Μaziof alpha bank · our banking system would gradually return to normalcy ... play a leading part...
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THE WORLDOF ALPHA BANKΜazi
Alpha Bank Group Executives Conference
2 2016 •
CONTENTSΜazi
IN FOCUS
Editor: CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION 40, Stadiou Str.
102 52 ATHENS, GREECEΤ
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Editor: CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION 40, Stadiou Str.
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2 2016 • Issue 24
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Alpha Bank Group Executives Conference
O n February 20, 2016, the Alpha Bank Group Executives Conference was held with great success at the Hilton
Athens Hotel and was attended by nearly 1,000 Group Executives.
The Conference was opened by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of
the Bank, Vasileios T. Rapanos, who delivered the following welcoming
address. In last year’s Conference, which had been held at roughly the same
time of the year, Mr Rapanos had expressed his guarded optimism that 2015
could be the year in which the Greek economy would enter into recovery and
our banking system would gradually return to normalcy. Unfortunately, these
expectations were confounded, as 2015 proved to be a year with unprecedented
challenges in store for the economy and the domestic banking system.
Operating in an environment of uncertainty, with a banking holiday imposed for
a long period of time, and under the restrictions of the capital controls, the
banking system had to face unheard of challenges, coming under severe strain.
However, in spite of all the difficulties, Alpha Bank managed to successfully cope
with the new situation, to respond with adequacy and professionalism to the
increased needs of Depositors and Borrowers, and to assist the Greek State’s
efforts to meet its requirements.
Furthermore, the Greek banking system, as Mr Rapanos pointed out, found itself once again in the unpleasant position to
require further recapitalisation. Despite the huge difficulties, Alpha Bank rose successfully to this new challenge and,
through this process, established itself once again as the leading Greek bank.
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This success, stressed Mr Rapanos, is due above all to the Bank’s people, whose tireless efforts, persistence and
perseverance in coping with the unprecedented challenges we had to face, and whose dedication to the Bank, made it
possible for us to get back on our feet and be ready to look to the future with greater optimism.
In addition to the successful management of the crisis, the Bank also offered its assistance to the Greek society, through
several initiatives aimed at supporting the social groups that are most severely hit by the crisis, especially in remote
islands. There is also one other, far more significant contribution. In a period of fiscal crisis, Alpha Bank did not burden the
State budget with a single euro and, furthermore, is the Bank which, around two years ago, repaid in full the preference
shares issued by the Bank and owned by the Hellenic Republic. This policy of the Bank is not just a matter of sound and
judicious management, but also reflects its increased awareness of its social responsibility towards Greek taxpayers.
After last July’s agreement with our partners, the Greek economy entered less troubled waters. The difficulties, however,
persist, and the political risks and uncertainties associated with the geopolitical developments in our region give rise to
new concerns and scepticism. This is why the swift conclusion of the negotiations regarding the assessment of the Greek
economy by the country’s partners is crucial in order for both the economy and the country’s banking system to move
ahead.
I would like to hope, Mr Rapanos pointed out, that once the assessment is successfully concluded, we will be able to
start on a new path forward and, with renewed strength, pursue our efforts to respond to the new needs with adequacy,
professionalism and increased social awareness, and to safeguard, in the best possible way, the interests of our
Shareholders and Customers.
Mr Rapanos then mentioned one further important event for the Bank, which is the release of the Alpha Bank Historical
Archives publication entitled “With Wisdom and Vision: Alpha Bank, 19th-21st Century”. The publication’s title, he said,
chosen by our Chairman Yannis S. Costopoulos, serves as a reminder that for a venture to succeed, wisdom, sound and
judicious management and administration, are not enough by themselves; they also need to be complemented by a dream,
by vision – something which characterises the Chairman himself and with which he has inspired us all. By drawing on this
culture, which has been fostered in our Bank, Mr Rapanos expressed his optimism that, in the new course opening up, we
will be able once more to play a leading part and justify the Alpha Bank’s history.
Finally, concluding his address, he thanked once again all attendees for their participation, and wished them good health
and success in their efforts to achieve their personal and professional goals for the New Year.
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The Bank's Managing Director - CEO Demetrios P. Mantzounis, who took the floor next, began his address by
mentioning the publication of the Bank’s Historical Archives “With Wisdom and Vision: Alpha Bank, 19th-21st Century”,
which was created, in spite of the difficult and adverse conditions the country’s banking system had to face, thanks to
the dedication and perseverance of the Athens University Professor Mr Kostas Kostis.
This publication, as Mr Mantzounis pointed out, was made possible by Mr Kostis and is a very significant one for
Alpha Bank’s history, which begins in the 19th century, spans the entire 20th century and enters into the 21st century,
under the conditions that we all know. In essence, the publication tells the story of one Bank and one family, which held
fast in its determination to create, in spite of all adversities, and which had seen it all: Greece’s first bankruptcy,
the Greco-Turkish war of 1897, the Balkan Wars, the Asia Minor catastrophe of 1922, the labour and social movements,
the dictatorships, the Occupation, the Civil War, and various political changes and shifts, which may well have started out
driven by ambitious ideas, yet failed to succeed. But we are here, said Mr Mantzounis, and we persevere.
Mr Mantzounis then mentioned that, as the Chairman had also said, in 2015 Greece faced unprecedented circumstances,
such as the banking holiday, the capital controls, insecurity and uncertainty, all of which ultimately led to the need for the
recapitalisation of banks. At this point, Mr Mantzounis reminded his audience that Alpha Bank did not meet with particular
optimism from many quarters regarding the potential for success of the recapitalisation venture.
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This is why special thanks are due to all the persons who undertook this venture with enthusiasm and resolve, and
brought it to so successful a conclusion, that we had no need for any support from the State – something that set us
apart from all the others and made us, once more, the leading and strongest Bank in Greece.
Mr Mantzounis then expressed his hope that this recapitalisation will be the last one for quite some time, so that we
can turn to banking as we know it and as we want it to take place. Because, as a result of the current circumstances,
so much significance has been placed on controls – not only for Greek banks, but for all banks across Europe – that we
are ultimately distracted from focusing on our goal, and our work is reduced to the mere collection and forwarding of
data to supervisors and other organisations in Greece and abroad. He considers, however, that this is a transitional
period and that, as soon as the situation improves and we move into a course of growth, even if a feeble one, we will
again remember our mission, which is to help economic growth.
For the time being, all of us must focus on managing arrears. This, emphasised Mr Mantzounis, is extremely important,
adding that so far, the legislative framework did not offer much assistance to support the effective and fair handling of
arrears. Yet this situation shows a tendency to improve, and hopefully, as he said, there will be no interventions that will
change this prospect.
Another very significant issue, said Mr Mantzounis, are deposits. What we went through during the last months of 2014
and the entire first half of 2015 was truly traumatic for all of us.
This is why we must make every possible effort, no matter how hard, to restore confidence in the banking system,
by exploiting in the best possible way the opportunities which present themselves, even under the adverse conditions
that currently prevail in the economy, and to further develop certain products, such as cards and electronic banking.
Mr Mantzounis, concluding his address, pointed out that we must be optimistic, because if we have no confidence in
what we do and if we do not love what we do, then we don’t stand much chance of being successful in helping the
economy and the country to recover.
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The General Manager - COO Spyros N. Filaretos introduced the Information Technology and Operations Executive
General Manager Efstathios A. Kakogiannis, the Manager of the Operations Division Georgios F. Spyropoulos, and the
Manager of the Internal Audit Division Athanasios I. Athanasopoulos. Mr Filaretos focused on the major projects which
have been carried out during the last year in the Business Units under his supervision, and the targets that were set for
the next year.
Mr Filaretos initially discussed the issue of internal audits, focusing on the manner in which audits are conducted in both
Network Branches and Central Units. More specifically, he said that audits must be frequent but must also focus on
matters of substance, something that will be achieved by limiting the duration of the auditors’ presence on-site, while in
parallel ensuring that the business activities of the Branch
or Unit concerned, are smoothly carried out during the audit.
As regards the Information Technology and Operations
Sectors, Mr Filaretos pointed out that their work was
unfortunately slowed down, because of the capital controls,
which have also burdened in various ways the overall
environment in which we operate, and because of the conduct of the stress tests. The development which most
characterised the Information Technology Sector, as Mr Filaretos said, was the sharp increase in the number of IT-related
requests. Instructions will be circulated soon regarding their documentation, so that they can be managed more
efficiently. To this end, a significant contribution is expected to come from the cooperation with external associates,
who will be working either on individual projects or on a permanent basis, with the aim to improve response times to
requests.
