The key role played by Greek banks, supporting multilevel the Greek economy, entrepreneurship and society has emerged as the current Open General Assembly of the Hellenic Bank Association.

The strong performance of the Greek economy and the banking system were emphasized in his speech by the Minister of National Economy and Finance Mr. Kyriakos Pierrakakis, in the presence of government officials, representatives of the Bank of Greece, the Capital Market Committee, the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Bank Association.

As he said, among other things, Mr. Pierrakakis “The banking system is at the center of economic activity for every country. Strong and sturdy banks, oriented to investment and support and extroversion, is the main factor in the dynamism and growth of the economy everywhere. A strong economy is a de facto prerequisite for expanding prosperity to society. Economy is no strong without modern and creative banks. Today, after the systematic effort of recent years, a number of evidence certifies that banks again declare “present”, after they have been completely resolved by the consequences of the crisis that began in 2010. “

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of EET, Professor Gikas ChardouvelisIn its central presentation, he talked about the Greek banking system in the current international context of increased uncertainty, following global developments in America and the Middle East.

In a thorough analysis of the significant progress that has taken place in the Greek banking system in recent years, the EET president has highlighted the significant contribution of banks to the Greek economy and society, as well as the key role of the Hellenic Bank Association. He referred to the challenges of the future for the Greek banking sector, which, he pointed out, are common challenges of all European banks.

Among the main messages of his speech, the following stand out:

– The new US government has sharply increased geopolitical and economic uncertainty in recent months. President Trump’s unconventional policy, which is opposed to the global institutional framework, which the US itself has helped create the world for the last 80 years, has deregulated the political and economic balances of the planet and has increased uncertainty everywhere, investors, businesses, markets. Current developments in the Middle East exacerbate uncertainty.

– The Greek economy is relatively resistant to recent global turmoil. It is less sensitive to Trump tariff policy than the rest of Europe, as its exports to the US account for only 1% of GDP versus 3% of Europe. The Greek economy is also growing at a higher growth rates. Greece, with weapons of its strong fiscal position, political stability and the advantage of access to the funds of the Recovery and Rulesion Fund (RRF), has greater flexibility.

– The Greek banking sector has been fully recovered and is now taking steps to expand its work abroad after many years. The key sizes of its balance sheet have been on a constant path of improvement from 2022. The recurring – without emergency revenue – profitability is positive, while the efficiency indicators have been on average of European banks. Thus, the dividend yield for the use of 2024 has increased in all banks.

– At the same time, capital adequacy indicators are strong and very close to the corresponding European average. The liquidity indicators exceed the minimally required index and are much higher than the European average, while repaying the old funding of the COVID era from the Eurosystem through the “targeted more long -term refinancing operations” (TLTRO III).

– Improving the financial figures of Greek banks does not go unnoticed either by the rating houses, who now give investment levels to the banks, nor from the investors, who show their preference as their shares price indicators are increasing.

– Banks support economics and society. The banking sector finances Greek entrepreneurship. Borrowing to non -financial enterprises is currently increasing at a rate of 17.2% on an annual basis (April 2025 data), significantly higher than the eurozone, which is 2.6%. Part of the new borrowing is also directed to small and medium -sized enterprises, as well as to co -financed loans of the investment plans of the Recovery Fund. In the first five months of the year, 15,349 loans to small and medium -sized enterprises totaling € 950m and from mid -2022 to the end of April, 478 loans totaling € 11 billion have been contracted (of which € 6.3 billion from the resources of the Recovery Fund), the net lending), Housing faith, constantly recovering. The implementation of the program “My House II” is in full swing. By mid -June, five months after the start of the program, 7,600 applications were approved by the Hellenic Development Bank covering almost 50% of the total budget or EUR 910 million in a total of EUR 2 billion and had been disbursed the first 750 loans.

The EET president also referred to the support of society on behalf of the banks. Banks stressed are at the forefront of ESG criteria (Environmental, Social, Governance – Environmental, Social, Governance). They first highlighted the issue of the optimal corporate governance in Greece, the “G” of “ESG”, while contributing to the fight against tax evasion, facilitating the increase in electronic transactions. In terms of value, the share of cash payments in Greece from 75% in 2016 fell to 42% last year against 39% in the eurozone (from 54% in 2016).

Banks are also leading the way in environmental issues, the “e” of “ESG”. They are constantly taking initiatives for green transition, digital transformation, and issuing green bonds. They also perform a huge social work, the “S” of “ESG”, with sponsorships and donations in critical areas of activity, such as health, culture, education, demographic, sports. Typically, banks have contributed more than 600m. EUR from 2019 until today, including the recent actions of the four systemic banks, through the Marietta Giannakou School Buildings Program and their participation in the Reconnection Body. Finally, banks have enormous investments, infrastructure and human resources to support the implementation of many central functions of the state.