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1. CBC urges banks to show social responsibility despite sector’s strength

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) released its annual Financial Stability Report for 2023 on Tuesday, indicating that the financial sector is overall strong and capable of handling unexpected challenges. ...

2. Cypriot citizens linked to $75 million money laundering probe in the French Riviera

French authorities have seized about $75 million worth of real estate and luxury cars in the French Riviera as part of a money-laundering investigation involving two Russian businessmen who hold Cypriot citizenship, according to a published report on the OCCRP.org website. ...

3. Cyprus seeks to amend recovery plan amid project struggles

The Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan Directorate is currently working with the European Commission to make amendments to the Recovery and Resilience Plan. ...

4. Cypriot banks sending loans abroad: A growing risk?

Yesterday, I had a conversation with someone who truly understands banking—probably more knowledgeable than many who think they do....

5. Effort to create new cooperative bank in Cyprus begins with IPO search

The Cypriot company for the promotion of the cooperative movement is at the process of seeking an investment firm that would underwrite an initial public offering for the creation of a “small cooperative bank” in Cyprus that would replace the Cooperative Cyprus Bank which went into liquidation back in 2018, Panikos Hambas told CNA....

6. Behind the numbers: Are Cyprus's non-performing loans just a makeup job?

Are there good makeup artists in Cyprus? Sometimes I wonder, but since I’m out of the fashion scene, I can’t say for sure. However, when I think back to the banking events of the last 15 years, then yes—at least in the banks, they exist....

7. CBC: Top savings interest rate in Cyprus hits 2.45%

In August 2024, the Central Bank of Cyprus reported that the highest interest rate for term deposits of up to one year for households reached 2.45%. ...

8. ECB to review AKEL’s proposed bank tax amid financial concerns

The European Central Bank (ECB) is set to evaluate a proposed "windfall tax" on banks, commonly associated with the leftist political party AKEL, in Cyprus. ...

9. New subsidy scheme aims to lighten home loan interest rates

A new Interest Rate Subsidy Scheme for home loans is on the horizon, promising to ease the financial burden for many homebuyers....

10. Cyprus banks hike mortgage rates as new loans drop by a third in August

Banks in Cyprus raised the interest rates on home loans in August, while reducing the interest rates offered on household deposits, according to data released by the Central Bank of Cyprus on Wednesday....

11. Cyprus' credit rating upgraded due to strong economy and lower debt

Rating Agency Capital Intelligence Ratings (CI) has upgraded Cyprus’ Long-Term Foreign Currency Rating (LT FCR) and Short-Term FCR (ST FCR) to ‘BBB’ and ‘A2’, respectively, from ‘BBB-’ and ‘A3’, maintaining a positive outlook....

12. Cyprus banks have €28.7 billion in cash and liquidity

The amount of liquidity in Cyprus's banking system rose to €28.7 billion in August 2024, according to the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC). This increase was fueled by a growth in deposits alongside a decline in loans....

13. Tighter lending rules for businesses while household loans remain steady

Cypriot banks made it harder for businesses to get loans in the second quarter of 2024, while lending rules for households stayed the same, according to a new survey by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC)....

14. Cyprus falls behind on EU recovery plan, meets only 5% of targets

In today's 'Oikonomiki', Panayiotis Rougalas reports that Cyprus has only achieved 5% of the milestones outlined in its Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), falling far behind other European Union countries in implementing reforms tied to the EU’s Next Generation funding program....

15. Cypriot loan servicers struggle as red loans hit €21.2B

While non-performing loans (NPLs) in Cypriot banks are gradually declining, the situation remains dire for "red loans" held by loan acquisition companies, or "servicers." ...

16. Moody’s sees positive outlook for Hellenic Bank following Eurobank deal

Moody’s upgraded Hellenic Bank’s credit rating to Baa2 from Baa3 on Wednesday, citing the recent acquisition of a 56% stake by Eurobank S.A. The agency also revised the bank's outlook to positive. ...

17. Hellenic Bank boosts first-time buyers with reduced rates

Hellenic Bank has introduced a new scheme offering reduced interest rates for first-time homebuyers....

18. Homebuyers face mounting debts as developers' loans go unpaid

19. Bank of Cyprus reduces loan rates to 3.65% amid ECB policy shift

The Bank of Cyprus is lowering the reference interest rate on loans linked to the European Central Bank’s (ECB) base rate, effective Sept. 18, 2024....

20. Brexit leads to sharp decline in EU students at UK universities

The number of students from the European Union enrolling in British universities has dropped sharply since Brexit, new figures show. There are fewer students from Italy, Germany, and France coming to study in the UK....

21. Cyprus sees higher borrowing costs, lower deposit rates in July

Interest rates on consumer loans and mortgages in Cyprus increased in July, according to the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC). The rate for consumer credit climbed to 6.67% from 6.18% in June, while the rate for home loans rose to 4.59% from 4.52%....

22. Hellenic Bank's profits surge amid higher lending rates

Hellenic Bank, Cyprus’ second-largest lender, has had a strong start to 2024, reporting a net profit of €189 million in the first half of the year—a solid 18% increase from last year. This boost in profit is mainly due to a 30% rise in interest income, driven by higher European Central Bank (ECB) interest rates....

23. Cyprus banks report €164.7 million deposit increase in July

Total deposits in Cyprus’ banks recorded a net increase of €164.7 million in July 2024, compared with a net decrease of €44.1 million in June 2024, according to figures released on Wednesday by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC)....

24. Cyprus to offer more affordable homes with CLDC's three-part plan

The development programme of the Cyprus Land Development Corporation (CLDC) will move along three pillars in order for the organisation to provide affordable housing for purchase or rent to beneficiaries, is Director General Eleni Symeonidou, has told the Cyprus News Agency, stressing the contribution of the organisation in easing the housing shortage....

25. Fake contests and phishing scams surge, warns Cyprus Consumers Association

The Cyprus Consumers Association (CSC) has issued a warning about a surge in consumer fraud, where cunning individuals employ various tricks to extort money from unsuspecting victims. ...

26. Central Bank revises GDP growth to 3%

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) made a conservative upward revision to the GDP growth rate for 2024, by 0.2 percentage points, to 3%......

27. Cypriot banks show resilience amid challenges, says CBC Governor

Despite the continuous challenges, the Cypriot banking system continues to register a positive course, which is reflected in the main supervisory indicators, Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC), ...

28. Eurobank Cyprus reports €105.7M net profit for H1 2024

Eurobank Cyprus reported a net profit of €105.7 million for the first half of 2024, marking a 16% increase, or €14.9 million, compared to the same period in 2023....

29. Bank of England cuts interest rates after nearly a year of stability

The Bank of England (BoE) has cut interest rates for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, dropping them from a 16-year high. This decision, made by a narrow 5-4 vote, reflects a split among policymakers about whether inflation is under control....

30. Cyprus sees significant uptick in new loans

In June 2024, new loans in Cyprus substantially increased, reaching €330.6 million, up from €234.9 million in May. Data from the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) show that total new loans, which include both new and renegotiated contracts, climbed to €514.9 million from €391.6 million the previous month....