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At this point, Mr Filaretos reported that a three-year restructuring plan is already in progress. Once completed, it is
expected to enhance our readiness to respond – in terms of both time and quality – to any significant change which
might arise during the next five years, either as a systems requirement or as a banking task.
He then referred to the activities of the Operations Sector, stressing the significant effects on it from the capital controls
and the new Directive on Payment Services (PSD II). He also announced the creation of two new products, concerning
mobile telephony and Web Banking, as well as of other products that will be made available to the Network, and of the
new complaints and requests management system, which is currently in preparation.
Finally, Mr Filaretos pointed out the extremely important role of the project for the improvement of e-statements in
reducing costs and achieving savings for the Bank, adding that the project will also be linked to Customer incentives.
The Information Technology and Operations Executive General Manager Efstathios A. Kakogiannis began his
presentation by pointing out that the IT projects carried out in 2015 focused primarily on the implementation of the
Legislative Acts in connection with the capital controls, and on the timely completion of the projects for the migration of
the acquired Citibank portfolio, all of which were completed successfully and ahead of the dates originally scheduled.
In what in particular concerns the Legislative Acts and the relevant Ministerial Decisions, the IT Divisions, in collaboration
with the competent Business Units of the Bank, took immediate steps to implement the changes required to the Bank’s
systems and to issue instructions to the Branches and Central Units, in order to ensure compliance with the relevant
requirements and restrictions.
In parallel, 222 large-scale projects were implemented, and a total of 6,754 IT-related requests were handled, improving
the quality of the information and services provided to Customers. In terms of financial figures, a reduction by Euro 8.5
million was achieved in the IT operating expenses for 2014 and 2015, as a result of synergies from the absorption of
Emporiki Bank and the acquisition of Citi’s Retail Banking portfolio.
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As regards the targets for 2016, priority has been given to the implementation of key projects involving either the Bank's
compliance with the regulatory framework in force or improvements at the level of infrastructures and of the services
provided. The following is an indicative list of these projects:
and generation of aggregate reports.
economic and technological environment. These projects cover the following areas:
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The Manager of the Operations Division Georgios F. Spyropoulos presented the following key activities planned in
the Operations Sector for 2016:
1. Creation of a Central Imports Service, for immediate entry and same-day execution of approved Customer
requests regarding imports, in the Bank’s Banktrade platform.
2. Development of an electronic invoice (e-invoice) issuing and payment platform for businesses.
3. Same-day execution of payments via DIAS and immediate crediting of the beneficiary’s account, as well as
same-day execution of small-value payments via smartphones (DCT Online and Instant Payment).
4. Participation in the European-wide Electronic Commerce Products and Services platform (My Bank), which will offer
the possibility for directly debiting the Customer’s account in a secure way, in addition to the possibility for
debiting cards.
5. Implementation of the European Directive on Payment Services (PSD II).
6. Replacement of the Recommendations System of the Quality Assurance Unit, so that it can also support Customer
requests, in addition to complaints, providing the possibility for customer-centric evaluation of recommendations
and improving their on-the-spot resolution.
7. Design of a Centralised Recommendations Management Strategy for the Group and the Group Companies (uniform
typology, SLA indicators and progress reports).
8. Migration of Housing Loans to the Siglo System.
9. Establishment of an Insurance Policies Management Unit under the Credit Operations Division, tasked with
managing all types of insurance policies (retail and wholesale).
10. Central Management of Housing Loan debts for the Bank’s entire portfolio.
11. IT implementation of further automations in the Foreclosures Unit, with the aim of transferring nearly all related
activities form the Network to a Central Unit of the Bank.
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The Manager of the Internal Audit Division Athanasios I. Athanasopoulos, in his speech, presented data on the
duration of the audits of Branch Networks and pointed out the efforts made through centralisation and the use of
analytical tools, to limit the time during which auditors are present at the Branches and its impact on the smooth conduct
of business operations. In this context, the Branch Managers were asked to submit proposals, using the audit procedure
evaluation form which is completed upon the conclusion of each audit. Regarding the audit of the Central Units,
Mr Athanasopoulos presented projects already in progress, which involve the remote and/or continuous audit of loans
and operations. In concluding his speech, Mr Athanasopoulos mentioned that, with the above initiatives, the Internal Audit
Division aims to make the Bank’s
Executives aware of the audit conduct
framework, so that they are able to meet
successfully the increasing audit
requirements of recent years.
The Wholesale Banking and International Network General Manager Artemios Ch. Theodoridis began his
speech by comparing the events during 2015 to a storm of historic proportions. Against this backdrop, the Bank, under
the guidance of its Executives and drawing on the commitment of all its Personnel, managed to remain strong, and to
post – after the share capital increase – the highest capital adequacy in Greece.
He then thanked the Managers of the Financial Markets Division Georgios Michalopoulos, the Trading Division
Ekaterini Marmara, and the Sales Division Athanassios Pavlidis, and all those who worked to ensure the success of
the stress tests, mentioning in particular the Non-Performing Loans - Wholesale Executive General Manager Theodoros I.
Athanassopoulos, who is managing the critical area of non-performing loans.
For 2016, Mr Theodoridis expressed his optimism regarding the conclusion of the assessment currently under way and
his hope for economic recovery in the second half of the year.
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According to Mr Theodoridis, the Greek economy presents two faces: one which continues to do business using
the billions of deposits that left the banks, and one which, due to the capital controls, turned massively to electronic
banking in order to survive. The Bank must expand its portfolio, through loans to large corporates, privatisation
projects and infrastructure works, and must exploit, to the maximum possible extent, tools such as the National
Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), the funds made available by the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the
Juncker package.
In closing his speech, Mr Theodoridis expressed his optimism about the future, as the characteristics thanks to which
the Alpha Bank Group was able to withstand the crisis are maintained unchanged, and these, as he mentioned, will give it
strength and endurance in an environment of economic growth.
The Manager of the Financial Markets Division Georgios V. Michalopoulos referred to the impact on the Bank’s
liquidity and balance sheet of the financial developments during 2015, focusing on the need to repay the State aid and
to balance the loan to deposit ratio, in the coming period.
He then proceeded to describe the implementation of the capital controls, commenting on the changes that these
brought in the Bank’s operation, in combination with the volume of work that the banking system had to shoulder in
order to meet the regulatory requirements.
He also mentioned specifically the emphasis which must be given on serving the transaction needs of the Bank’s
Customers, in the light of the capital controls. The Branch Network and the Units managing relationships with Customer
Businesses are now able, as Mr Michalopoulos reported, to take advantage of the availability of online services to
automate the transaction cycle and to achieve economies of scale, by adopting a holistic Customer approach, with a
view to promoting the appropriate transactions to the appropriate Customers.
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Mr Michalopoulos stressed that the emphasis on transaction banking must become a priority objective, so that the
Bank can become the Customers’ main Bank for all their transactions. Fund transfers in general (remittances, payments,
collections, transfers), as well as commercial banking transactions (import-export orders, foreign exchange), are areas in
which the Bank must step up its activities, in order to strengthen its leading position in the wholesale banking market.
The benefits for the Bank in the medium term refer to the improvement in liquidity and the increase of income from
commissions. On the one hand, Customer deposits associated with serving the cash requirements of businesses exhibit
a higher stability in terms of balances and time intervals, and bear lower interest rates. On the other hand, the commissions
from all transactions are significant and are achieved with no demands on Bank capital and assets.
Consequently, strengthening this approach will have a complementary and catalytic effect on the parallel activity of
attracting deposit and lending relations with Customers.
Finally, Mr Michalopoulos mentioned the challenges which the Bank is facing in the transaction banking segment, in terms
of the requirements of the legislative and regulatory framework, the electronic governance requirements of the Greek State,
the competition between Greek banks and the ability to meet the needs in technological infrastructures. Optimal
cooperation is necessary between the Units managing relationships with Customers, the Units supporting operations,
and the Units providing IT infrastructures, in order to simplify procedures, modernise infrastructures and mitigate
operational risks.
This strategy will strengthen the Bank's profile in the business transaction banking segment, and will allow it to completely
and effectively cover the full range of the Customer's transaction needs.
In his speech, the Non-Performing Loans - Wholesale Executive General Manager Theodoros I. Athanassopoulos
said that non-performing loans are the greatest challenge that the four systemic banks are facing today. More specifically,
it is estimated that in the third quarter of 2016 their total value will amount to Euro 126.6 billion. As a result of this, the
management of non-performing loans has become one of the key priority issues under the MoU, and the actions taken have
further increased the number of parties involved in monitoring their successful management.
