By using data from thirteen publicly traded commercial and deposit banks this paper estimates the determinants of market risk for banks' equities in the case of an emerging market economy, Turkey. The analysis reveals that maturity composition of banks' loans, share of trading income in banks' overall revenue stream and its foreign-ownership structure are important indicators of the volatility of its equity returns. Banks with shorter loan maturity positions are regarded by investors as safer companies to invest in while increases in trading income as a source of banks' overall revenue increases the volatility of its equity returns. Foreign ownership of a bank also lowers its equity return risk.