The Greek systemic banks successfully passed the Stress Tests 9THS), as announced by the EBA (European Banking Authority).

It is noted that Eurobank did not participate due to the acquisition of the Hellenic Bank of Cyprus.

National bank

The National Bank’s CET1 index, from 18.3% at the end of 2024, is expected to stand at 21.9% in 2027 in the base scenario, while in the unfavorable it is expected to fall to 16.6% in 2025, 16.9% in 2026 and 17.5% in 2027.

Alpha bank

For Alpha Bank, the CET1 index will stand in the base scenario at 18.6% at the end of 2027 from 16.3% at the end of 2024, while in the unfavorable it is expected to fall to 13.9% in 2025, 14% in 2026 and 14.1% in 2027.

Piraeus Bank

Piraeus CET1 is expected to increase from 14.5% in 2024 to 15.8% in 2027, while in the unfavorable it is expected to fall to 12.5% in 2025 and 11.8% in 2026 and 2027.

The stress tests

The stress tests involved 64 banks from 17 EU countries.

“The results show that the EU banking system could withstand a serious but plausible macroeconomic scenario, reflecting the durability that banks have developed in recent years,” the EBA said, urging banks to maintain sufficient capital.

European and US banking authorities have officially introduced, comprehensive endurance tests following the 2008 global financial crisis that led to costly government bank rescues, Reuters notes.

Some elements of this year’s unfavorable scenario had begun to be implemented, the EAT said, pointing out US trade duties and the escalation of tension in the Middle East.

While the blow to capital stocks is particularly serious for some European subsidiaries of large US banks, all lenders remained able to meet the basic capital requirements, EBA said.

For 17 banks, the unfavorable scenario would entail restrictions or adjustments to bonus and dividend payments for at least one of the three years.