In practice, a number of legislative and other changes have been agreed under the MoU, and their implementation has
been assigned to the Government, the Bank of Greece and the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund.
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These changes provide for additional measures aimed at restoring stability and allowing the issue of Non-Performing Loans
to be seriously addressed.
In concluding his speech, Mr Athanassopoulos pointed out that, for the first time, the Bank of Greece this year will set
specific quarterly targets to Alpha Bank regarding the reduction of Arrears and the improvement in the quality of their
management, which we should meet.
The Wholesale Banking Executive General Manager Constantinos R. Dorkofikis began his presentation by referring
to the declining figures of the performing loan portfolio of the Wholesale Banking Unit, and to the exceptional conditions in
the Greek economy and the banking sector during 2015.
He stressed the need to rapidly redress the figures and revenues as of the second semester of 2016, in order for the
Bank to be able to achieve its target of returning to profitability. In addition, he made special reference to the target set
for developing business with: (a) multinational companies, in order to increase revenue and liquidity through transaction
operations, without a particular requirement for tying up assets, and (b) the hotel industry, where there is investment
activity and positive prospects are emerging.
He then mentioned the project for the centralisation of lending operations and the positive results that this had in areas
such as risk management, regulatory reporting and the management of arrears. In closing his speech, Mr Dorkofikis
emphasised that the priority now is to redesign and transfer additional lending operations from the Branches to the
Wholesale Banking, in order to decongest the Network, yet without cutting it off from its relationships with corporate
Customers.
The Private and Investment Banking Executive General Manager Ioannis M. Emiris presented the new Investment
Portfolio Analysis Division, active in the provision of investment advice and products, whose operations seek to minimise
operational risk and increase sales via the Alpha Private and Alpha Gold networks.
This Division publishes, in collaboration with the Group Company Alpha Asset Management A.E.D.A.K., the “House View”,
which reflects the medium-term view of the Bank’s analysts regarding the global money and capital markets. In addition,
the Division offers specialised advice to Private Banking Customers via its Portfolio Advisors, and introduces modern
technology and a modern communication approach in the customer update and sales process.
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Furthermore, referring to the activities of the Private Banking Division in 2015, Mr Emiris focused on the adoption of the
Customer-Centric Model and the creation of an environment in which Customers are recognised and treated in the same
way by all Units of the Bank, so as to receive the service they are entitled to. Finally, Mr Emiris mentioned the framework of
the enhanced Private Banking services, emphasising the improved phone banking support, the new Alpha Private Debit
Amex card, the custom loyalty scheme offering privileged benefits, and the organisation of regular targeted events.
The General Manager - CFO Vassilios E. Psaltis, began with a summary review of the financial developments during
2015 which affected negatively the Bank's planning, as regards
the implementation of its Business Plan for the previous year.
In particular, he presented the key assumptions on which the
Budged for the previous year had been based, pointing out the
significant deviations observed, as a result of the events that took
place during 2015, in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the
evolution of financing to the real economy, and the deposits with
the banking system. The significant loss of deposits during the first half of 2015, which amounted to approximately Euro 40
billion, in combination with the financial and political developments, led to the imposition of capital controls at the end of the
year’s second quarter, and to yet another Diagnostic Exercise by the European Central Bank (ECB), in the framework of the
new Economic Adjustment Programme.
Nevertheless, the recession in the economy was less than the anticipated one, with the GDP for the second half of the year
exceeding by Euro 5 billion the corresponding figure under the adverse scenario of ECB’s Diagnostic Exercise. Further
positive indications of growth include the improvement in the repayment of loans in arrears, the increase in the use of cards
and alternative networks and the repricing of term deposits, but also the increase in deposits by businesses during the last
months of 2015.
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The ECB’s Diagnostic Exercise identified the need for large capital increases in all banks. In the case of Alpha Bank,
as Mr Psaltis pointed out, the trust shown by foreign institutional investors in the Bank was once again confirmed, as by
subscribing fully to the latest Share Capital Increase, they brought up their total investment in the Bank since 2013 to
Euro 3.2 billion. As a result, foreign institutional investors currently account for 81% of the new Shareholder base,
whereas the participation of the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund has shrunk to 11%, down from 66% before the Share
Capital Increase. It should be noted that, despite the significant dilution for old Shareholders, Alpha Bank was the Bank
that safeguarded the value of their investment to the maximum. The fact that 75% of the new shares were subscribed for
by old Shareholders, is indicative of this.
In concluding, Mr Psaltis summarised the reasons for which investors trusted the Bank: (a) they believe in the recovery of
the Greek economy; (b) they appreciate the sound strategic choices made by the Bank as regards the selective acquisitions
it carried out, the discontinuation – to a significant degree – of its reliance on the State, and its improved performance in
the Asset Quality Reviews carried out in the last few years; and (c) they are pleased to see that we achieve the targets of
the Restructuring Plan.
The next speaker was the Strategy and Planning Executive General Manager Lazaros A. Papagaryfallou, who
presented the Bank’s Business Planning for the next three years. Alpha Bank aims to return to profitability, starting in 2016,
on the back of the lower provisions, the reduced cost of funding and further savings in operating costs. An additional
priority is to manage arrears, placing emphasis on reducing the stock of loans in arrears to a lower level, through the
establishment of new business partnerships and the adoption of proactive management strategies, made possible in the
light of the recent legislative changes. At the same time, the Bank aims to reduce its reliance on the Eurosystem, primarily
by restoring its deposit base, to diversify its sources of income through increases in commissions, and to rationalise its
presence abroad.
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Mr Papagaryfallou then discussed the performance of the Bank’s share after the recent recapitalisation, presenting an
analysis of the domestic and international factors which affected the fluctuations of the share price and are unrelated to
the Bank's fundamentals. Finally, he made extensive reference to the aspects that differentiate the Bank from the
competition, focusing on Alpha Bank’s superiority in terms of regulatory capital, its higher profitability, its cautious approach
to the establishment of provisions, and its high free-float.
The Manager of the Analysis and Performance Management Division Dimitrios S. Itsanis, who spoke next,
presented the framework adopted for drafting the Budget for 2016, which is based on the improvement of the economy
and aims to implement specific actions to improve organic profitability and the quality indicators of its loan portfolio.
For the first semester in particular, the objective is to “protect” profit before provisions and to focus on the management
of arrears, while for the second semester, as Mr Itsanis pointed out, our strategy will concentrate on strengthening our
commercial activity and on achieving profitability. In parallel, and in combination with the normalisation of the conditions in
the economy, we will concentrate on recovering deposits, with the aim of gradually restoring our deposit base. Finally, as
regards the improvement of the quality indicators of the loan portfolio, Mr Itsanis emphasised that the priorities of the
Budget are to minimise the likelihood of new arrears arising, to reduce the volume of loans past-due for more than 360
days, and to implement the new operational model for managing arrears and non-performing loans.
The General Manager - CRO Spyros A. Andronikakis began by presenting a summary of the European Banking Union’s
aims and pillars.
More specifically:
The European Banking Union has the following aims:
(a) To break the link between Banks and Sovereign Debt.
(b) To improve cross-border supervision of Banks, and
(c) To reduce financial risk for taxpayers.
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The European Banking Union rests on three pillars:
(a) The Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM).
(b) The Single Resolution Mechanism (SRM), and
(c) The Single Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS).
These three pillars are based on common rules on capital adequacy and risk management (Single Rulebook), and on
common practices for the supervision of European Banks (Single Supervisory Manual).
The Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) became operational on November 4, 2014, and is already in its second year
of operation. The Single Resolution Mechanism became operational in January 2016 and is expected to have in place
Euro 55 billion of capital by 2024. The Deposit Guarantee Scheme has not yet begun to operate and is not expected to do
so in the immediate future.
The SSM operates in the global environment, not just in the European one. It affects, and is affected by, other global
Supervisors, such as the US Federal Reserve. The global dialogue between supervisors is ongoing, and is shaped by the
developments in the global financial system. The SSM affects the SRM and also shapes the European Banking landscape.
The future supervision by the SSM, Mr Andronikakis said, is expected to be characterised by the following six
elements:
1. Greater emphasis on the analysis of the banks’ business plans and on Stress Tests: (a) Assessment of the
short-term viability of the business plans, and (b) assessment of the medium-term risk to the business plans,
by means of conducting Stress Tests.
2. Increase in the intensity of the audits of banks, without substantial guidance regarding the supervisory
approach to the audits.
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3. Increase in the volume and complexity of the regulatory reports to the SSM, in order to assess the banks’
compliance with the supervisory guidelines.
