ISTANBUL, March 16 (Reuters) - Turkey's VakıfBank has

signed a 1.5 billion euro ($1.7 billion)10-year loan agreement

with international financial institutions under a World

Bank-backed programme aimed at boosting access to finance and

employment, the bank said in a statement.

* Loan backed by a counter-guarantee from Turkey's Treasury

and Finance Ministry.

* Includes a partial guarantee from the member of World Bank

Group IBRD (International Bank for Reconstruction and

Development).

* Santander, BNP Paribas, Standard Chartered ( SCBFF ) and ING

participated.

* Bank says it is the largest funding transaction of its

kind in Turkey's banking sector involving international

development institutions.

* Aims to expand financing for micro, small and medium-sized

enterprises.

* Targets economic recovery in earthquake-affected regions

and also aiming ease of financing access for women and young

entrepreneurs.

($1 = 0.8718 euros)