The president of the Hellenic Banking Association (HBA) Prof. Gikas Hardouvelisas well as the presidents of the competent EET coordinating committees, Anastasios Anastasatos, George Maligiannis, Lazaros Papagarifallouthe acting general manager, Haroula Apalagakiand the senior manager, Vassilis Panagiotidismet with delegation of SYRIZA-PS at the EET offices following a relevant request from the main opposition party.

From the side of SYRIZA-PS, the above meeting was attended by Mr. Nikos Pappas, Head of Finance K.O. SYRIZA-PS, Manolis Kapnisakisdirector of the Office of the President Mr. Kaselakis, Vangelis Pilaliscoordinator of the Finance Department, Dr. Panagiotis Melachrinosdirector of the Political Office of the head of the Economy-Finances SYRIZA-PS, George Anavaloglouassociate of the SYRIZA-PS president, Apostolos Makrikostas (associate of the SYRIZA member of parliament, Al. Flambouraris), Christos Karamoutsoscoordinator of Prefectural Finance SYRIZA-PS.

As stated in an announcement by EET, the president of the Union, in his introductory statement, referred to the multifaceted support that Greek banks offer over time, even during the years of crisis, either individually or through EET to society, but also to the State itself.

Afterwards, the co-competent representatives of the EET presented to the representatives of SYRIZA the current picture of the Greek banking system, in detail, based on the official statistics of the EET and the reports of the Bank of Greece and the SSM, in particular regarding:

  • The return of Greek banks to normality.
  • The positive credit expansion of 2023 in business loans (with an emphasis on the co-financed programs and the loan assets of the Recovery and Resilience Fund – RRF).
  • The increase in real disbursements but also the limited demand in private loans, especially in housing loans.
  • The organic management of non-performing loans, and the improved image displayed by the Greek banking system, with the further reduction of non-performing loans.
  • The essential facilities provided to first-time borrowers by the recent amendments for the management of loans guaranteed by the Greek State (individuals and businesses).
  • The utilization of the HERACLES program by the Greek banking system and its stable operation to date.
  • The planning and prospects of the Greek banking system in terms of the management of deferred tax and the calculated dividend policy, with the ultimate goal of maintaining high investment interest for Greek banks, especially after the successful, for the most part, disinvestment of the Financial Stability Fund .
  • The gradual convergence of interest rates on deposits and loans, depending on the characteristics of the deposits.
  • The wider fiscal prospects of the Greek economy, estimates of its growth rate and the course of the Greek debt
  • The developments regarding the human resources of the banks, especially in the context of their digital transformation.

After the conclusion of the discussion, the president of EET Mr. Hardouvelis stated:

“After the end of more than ten years of economic crisis, Greek banks are strong again and firmly oriented to play a decisive role in financing the economy and maintaining the positive macroeconomic environment. They contribute substantially and effectively to the national effort to recover the Greek economy, improve of citizens’ trust, enhancing competitiveness and attracting foreign capital and investment.

We will continue in the same direction and with the same consistency to support the Greek economy, the necessary reforms, small, medium and large entrepreneurship with the aim of strengthening healthy competition and convergence with Europe”.