4. Particular emphasis on the assessment of the banks’ corporate governance systems, especially so in the
areas of Risk Management, Internal Control and Compliance.
5. Re-assessment of the troubled loans management strategy, in order to accelerate the procedures for
restructuring viable businesses or in liquidating businesses in difficulty.
6. Particular emphasis on the risk to information systems (Cyber Risk). Assessment of the banks in terms of
information security and their capacity to deal with attacks on their systems (Cyber Attacks).
The future of the banks under the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) will be primarily determined by three factors: (a) rapid technological changes, (b) changing customer-consumer behaviours, and (c) the constant evolution of the
supervisory framework.
The strategic response of banks, underlined Mr Andronikakis, should take into consideration all three factors together
and will result in the redefinition of: (a) the business operation model of banks, (b) their corporate governance, and (c) the
information systems that support their operations and controls.
For the banks’ Management, the challenge will be to invest time and money in technological innovations, at a time when
time and money are mostly used in order to manage the problems of the past and to ensure compliance with the
supervisory requirements.
In his speech, the Manager of the Wholesale Banking Credit Risk Division Constantinos G. Fragkopoulos
discussed the issue of the quality and completeness of the data on credit risk and on loans in general.
Mr Fragkopoulos pointed out that in the last six years, the Bank’s loan portfolios have been subject to multiple quality
reviews by external auditors. As a result, demand for the provision of data and information has risen sharply. A key
structural element of every such review was the provision of a detailed information file, which the auditors submitted to
quality reviews, and the systemic and other complexities that the Bank faces were creating difficulties in the provision of
this information.
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In addition to the reviews of the last years, the constantly changing regulatory framework and the increased business
needs give rise to new requirements regarding the provision of accurate and up-to-date data by the Bank. To this end,
Mr Fragkopoulos reported in closing his speech, the Bank has already introduced several improvements and has initiated
many new ones, so as to be ready to address the new challenges.
The Manager of the Retail Banking Credit Risk Division Georgios T. Adraktas began by pointing out that the
robustness of the banking system is directly linked to capital, deposits and arrears. Debts in arrears, non-performing loans
and non-performing exposures, are different instances of the same problem. After the crisis of 2008, a very high increase
in non-performing loans was observed, as they almost doubled for the European Union as a whole, with the non-euro area
countries spearheading this increase. In the years that followed the crisis, the recovery observed is quite limited and is
again observed in the non-euro area countries.
Undoubtedly, non-performing loans are a Europe-wide problem. In essence, however, it is a problem particular to Greece.
In Europe, non-performing loans represent approximately Euro 1 trillion or 10% of Europe’s GDP. In Greece, they represent
approximately Euro 83 billion or 47% of the country’s GDP. Furthermore, in the case of Greece, its GDP represents a share
of only 1.75% of the euro area aggregate GDP, whilst Greece’s non-performing loans as a share of the total non-performing
loans of the euro area is nearly 10%.
Non-performing exposures, which conceptually are very different from non-performing loans, are added on top of the
figures given above. Thus, the Euro 83 billion of non-performing loans of the Greek banking system are further increased
by Euro 29 billion, bringing up the total amount of non-performing exposures to approximately Euro 112 billion.
A precondition for managing effectively a non-performing exposure is the provision of viable solutions, adapted to the
profile of each customer, based on the customer's financial, property and family assets, and taking also into consideration
the customer's subsistence and overall expenses. A viable debt restructuring solution will allow the debt to be serviced
smoothly, through payments that will in turn allow the gradual resolution of the loan, and thus its subsequent
re-classification as performing, in line with the regulatory guidelines.
In addition, Mr Adraktas pointed out, the effective management of a non-performing loan requires a multidimensional
approach, which cannot be exhausted solely in the internal procedures of banks. Even if a bank adopts optimal practices
for managing exposures in arrears, there will always be other factors, both institutional and macroeconomic, that will affect
the final volume of non-performing exposures.
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In particular, the aforementioned holistic management is a function of the following five factors, which define the boundaries
of non-performing exposures and may affect their level:
1. The regulatory and control mechanism for monitoring the establishment of provisions.
2. The legislative framework, as in force each time.
3. The existence of a secondary market for non-performing exposures.
4. The availability of adequate information to allow the overall assessment and understanding of the needs of each
customer, so that the appropriate viable solution can be proposed.
5. The tax administration.
The Manager of the Market and Operational Risk Division Charalambos E. Kourtidis, who spoke next, reported that
the Alpha Bank Group has in place a comprehensive framework for the management of operational risk.
More specifically, this framework rests on two pillars:
1. Operational risk events management framework, which is defined by the following:
A. Circular No 105/2013, regarding the identification, investigation, reporting and monitoring of operational risk
events.
B. Circular No 100/2011, regarding the distinct accounting entries that must be made in suspense and profit & loss
accounts for the various operational risk events.
C. General Management Act No 58/2013, regarding the Group Operational Risk Events Management Committees,
which – depending on the level of financial risk involved – manage operational risk events.
For 2016, Mr Kourtidis stressed that the above procedure will be expanded, to allow for separate monitoring of operational
risk-related reports and events.
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2. Operational risk assessment framework. The assessment framework is applied to every organisational Unit of the
Bank and of the Group Companies. In cases where the operational risk involved is rated as “high”, submission of
corrective actions for approval is foreseen. For 2016, the operational risk assessment process will be upgraded,
with the systematic application of Operational Risk Indicators. The purpose of these indicators is to allow for
systematic management of risk or of specific control points, so that any significant changes in the indicators can
serve as indications of potential exposure to operational risk.
The Retail Banking General Manager George C. Aronis began with a brief overview of the key projects carried out
last year in the Business Units under his responsibility. He also expressed his optimism for 2016, based on the fact that
Alpha Bank is quite unique, something that its long history also confirms.
Mr Aronis focused especially on the fact that recently, and especially during the last three months, the Bank is constantly
at the very centre of public attention on various occasions, be it for the presentation of the new publication of the Bank’s
Historical Archives entitled “With Wisdom and Vision: Alpha Bank, 19th-21st Century” or for its new products for businesses
and professionals, such as My Alpha POS.
He then pointed out the positive results of the swift and successful integration into the Network of the new Branch
Managers, following the completion of the Voluntary Separation Scheme for the Bank’s Personnel, and reminded his
audience of the previous successful operational integrations of Emporiki Bank and the Citibank Network with Alpha Bank.
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Finally, in closing his speech he stressed that, despite the difficult and adverse conditions which the Greek banking system
had to face, there are still opportunities and prospects for recovery, to which we must look forward.
The Manager of the Greek Branch Network Division Isidoros S. Passas presented an overview of the Branch and
ATM networks operated by the country's four systemic banks, as at the end of 2015, accompanied by relevant key
efficiency indicators. After a short review of developments in 2015, he also presented the key priorities for 2016 regarding
the Branch Network. Finally, he mentioned the projects currently being carried out in order to increase the efficiency of the
Branch Network. These projects are expected to be delivered during 2016 and will improve the daily tasks of Executives,
as well as the level of Customer service.
The Manager of the Asset Gathering Management Division Konstantinos D. Koutentakis, who spoke next,
reported that in 2015, the two pillars of the Bank – products and networks – were increased to three, with the addition of
the Segments pillar, introduced for the purposes of Customer segmentation.
Today, as Mr Koutentakis pointed out, the Bank has a very large base of active Customers. In order to manage them more
effectively, it is very important that we are aware of all information available on them. With support from the CRM Division
and, more specifically, drawing on the CMART application, we are processing the huge volume of data and we utilise every
single information item, so as to offer to our Customers the best overall banking proposal, consisting of products and
services that match their profile. Consequently, segmentation yields multiple benefits, as Customer service is improved,
on the one hand, and the Bank achieves increased income, stronger liquidity and cost reductions, on the other.
Mr Koutentakis then presented the targets of his Business Unit for 2016, and discussed in detail two vital product
categories – deposits and bancassurance.
He began by mentioning that in 2015, the total deposits market in Greece shrank considerably, and finally closed at 15-year
record lows. More specifically, it dropped to Euro 121 billion, i.e. at July 2002 levels, nearly 50% down from the December
2009 high, when it had climbed close to Euro 240 billion. This shrinkage, which was primarily due to the political
uncertainty, led to capital outflows that took place in three principal ways: cash withdrawals, accounting for approximately
50%; placement in foreign treasury funds, accounting for approximately 20%; and remittances abroad, accounting for
approximately 20%. These outflows occurred almost in their entirety during the first half of 2015, as after that the capital
controls were imposed and outflows were virtually eliminated. Thus, the total market shrank by Euro 37 billion, which
corresponds to a reduction of 23%.
