BANKS

Concerns about the possibility of a "haircut" of dividends. Management is not concerned and points to low distribution rates. They foresee a rapid reduction in deferred tax over the next three years.

The number of new applications in February was more than double the number of applications in previous months - the average in 2023 was 3,400 new applications per month - and is a record high.

The high demand from abroad led the Fund's management to decide to fully privatise the bank. Strong rise for the stock on the stock exchange.

The rating agencies are keeping the banks at a distance from the rating of the State. The ECB's approval of a dividend distribution this summer, after 16 years, will pave the way for upgrades.

Strong boost to the Group's figures from the investment in Hellenic Bank of Cyprus. Assets will exceed EUR 100 billion. EUR 800 million of surplus real estate assets. Ioannou contacts in Riyadh and Dubai.

Depositors with more than €100,000 in their accounts or with real estate (shares, bonds, etc.) over €200,000 are the first to be targeted for audits.

Bank profitability will reach record levels in 2023, but is expected to follow a downturn, a trend that will be reinforced after the reduction of interest rates from mid-2024. Interest expenses tripled in 9 months.

How the big 2019 survey on bank commissions closes: Banks will accept guilty pleas for collusion in one class of transactions and pay fines. No other violations were found.

All issuer and debt ratings were affirmed: National Bank and Eurobank 'BB' with positive outlook, while Alpha Bank, Alpha Services and Holdings, and Piraeus Bank at 'BB-' with positive outlook.

With the favorable interest rate environment as a key factor, they "lock in" high profitability. The time has come to reward shareholders with a dividend - buyback. What was said by bankers in London, which investors focused on.