Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras issued a statement on Unicredit’s increase in its shareholding in Alpha Bank through the acquisition of shares held by Reggeborgh Invest, describing the transaction as a very positive development for both banks that builds on their recent cooperation. He linked the move to broader improvements in the Greek banking sector and the Greek economy, citing continuous upgrades of the Hellenic Republic and Greek banks by international rating agencies. Stournaras also framed the deal as an example of how the European Union’s banking sector could evolve, arguing that cross-border cooperation between sound banks, combined with completing the Banking Union and the Capital Markets Union and simplifying procedures, would reduce fragmentation, create economies of scale, and improve liquidity and efficiency, with knock-on effects for growth, monetary policy transmission, and prices.
Bank of Greece 2025-05-28
Bank of Greece Governor welcomes Unicredit increasing its stake in Alpha Bank through the purchase of Reggeborgh Invest’s shares
Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras praised Unicredit's increased shareholding in Alpha Bank as a positive development, highlighting its potential to enhance Greek banking and the economy. He emphasized the transaction as a model for EU banking evolution, advocating for cross-border cooperation, completion of the Banking Union and Capital Markets Union, and procedural simplification to reduce fragmentation and improve efficiency.