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The forecast for the Greek market in 2016 is better, as on the basis of the positive scenario, an estimated Euro 7 billion of
deposits are expected to return, with inflows occurring primarily during the second half of the year.
As regards Bancassurance, Mr Koutentakis started his presentation by pointing out that the penetration of insurance
products in Greece is extremely low. In particular, the insurance market in its entirety accounts for 2.5% of the country’s
GDP, against an average 7.5% in Europe. He also mentioned, as an indicative example, that the per capita premium in the
Greek life insurance sector is Euro 200/person, when the corresponding European average is six times higher, and in the
non-life insurance sector five times higher, than the one in Greece.
Based on the above, Mr Koutentakis said, the Bancassurance sector in Greece is expected to grow significantly in the next
years, and presented the Bank’s strategy for 2016, which is geared to achieving significant business growth in this sector.
In closing his speech, he stressed that the key to success and diversification is to ensure a continuously improving service
of customer needs, and reminded his audience of the words of Apple founder Steve Jobs: “For a company to succeed,
it must first understand what the customer wants and then make sure to build it.”
The Manager of the Small Business Banking Division Spyridon S. Rentetakos began his speech with an overview of
the Small Business market, stressing their important role in GDP growth and in the increase of private sector employment,
because, as he pointed out, Small Businesses are the driving force for Greece’s economic recovery.
He then presented the goals and the challenges for 2016, for which top priority is given to the targeted approach to the
Clientele, in tandem with the exploitation of the opportunities offered by the segmentation of the portfolio on the basis of
added value.
Mr Rentetakos pointed out that particular attention will be given to the growth of business in the “high value” segment of
the business Clientele, by leveraging the Bank's wide range of innovative products and services. These businesses, he said,
are standing apart, as they show exceptional adaptability to the rapid changes in the economic environment, and are also
characterised by competitiveness, innovation and extroversion – which are core requirements in today's economy.
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He also pointed out that Small Business Banking relies on building multiple business relationships with a Small Business,
and that the adoption of a holistic approach to the business owner, aimed at covering both his business and private needs,
yields multiple benefits for the business owner himself, as well as for the Bank. Besides, the business owner, as a dual
entity – a businessman and a private individual – is in parallel the driving force of the business and its only decision-making
centre, assuming multiple roles at the same time.
Mr Rentetakos then presented in detail the key action lines of the strategy for 2016, which will contribute to the growth
of business, such as new financing in selected sectors to support the real economy, the development of comprehensive
relationships with Customers, the development of new transaction products and the improvement of the processes for
managing and assessing Credit requests submitted by Small Businesses. In concluding his presentation, Mr Rentetakos
pointed out that 2016 will be the new starting point for the growth of business in the Small Business segment, so that the
efforts of all of us “together”, based on extroversion and our physical presence in the market – will help strengthen
competitiveness and healthy entrepreneurship.
The Manager of the Cards and Consumer Banking Products Division Grigorios Ch. Politis stressed the leading
position which the Bank holds in the Greek market for Payment Cards.
The capital controls, said Mr Politis, caused a very high increase in card-based transactions and in electronic payments in
general. Nevertheless, in the new reality that has emerged, the Greek market has considerable potential for further growth,
as the use payment cards remains particularly low compared to the European Union. Significant potential for growth also
exists in the POS segment, as according to estimates more than 200,000 new POS terminals will be installed in the next
1.5 to 2 years, doubling their current installed base in the Greek market. At the same time, the legislative framework for
reducing tax evasion through electronic payments, whose announcement is expected soon, will further help to increase
their use.
The Bank enters this new environment with an advantage from the very start, as it is the leader in the Greek issuing and
acquiring market, with very high market shares.
Alpha Bank, said Mr Politis, offers products of all major card organisations (American Express®, Diners Club, Visa,
MasterCard®), and thus has a distinct competitive advantage.
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The Bank has issued around 2.5 million debit cards, and offers special products for retail customers and for the
Alpha Bank Gold Personal Banking and Private Banking services, as well as corporate debit cards. In the credit cards
area, with a total portfolio of over 1 million cards, the Bank offers a large number of products, together with co-branded
cards, issued in cooperation with major companies operating in the Greek market.
In the acquiring segment, which is growing at very high rates, as many businesses / professionals want to obtain POS
terminals, the Bank offers to businesses the opportunity to accept all cards using a single terminal – My Alpha POS.
Acquiring is a very important segment, as in addition to the revenues it generates, it is also a first-class means for
approaching businesses and developing the business relationship with them, as well as for promoting additional products
and services.
Mr Politis mentioned specifically the key elements that will determine developments in the years to come, in a constantly
changing environment. More in particular, he stressed that the EU’s new Legislative and Regulatory Framework, the
consumers’ requirements for more choices and convenience in their transactions, the new technologies to be adopted
by businesses for accepting transactions from different networks, and the new “players” entering the market (Apple,
Google, Samsung, Amazon), will play a decisive role in driving developments at the international level.
Finally, he presented My Alpha Wallet – a new, innovative service to be announced very soon, which will serve as a new,
digital wallet for payments and transactions all over the world, using any medium of the Customer’s choice (computer,
tablet, mobile phone). The new Service establishes the Bank once again as a pioneer in digital payments and in the
design of technologically advanced products that meet the increased requirements of modern consumers.
In his speech, the Manager of the Non-Performing Loans Division - Retail Periklis M. Kitrilakis, mentioned that
arrears are changing and we cope with them with optimism, because we provide solutions to the problems of our
Customers, and in doing so we defend the history and social profile of the Bank.
In order to be successful, this effort requires clearly set targets, proper preparation, knowledge of the Customers, team
spirit, cooperation, clever management and, above all, persistence and conviction.
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The Advisor to the Management and Head of the Bank’s Historical Archives, Athens University Professor Mr Kostas Kostis, gave a presentation of the Bank’s new publication,
entitled “With Wisdom and Vision: Alpha Bank, 19th-21st Century”, accompanied by a
projection of rare illustration material from the Collections of the Bank’s Historical Archives,
which was used in the publication.
Spurred by the fact that 2016 marks the 40th anniversary of the very first Conference of
the Bank’s Executives, Mr Kostis described in broad lines Alpha Bank’s recent history. He
concluded his presentation with a brief mention of the activities of the Bank’s Historical
Archives and their role in the creation of this publication.
The activities of the Conference were concluded with a Q&A session, in which the General
Management answered the questions posed by the participants.
In the context of the Alpha Bank Group
Executives Conference, a special event
addressed to Executives from the
Group Companies abroad featuring
the Wholesale Banking and International
Network General Manager Artemios Ch.
Theodoridis, and the Manager of the
Economic Research Division Panayotis
Th. Kapopoulos, as keynote speakers
was held on Friday, February 19, 2016.
.....................................................................................................................................................................................
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Presentation of the Alpha Bank Historical Archives publication“With Wisdom and Vision: Alpha Bank, 19th-21st Century”
in Thessaloniki
O n Tuesday, February 9, 2016, the presentation of the Alpha Bank Historical Archives publication “With Wisdom and Vision: Alpha Bank, 19th-21st Century” was held, with success, at the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event was graced with the presence of the Mayor of Thessaloniki Mr Yiannis Boutaris and the President of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr Dimitris Bakatselos and was also attended by representatives of Northern Greece’s financial and business communities, active and retired Alpha Bank Executives, and Customers and friends of the Bank. On behalf of Alpha Bank, present as speakers at the event were the Head of the Alpha Bank Historical Archives and Professor at the University of Athens Kostas Kostis, the Bank’s
General Manager - COO Spyros N. Filaretos, the Manager of the Investors and Analyst Relations Division Dimitrios Kostopoulos, and the Managing Director - CEO Demetrios P. Mantzounis. The Publication’s title, “With Wisdom and Vision”, comes from a verse of the epic “The Free Besieged” by the Greek national poet Dionysios Solomos. It was Yannis S. Costopoulos who had used these very words back in 1987, speaking at the inauguration event for the Bank’s Main Building, to describe the way in which the people of Alpha Bank had brought it to the forefront of European banks.In his address at the event, the Mayor of Thessaloniki Mr Yiannis Boutaris, stressed that he had come to know the Bank well already before the 1960s, as it was a Bank that his father admired “because it was a family business”, as he said. “It started this way and then grew up, expanded and became one of the four large private banks”, he added. He also mentioned that Alpha Bank is a great example of private initiative, which is much needed for the growth of the Greek economy.In presenting the Publication, Professor Mr Kostas Kostis emphasised that the objective was to narrate the history of the Bank, by means of a text that would be clear and accessible to all and would draw on the accompanying illustrations for reference and documentation. He discussed in detail the successive periods in the Bank’s long history, as these are presented in the Publication, pointing out that Alpha Bank followed a course of continuous expansion, taking advantage of the opportunities offered in each era and rising successfully to the -often daunting- challenges awaiting it.
