Newsroom
The Bank of Cyprus is having a good year, and not just in accountant-speak. In the first half of 2025, the island’s biggest lender posted profits of €235 million after tax. That’s a bit lower than the €270 million it made in the same period last year, but it’s still a big win on paper and in euros.
Here’s what that actually means, in plain language:
More lending, more business
People and businesses are borrowing more money again. The bank issued €1.6 billion in new loans, a 31% jump compared to last year. That means more demand, especially from businesses and international clients.
Loans that are actually being paid back
The bank’s portfolio of “performing loans” (a fancy term for loans that aren’t in trouble) grew to €10.7 billion, up 5% since January. Even better? Only 1.7% of loans are classified as non-performing, meaning very few are at risk of default. That’s considered quite healthy in the bank world.
Less spending, more earning
Bank of Cyprus has kept its own costs down. Its cost-to-income ratio, a key measure of efficiency, came in at 36%, which means it's spending just 36 cents to make every euro. That’s lean and mean by industry standards.
Its return on tangible equity (ROTE), which basically shows how well the bank is turning investment into profit, hit 18.4%. That’s not just strong; it’s above the bank’s own target.
Solid capital and rising deposits
The bank’s deposits hit €20.9 billion, up 6% from last year, most of it coming from regular people, not just corporate clients. And its capital reserves, the financial cushion it sits on to weather any storms, are well above EU requirements.
Dividends are back
Good news for shareholders: the bank is issuing an interim dividend of €0.20 per share, which means investors are getting a cut of the profits. The payout equals about 40% of the bank’s earnings so far this year, with a full-year target of up to 70%.
Big picture: A strong bank in a strong economy
According to CEO Panicos Nicolaou, the bank is in top shape. It's got high liquidity, strong capital, and a growing loan book, all while Cyprus' economy is expected to grow by 3% this year, well above the Eurozone average of just 0.9%.
Oh, and in case anyone missed it, the bank also just bought Ethniki Insurance Cyprus for €29.3 million, further boosting its footprint in the insurance game.
Bottom Line:
The Bank of Cyprus isn’t just surviving; it’s thriving. And while the numbers may not mean much to the average person at first glance, they tell a story of a bank that’s stable, efficient, and profitable, words you definitely want to hear when your paycheck or mortgage is tied to it.
