bank before the date written on them has been extended until December 31, 2028.
A major change in the criminal sanctions for bounced checks was last made in 2016. While Law No. 6728 stipulates a judicial fine and a ban on issuing bad checks, it is also regulated that the judicial fine can be converted into a prison sentence in case of non-payment.
While the increase in the amount of bounced checks has brought the debates about how to ensure payment security in the real sector to the agenda again, the difference of opinion regarding the need for new regulations in the business world continues.