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A particularly important aspect in the Bank's evolution through time is, as Mr Kostis said, that Alpha Bank came
across some of the most important institutions in Greek banking history, which subsequently became integrated with
it. The Publication, he stressed, is also a means to pay tribute to the people who – each in his own particular way –
contributed to the Bank's successful operation and continuous progress. Thus, the Publication makes reference to the
biographies of key figures who, by their actions, left their mark on the history of Alpha Bank, and many of whom also
played a key part in the history of Greece.
The General Manager - COO of Alpha Bank Spyros N. Filaretos, remarked that during the 1980s there was more room
for “vision” compared to current times, which impose the need for greater wisdom and judiciousness, particularly so
during the last six years. It is to the judiciousness that Alpha Bank showed, he added, that the continuing trust of
private investors is based. This trust was demonstrated in the recapitalisations that took place in the last few years
and thanks to which the Bank required no State support for its recent share capital increase.
In concluding his speech, Mr Filaretos attributed the Bank's sustained success over time to the “clarity of its
objectives and values”, stressing that “behind the Alpha Bank History there are the histories of the people –
Management, Shareholders and Employees – who, with wisdom and vision, steered the fortunes of the Bank along a
course that spans three different centuries, from the 19th century to the 21st century.”
The Manager of the Investor and Analyst Relations Division Dimitrios Kostopoulos, stressed that Alpha Bank remains
committed to its goals and values, in line with its obligation to its Shareholders and Customers. The investors’ trust,
which was reaffirmed in the difficult yet successful recapitalisations carried out, is due, Mr Costopoulos underlined,
to the people of Alpha Bank, which are the ones that have always made, and will continue to make, the difference.
In his speech at the event, the Managing Director - CEO of Alpha Bank Demetrios P. Mantzounis, praised the
contribution of all the people who “built” today's Alpha Bank, making particular reference to the three generations
of Employees who have contributed to the Bank’s significant growth in Northern Greece, following the opening of the
first Alpha Bank Branch in Thessaloniki, in 1958. He also pointed out that the Bank has a long-standing cooperation
with major organisations in the city, such as the Thessaloniki Concert Hall and the city’s Archaeological Museum,
where successful events have also been held in the past.
Mr Mantzounis then referred to the “wisdom and vision which had always guided Yannis S. Costopoulos in his
plans”, underlining the significance of the Bank’s expansion in the geographical area covered by the Constitution of
Rigas. What the Greek banking system achieved there was of paramount importance from a national viewpoint,
he mentioned.
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Mr Mantzounis also expressed his hope that the current difficulties will be overcome and that the “banking magic”
will return, to contribute to economic growth and to free the creativity and abilities of all the people who work in Greek
banks.
In concluding his speech, he stressed that, in its long course, the Bank has gone through the most difficult periods
of Greece’s contemporary and modern history – yet it remains steadfast on its course, full of dynamism.
The publication “With Wisdom and Vision: Alpha Bank, 19th-21st Century” numbers 264 pages, containing rare and as
yet unpublished illustrations, coming in their majority from the Alpha Bank Historical Archives, and also makes use of
material obtained from other public and private organisations, banks and institutions. The Publication is structured in
seven sections that present corresponding distinct periods of the Bank’s history. The starting point goes back to the
time when J.F. Costopoulos (1856-1918) embarks on his commercial ventures and branches into banking activities,
by establishing the J.F. Costopoulos Bank in Kalamata. It is followed by the periods that correspond to the activities
of the Bank of Kalamata (1918-1924) and the Banque de Crédit Commercial Hellénique (1924-1947), which had its
registered seat in Athens. The fourth section presents the activity of the Commercial Credit Bank (1948-1972) and
its successor, Credit Bank (1973-1992). The sixth section is dedicated to Alpha Credit Bank (1993-1999) and the last
one to Alpha Bank (2000-2015).
The Alpha Bank Historical Archives, which issued the publication “With Wisdom and Vision: Alpha Bank, 19th-21st
Century”, were established in 1999 with a view to preserving the corporate identity and recording the history of the
businesses that make up the Alpha Bank Group, and are ranked today among the most important Historical Archives
of banking institutions worldwide.
Snapshots from the event.
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Awarding ceremony for Employeeswith 25 years of service at the Bank
n Friday, February 5, 2016, the Managing Director–CEO of the Bank Demetrios P. Mantzounis awarded honorary
pins to Executives who in 2015 completed 25 years of service at the Bank. The award ceremony was held
at the ground floor of the Bank’s Main Building at 40, Stadiou Street, in the presence of members of the General
Management and Division Managers.
The Managing Director – CEO addressed the attendees to the event giving a brief overview of the Bank’s activities
in 2015 and acknowledging with gratitude their many years of contribution to the growth of the Bank and to its
establishment as one of Greece’s largest financial organisations.
O
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Conferences for Greek Branch Network Executives
rom 19.1.2016 to 19.2.2016, a total of 11 conferences for Greek Branch Network Executives were held, during which the Bank’s strategy and priorities for the new year were presented to 2,000 Executives.
The conferences were attended by the Manager of the Greek Branch Network Division Isidoros Passas, together with the corresponding Managers of the Attica and Eastern Continental Greece, Central and Northern Greece, Aegean Islands and Crete, Peloponnese, Western Greece and Ionian Islands, and Individuals Plus Branch Divisions, as applicable. During the meetings, the Managers of the Asset Gathering Management, Retail Collections, Small Business Banking, Cards and Consumer Banking Products, Housing Loans, Alternative Networks, Mass Segment and Personal Banking Development, and Asset Gathering Products Divisions participated with pertinent presentations.
Finally, some of these conferences were also attended by the Retail Banking General Manager George C. Aronis and the Advisor to the Management on Retail Banking Leonidas Kasoumis.
Snapshot from the conference of February 8, 2016, held at the Benaki Museum (138, Pireos Street building), in Athens
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ISO 9001:2008 is an internationally recognised quality management standard, whose purpose is to provide best
guidance and tools for organisations in order to ensure optimal organisation across all levels of operation. It aims to
reduce operating costs, and to support continuous improvements in processes, together with change management
and knowledge management, as well as the development of indicators and targets at all levels of operations.
For this reason, it is a modern and dynamic tool for organisational optimisation and continuous improvement.
Since 2008, the Customer Support Section is subject to annual reviews of its procedures and operations,
so that its high level of compliance with the specifications of the International Standard can be regularly certified.
This procedure offers a comparative advantage to the Unit as includes the methodologies for the following:
The Operations Division remains committed to its strategy of continuous improvement of the quality of the services
offered by the Bank, supports the certification of operations in accordance with the ISO standards, and is at the disposal
of every interested Unit of the Bank for supplying detailed relevant information.
n January 2016, the 8th annual review of the Bank’s Customer Support Section of the Operations Division was successfully completed in accordance with the ISO 9001:2008 International Standard by Bureau Veritas,
the accredited independent Quality Systems Certification
organisation.
I
Operations DivisionAnnual Evaluation of the Bank’s Customer Support in accordance with the ISO 9001:2008 International Standard
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Following the acquisition of Emporiki Bank and the integration of the IT systems of the two banks during 2014,
Alpha Bank is using the Siglo application to manage all business loans, collateral and safe deposit boxes.
The Management of the IT Business Area planned and carried out the project for the replacement of the mainframe
on which the Business Loans application (Siglo) was running, with the following key priorities and objectives:
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
ccording to the monthly survey of the international network Bloomberg about the predictions for the major
Around 60 investment banks, financial institutions and economic studies and research centres from Europe, the
A
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Training Programme for the First Semester of 2016
During the years 2013-2015, the Bank's education and training policy focused on covering the training needs that arose as
a result of the mergers that took place. In this context, Technical Banking programmes were designed for job positions in
customer service operations in both retail and business banking, together with Management and Sales Skills Development
Programmes and Programmes for the development of Customer Service skills.
