Aydın’s intentions had been known for some time by coworkers and the changes were not unexpected as he had been trying for some time to transfer colleagues from Halk Bankası, where he used to work before taking the helm at Ziraat Bankası. He had faced resistance from the bank’s administration board for some time but Aydın recently countered this by presenting an ultimatum with the threat of an extraordinary meeting. The administration board then approved his decision this past week.

The Ziraat Bankası directors were notified in writing of their terminations on Tuesday evening. The written notifications revealed the extent of the operation and the large number of terminations did come as a surprise. Of the 13 assistant general managers, 11 were dismissed from their positions and two were transferred to other positions. The directors who lost their jobs were appointed to an advisory board.

Aydın took up the position of general manager at Turkey’s biggest public bank following the resignation of Can Akın Çağlar in July. Aydın is also currently the head of the Turkish Banks Association (TBB), a position he filled following former head Ersin Özince’s resignation in early April. Ziraat Bankası extends loans to farmers at low interest rates as part of the government’s policy to support agriculture in the country.