Piraeus Bank

OUR COURSE

Piraeus Bank was founded in 1916. It has rapidly grown in size and activities, representing today the leading Bank in Greece with 30% market share in terms of loans and deposits. Along with its organic growth, Piraeus Bank has made a series of strategic acquisitions and mergers aiming to establish a strong presence in the domestic market.

Thus, in 1998, the Bank absorbed the activities of Chase Manhattan in Greece, took over controlling interest in Macedonia-Thrace Bank and acquired the specialized bank Credit Lyonnais Hellas. At the beginning of 1999, the Bank acquired Xiosbank and absorbed the activities of National Westminster Bank Plc in Greece. In June 2000, Piraeus Bank absorbed its two commercial banks in Greece (Macedonia-Thrace Bank and Xiosbank). In 2002, Piraeus Bank acquired the Hellenic Industrial Development Bank (ETVAbank), which was absorbed in December 2003.

In 2012, Piraeus Bank acquired the "good" part of Agricultural Bank (selected assets and liabilities) and Geniki Bank, a former subsidiary of Societe Generale. In March 2013, Piraeus Bank acquired the Greek banking operations of Bank of Cyprus, Cyprus Popular Bank and Hellenic Bank. In June 2013, Piraeus Bank acquired Millennium Bank Greece, a subsidiary of BCP. In April 2015, Piraeus Bank acquired the carve-out part of Panellinia Bank healthy assets. These transactions comprise important steps towards the restructuring of the Greek banking system, in which Piraeus Bank has participated from the very beginning as a core pillar.

2017 was a critical juncture for Piraeus Bank. From a financial point of view, this was the year which signaled the stabilization of the Bank’s financial performance. The improvement in liquidity and asset quality accelerated and that was visible across financial ratios. On an institutional level, the year was characterized by the completion of the changes in the Board of Directors, incorporating members with international financial expertise and strengthening its corporate governance, in compliance with best international practices and regulatory rules. At the same time, Piraeus Bank has reinvigorated its top management, strengthening its executive management team. The year 2017 was sealed with our new CEO taking office on April 2017 Mr Christos Megalou. The institutional ring-fencing of the Bank allows further strengthening and unceasing operational continuity to the benefit of our shareholders, customers and employees.

Piraeus Bank now possesses the necessary know-how, the experience and the decisiveness to address today’s challenges and to ensure that the Bank is well positioned to deliver against the demanding operational and corporate governance requirements, which are derived from the best practices, the existing regulatory framework, as well as from ECB’s recommendations.

The Group’s total equity amounted to €7.4bn on September 30, 2018, while regulatory CET-1 capital was at €6.7bn. The pro-forma Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of the Group, taking into account our divestments under way, was 14.2% at the end of September 2018.

Piraeus Bank, in the context of its business planning, is concentrating on all potentials and opportunities for recovery. The main issues to address for 2018 remain: a) improvement of asset quality, through the consistent achievement of the active management of the Non Performing Exposures in order to comply with the commitments to the ECB, b) the improvement of liquidity through the gradual restoration of deposits and c) the return to sustainable profitability, with continued improvement in revenue sources and operational efficiency.

The Bank has committed to play a leading role in the restart and development of the Greek economy by actively supporting economic activity and extroversion through specialized and personalized solutions and high-level services to its customers.

WHAT WE DO

Piraeus Bank today leads a group of companies covering all financial activities in the Greek market (universal bank). Piraeus Bank, the largest bank in Greece, provides a wide range of financial products and services to approximately 5.2mn customers.

Today, we rank first in business financing, with a market share of c.35% and balances of c.€35bn. Additionally, we maintain a customer relationship with 85% of the most important small and medium-sized businesses in Greece. Piraeus Bank possesses particular know-how in the areas of medium-sized and small enterprises, agricultural banking, consumer and mortgage credit, green banking, capital markets and investment banking, as well as leasing and factoring.

These services are offered through nation-wide network of approximately 560 branches and 2,000 ATMs, and also through its innovative digital banking platform winbank.

Piraeus Bank aiming to differentiate itself with the provision of superior standards of customer service, adopts the most modern international innovations and technological solutions. In this context, an automated electronic branch, known as "e-branch", was set up and operates since 2016. This is a completely new concept for the Greek market. Piraeus Bank currently has 6 e-branches in which transactions are carried out with speed, convenience and security.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

Piraeus Bank established a unified culture and collective mindset based on the principles of accountability, meritocracy and transparency, aiming to be a pillar of stability for the Greek economy, to fuel growth and to promote innovation. Focusing to have a positive and lasting footprint in society, with benefits for our customers, our people, our shareholders and society at large, Piraeus Bank is committed to constantly create value, to challenge the frontiers, to enthuse its customers and to build relationships of trust.

Piraeus Bank Group acknowledging the basic role held by human resources in the achievement of its corporate strategic goals and the management of challenges, invests in the creation of strong relations with its employees, constantly improving the working environment and minimizing risks. It works towards a modern working environment that promotes open communication, high performance and personal development for its people. At the same time, the Group makes sure to establish and implement policies that promote issues of ethics, trust, devotion, team spirit and acceptance of diversity in the workplace. Piraeus Bank employs 12,262 employees, being one of the largest employers in Greece.

Piraeus Bank is committed to including social, environmental, and cultural aspects into its business practices and assumes initiatives over and above the legal obligations with the aim of enhancing social welfare and sustainable development.

In the framework of its activities and operations, the Group promotes regular communication with stakeholders, in order to fulfill their needs and expectations and to promptly and effectively respond to issues concerning them. The exploitation of new technologies, respect of human rights, employability, protection of the environment, promotion of culture, as well as issues related to corporate governance, financial performance and risk management, are priorities for the Group.

Piraeus Bank, as the first bank in Greece, innovates and offers solutions and outlets to help our economy and businesses recover their pace and open up sustainable paths to create value for the coming future.