The training material used in all the Programmes has been renewed, and new innovative Programmes have been added,
carried out in collaboration with external training agencies. Additionally, the renewed European Certificate in Banking (EFCB)
programme is also available, carried out in cooperation with the Hellenic Banking Institute. In addition to the Programmes
carried out at the Bank’s Training Centre, a large number of online training courses (web-based training) are also available,
which trainees can attend and complete from their home, without any restriction on the number of courses they can enrol
for. It is also worth noting that these courses are in their majority also available in tablet-compatible versions. Finally, several
training courses are also completed through distance (correspondence-based) learning. In total, the following Programmes
are available: 69 Programmes carried out in training halls at the Bank’s Training Centre, 38 web-based Programmes and
4 distance learning courses.
During January 2016, a total of 27 training Programmes were carried out, with participations numbering 1,197 persons,
while for the first semester of 2016 a total of 3,400 training requests were submitted.
Training and Development DivisionThe most important training programmes of January 2016
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Specialised CRO-Gold (BASIC) Training Programme for the Executives of Alpha Bank Romania
In response to a request from the International Retail Banking Division and in collaboration with the Mass Segment
and Personal Banking Development Division, a specialised training programme was designed, addressed to the
Executives of Alpha Bank Romania. More specifically, the Programme covered training in the new Alpha Bank Gold
Personal Banking service, which has been introduced in Romania.
The Programme was carried out in the English language from 26 to 29 January, 2016, by Executives from the
Mass Segment and Personal Banking Development Division, with the participation of Trainers from the Training and
Development Division.
The topics covered comprised the characteristics and strategy of the Alpha Bank Gold Personal Banking service,
its objectives, benefits and privileges, as well as issues related to topics such as the macroeconomic environment,
the basic principles of investment strategy and investment tools, sales techniques and phone contacts to arrange
meetings with Customers. The Programme was attended by a total of 7 persons.
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T
Guided Tours of the exhibition “A. Tassos 1914-1985”
Woodcut, 1965
Snapshots from the guided tour of 21.1.2016.
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he Human Resources Division organised for the Bank’s Personnel a guided tour to the exhibition “A. Tassos 1914-1985”, at the Benaki Museum, on Thursday, January 21, 2016. The works showcased at the Exhibition came from the Alpha Bank Collections, the “A. Tassos” Society of Fine Arts, the National Gallery, and other public and private collections. The Curator of the Bank’s Art Collection Irene Orati was responsible for the organisation of the Exhibition.The Personnel who participated in the guided tour had the opportunity to become acquainted with the works of a major engraver, some of which were presented for the first time. In addition, the Exhibition also presented for the first time many wooden plates and other graphic arts material created by the artist, such as books, folios illustrated with original engravings, stamps and posters. The guided tour was conducted by Georgia Mazi from the Bank’s Art Collection.
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On Tuesday, January 26, 2016, a special guided tour of the Exhibition was organised for invited Customers of the
Business Centres and Alpha Private Bank Centres. On behalf of the Bank, members of the General Management,
the Managers and Assistant Managers of the Business Centres and Private Banking Divisions, and Managers of the
Business Centres and Alpha Private Bank Centres, were also present.
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Snapshots from the guided tour of 26.1.2016.
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News of the Bank’s Library
Library Collection and User Services
In 2015 the Library Collection was enriched with more than 3,000 new titles of publications in all categories as well
as with informational material and, consequently, it now numbers more than 38,000 titles. During 2015, over 900
publications and 45 sectoral studies were lent out whereas 33 researchers visited the Library in order to gather
information and study in the Reading Room.
Donation of Publications
In the context of the Bank’s policy regarding the promotion of Greek culture, the Library proceeded to donate 4,000
books to public and academic libraries, cultural foundations and organisations.
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More specifically, the Bank continued to donate publications to a series of municipal libraries, such as the Popular Library
of Kalamata, the Hatzopouleios Municipal Library in Poros, the Central Public Library of Mytilini and the Public Library
“Palamidis” in Nafplio, acknowledging their significant contribution towards the intellectual cultivation of their citizens.
Additionally, publications were sent to the International Relations Department of the Ministry of Culture and Sports and,
subsequently, donated to the Municipal Library “Simón Bolívar” in Sahagún, Mexico.
Publications were also dispatched to university libraries and in particular to the Main Library of Democritus University of
Thrace, the Library and Informational Center of Harokopio University and the Library of the Merchant Marine Academy of
Epirus.
Books were also donated to Primary and Secondary Education schools throughout the country as well as to cultural
institutions and organisations, such as the “Myrtia” Cultural Association in Myrtopotamia, the Hellenic Book Club,
the Contemporary Greek Art Institute and the Cultural Association of Aghies Paraskies in Iraklio, Crete.
Furthermore, in order to support the Gennadius Library, the Bank donated in 2015 as well a complete series of its
Publications to assist the book bazaars organised by the Association of Friends of the Gennadius Library. At the same
time, it donated Publications to the book bazaar of the Association “Friends of the Goulandris Natural History Museum”
to support the aims of the Museum.
In the context of Alpha Bank’s social contribution, the Library donated more than 600 copies of its Publications to
Christmas bazaars of charity associations and organisations, such as Cerebral Palsy Greece (formerly Spastics
Society Athens), Hatzikyriakio Childcare Institution, Therapeutic Riding Association of Greece, “FRIENDS OF THE CHILD”,
Nestor Psychogeriatric Association etc.
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First Series of Economics-oriented Lectures for Libraries
The Hellenic Economic Library Network (H.E.LI.N.), a founding member of which is the Alpha Bank Library, organises the First Series of Economics-oriented Lectures for Libraries which will run from January to December 2016. The successful conclusion of the first thematic unit entitled “A Single Monetary Policy in the Eurozone” presented by George D. Dimopoulos, Professor Emeritus of the Athens University of Economics and Business, also holding a Jean Monnet chair, will be followed by “Macroeconomic Fundamentals”, the second thematic unit, which will be presented in three lectures to be held on March 7, April 4 and May 9, 2016.
“ALPHA BANK - CULTURE store”
In 2015 the “ALPHA BANK - CULTURE store” was visited by more than 1,100 persons who were informed of the cultural projects of the Bank. Throughout the year, 597 copies of Publications issued by Alpha Bank and the J.F. Costopoulos Foundation were sold. Moreover, in 2015, a screen has been installed at the “ALPHA BANK - CULTURE store” in order to inform visitors of the Exhibitions, the events and the programmes organised in the context of the cultural activities of the Bank.Since December 2014, copies of ancient coins, which belong to the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection, have been sold
2015, the following three new copies of ancient coins were added to the list:
Silver tetradrachm, 288-282 BC
Silver stater, 480-456 BC
Silver didrachm, 395-344 BCIn 2015, the website www.alphapolitismos.gr, which presents all the cultural news of the Bank, was visited by 6,720 persons.
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Students of the 3rd Elementary School of Spatavisited the Numismatic Collection of the Bank
n Friday, February 5, 2016, the students of the 3rd Elementary School of Spata visited the permanent Exhibition Space
of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection in order to attend the educational programme entitled “Learning about Ancient
Coins”.
In the course of the Programme, the Curator of the Collection, Dr Dimitra Tsangari, presented the history of coin: the
invention, the minting, the iconography and its diffusion in the ancient world from the Archaic to the Hellenistic Period.
The students, divided into groups, filled in the specially designed educational leaflet, familiarised themselves with the minting
technique of ancient coins and struck their own coins using die replicas.
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The folio “Meteora:Drawings and Watercolours” will be sold by Alpha Bank
at a discount of 40% throughout March 2016
lpha Bank offers the folio “Meteora: Drawings and Watercolours” at a discount of 40%, i.e. Euro 15.00,
throughout March 2016.
This volume presents drawings and watercolours of the Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments of Meteora created in
1987 by the painter and printmaker George Varlamos.
The distinctive natural setting of Meteora, its many different facets and the monuments are captured by the artist through
his own idiosyncratic approach as well as through his clear and simple design, inspiring the viewer with a sense of awe
and evoking spiritual exaltation.
The Publication may be obtained either by visiting the “ALPHA BANK – CULTURE store” (40, Stadiou Street, ATHENS)
or by placing an order via telephone or e-mail (tel.: +30 210 326 2465, e-mail: [email protected]).
George Varlamos
Commercial Bank of Greece
Athens 1988
Dimensions 28.5 x 23 cm
208 pages, 105 illustrations
Bilingual edition (Greek, English)
Price: Euro 15.00
THE BANK • CULTUREΜazi
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ith the aim of promoting its history and values that have governed its long course, the Bank carried out a
corporate advertising campaign with the key communication message: "Alpha Bank. Tomorrow starts with
Alpha".
