German lender keeps “buy” rating on Greek and Cypriot banks, citing strong fundamentals, resilient economic growth and limited exposure to Middle East risks despite recent market volatility.
Greek banks are reassessing three-year operational plans amid the U.S.–Iran conflict, with potential impacts on credit growth, profitability, and dividend policies if global energy prices and inflation spike
Eurobank is identified as Bank of America’s top pick for 2026, driven by three key catalysts: the potential upgrade of Greece to a developed market, Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone, and Cyprus joining the Schengen area.
The success of bank digitization is particularly evident in consumer lending. According to sources, nearly seven out of ten consumer loans granted last year were issued exclusively through banks’ digital channels.
According to UBS, Alpha Bank offers the strongest earnings-per-share growth but the lowest ROTE, while Eurobank stands out as an attractive regional growth story supported by successful acquisitions.
Deutsche Bank said the potential upgrade of Greece to Developed Market status by MSCI could draw a broader pool of international investors.
Deposits of the general government were up by €485 million in November 2025, compared with a €448 million drop in the previous month
The final bank holiday of the festive season will be Tuesday 6 January, marking the Feast of Epiphany.
Goldman Sachs notes that valuations in the sector remain attractive, as Greek banks trade at roughly 1.2 times the 2026
Greek banks benefit from better credit conditions, improved liquidity, and stable funding, which enhances their resilience.
UBS noted that Greek banks are still trading at a discount to their European peers, with price-to-earnings ratios of 7.9 times for 2026.
Mortgage lending in Greece is recovering after years of decline, with banks launching low-interest products to attract borrowers in their 40s and 50s
Bank of America recommends a “buy” on three of the banks, except National Bank, for which it maintains a “neutral” rating.
With Euribor near 2%, banks are offering more attractive loans. In July, average mortgage rates fell to 3.52%—110 bps lower than last year—and competition may push them down further.
Interest rates on term deposits in Greece fell sharply in June, easing bank costs but reducing returns for households and businesses
The German bank sees strong loan growth and capital performance driving further upside for Greek lenders, despite recent stock market gains
The U.S.-based investment bank recommends "buy" for three banks and "neutral" for one.
In total, credit institutions are expected to contribute 100 million euros to the entity.
HSBC raised its target for Alpha Bank to 3.75 euros from 3.05 euros, for National Bank to 11.80 from 9.90 euros, and for Piraeus Bank to 7.50 from 7.25 euros.
Currently, three Greek banks have rolled out ATMs that support this feature, with more expected to follow as the demand for contactless services continues to grow