More specifically, the advertising campaign was realised via advertisements in the Press, with the following titles:
• a e l a s
• a e l a s
• a e l a e al
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“Dine Athens” the first restaurant week in Athens
by Alpha Bank and Diners Club
T he Loyalty Schemes Division, in collaboration with the Marketing and Public Relations Division successfully
organised the first restaurant week in Athens, entitled “Dine Athens”, introducing in Greece the internationally
acclaimed concept of “restaurant weeks”, which is associated with top international culinary events.
In the context of the first “Dine Athens” week, from 1 to 7 February, 2016, Athenians had the opportunity to enjoy
high-level gastronomy courses at 100 selected restaurants, at special prices and additional benefits for Diners Club
cardholders. In particular, all restaurants offered three special fixed-price menus at Euro 20, Euro 40 and Euro 60
for all customers, with Diners Club Members enjoying a further 10% discount.
The purpose of the campaign was first, to strengthen Diners Club in the Greek market, following the successful
acquisition of Citibank’s Greek Retail Banking portfolio, and second, to strengthen partnerships with restaurants,
as Diners Club was first launched and established through the restaurants area.
The communication was carried out via an extended advertising programme with the key communication message:
"Dine Athens, February 1-7, dining out!”. The promotion was supported by means of single-sheet promotional
leaflets with relevant information, mailed to Diners Club cardholders together with their card account statements,
by an e-newsletter and SMS message sent to Bank Customers, and via the Press, television, radio, internet
(www.dineathens.gr microsite) and social media (Facebook and Instagram), as well as with promotional material in
the participating restaurants.
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During the week, more than 5,000 persons visited the participating restaurants and took part in the “Dine Athens”
week, which also included promotional events attended by Diners Club Customers, winners of radio contests, as well
as associates and friends of the Bank.
In order to listen to the radio spot, press here.
From the left: the Marketing Director of Kotsovolos Mr. Costas Stamatakis, the General Manager of
Zara Hellas Mr. Ilias Malamas with his wife, the Assistant Manager of the Loyalty Schemes Division Zefi
Paraskevopoulou, the CEO of Kotsovolos Mr. Andreas Athanasopoulos, the Manager of the Loyalty
Schemes Division Nadia Georgakopoulou, the Assistant Manager of the same Division Thekla Pantazi,
and the Assistant Manager of the Marketing and Public Relations Division Matina Michaletou.
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My Alpha POS Credit Line: The new financing programme for Small Businesses
I n the context of promoting the modern solutions offered by Alpha Bank to businesses, a new advertising campaign was
designed for the My Alpha POS Credit Line programme. This programme offers small businesses the opportunity to
have access to short-term working capital financing, depending on the volume of transactions carried out via the My Alpha
POS terminal.
The TV spot continues from the previous one for My Alpha POS, with the main character being played, once again, by the
talented actor Vassilis Charalambopoulos. This time, the action takes place in the same shop, in which our main character
welcomes a Cretan supplier of knives, and wonders how he will be able to pay him. The new My Alpha POS Credit Line
programme offers the solution to the liquidity problem faced by the average Greek small-business owner through Working
Capital financing.
The campaign was enhanced by radio spots and advertisements in cinemas and on the internet.
In order to watch the TV spot, press here.
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Feel Safe with your Card
A lpha Bank, in collaboration with AXA Insurance S.A., the world’s leading Insurance Group, has designed, exclusively for
its Customers, Alpha Feel Safe – a new insurance plan for Alpha Bank credit or debit card. The plan offers voluntary
insurance of credit or debit cards, as well as the insurance for the cardholder, in cases of loss of theft of the following:
official documents, keys, wallet, handbag, tablet, mobile phone. Insured Customers are also compensated for the illegal use
of their documents as a result of theft, as well as for the illegal use of their cards and for cash withdrawals made under
threat of physical violence, on the express condition that the card is lost or stolen at the same time.
For more information about the plan’s benefits and covers, please visit Alpha Bank Intranet.
Alpha Term Deposit with Bonus: The Term Deposit offering
both interest and Bonus points
W ith the aim of promoting the Alpha Term Deposit with Bonus, a repeat advertising
campaign was carried out, in February via television and internet.
With the key communication message: "The only Term Deposit offering both
interest and Bonus points", the campaign presents the product’s unique features
and competitive advantage, which sets it apart from the competition, as it combines
interest with Bonus points available for redemption in the purchase of a number of
everyday commodities.
In order to watch the TV spot, press here.
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Feel Safe with your Card
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“Even the smallest gesture can bring a big change”
I n line with its long-standing support of the work and activities of charities working to alleviate the suffering of our fellow
men and women in need, the Bank supported the initiative of Visa Hellas, which, in collaboration with other greek banks,
offers financial assistance to 15 charitable foundations.
More specifically, for every purchase made with Visa cards issued by Alpha Bank during the period from 1.2.2016 to
30.6.2016, a donation of Euro 0.02 will be made, with the aim to raise from all participants the total amount of
Euro 1,000,000, as financial assistance for the work of the following organisations: The Smile of the Child, Doctors of the
World, The Ark of the World, SOS Children's Villages, Together for Children, PERPATO Association for People with Mobility
Problems and Friends, Greek Children's Village in Filyro, Desmos, Margarita Vocational Training Centre, Gefyra Zois,
Shedia street paper, PRAKSIS, To Ergastiri, Melissa Orphanage for Girls, and Hellenic Hope.
Visa Hellas announced the initiative during a Press conference held in the presence of representatives of charities and
managers of the participating banks. During the event, the Advisor to the Management on Retail Banking and Chairman of
the Board of Directors of Visa Hellas Leonidas Kasoumis addressed the attendees.
The Bank supported the promotional campaign for this initiative, by means of single-sheet leaflets in the Visa cardholders’
account statements, as well as on the Alpha Bank Cards Portal and on social media.
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Delivery of graffiti removal equipment tothe Municipality of Thessaloniki
From the left: Dimitrios Charizanis, Mr. Thomas Psaras, Eleni Stergiou, Demetrios P. Mantzounis,Mr. Yiannis Boutaris, Mr. Athanasios Pappas, and the General Manager of the
Technical Services of the Municipality of Thessaloniki Mr. Constantinos Belimpasakis.
n the context of Alpha Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme “The defacements that hurt", on Tuesday, February 9,
2016, the Managing Director - CEO of the Bank Demetrios P. Mantzounis officially delivered a graffiti removal and surface
restoration machine to the Municipality of Thessaloniki.
The Mayor of Thessaloniki Mr. Yiannis Boutaris thanked Mr. Mantzounis for this generous, as he called it, initiative of the Bank,
adding that the machine will be put to immediate use by the Municipality’s cleaning services.
The Managing Director – CEO of Alpha Bank referred to the Group’s respective activities in Athens, mentioning that, so far, 23 of
the city’s sculptures and monuments have been cleaned, and stressed that the Bank wishes to help the efforts to make the city of
Thessaloniki more beautiful and attractive by promptly removing graffiti, whose accumulation is negative to the image of cities.
The equipment delivery ceremony was attended by the Deputy Mayor for Construction, Environment and Sanitation of the
Municipality of Thessaloniki Mr. Athanassios Pappas, the Secretary of the Municipality of Thessaloniki Mr. Thomas Psaras and
other Municipality officials. On behalf of the Bank, the Manager of the Central and Northern Greece Branch Division Dimitrios
Charizanis, and the Assistant Manager of the Marketing and Public Relations Division Eleni Stergiou, were also present.
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TAlpha Bank supports the 28th Greek National Informatics Contest
he Bank supported the 28th Greek National Informatics Contest, organised by the Greek Computer Society (GCS) and addressed to students of public and private Secondary Education schools. The Contest, held under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs, is the national selection stage of the International Olympiad in Informatics, which is held annually under the auspices of UNESCO.Students who successfully complete all phases of the Contest form the National Informatics Team, which participates in the International and Balkan Informatics Olympiad. As of the summer of 2007, these students also form the Junior National Informatics Team, which participates in the Junior Balkan Olympiad in Informatics (for Gymnasium students).In the course of the twenty-eight years of Informatics Olympiads, Greece has won a total of 51 medals, of which 24 in the last 5 years.More specifically, in the last 5 years the Greek National Informatics Teams have won:
• 6 medals in International Informatics Olympiads• 10 medals in International Balkan Informatics Olympiads• 8 medals in Junior Balkan Olympiads in Informatics.
FThe Bank supports the Programme "Garbage-free Nature"
or a number of years now, Alpha Bank supports the “Garbage-free Nature” Environmental Awareness and Education Programme, which aims to raise awareness among students, young people and adults, of issues concerning sustainability, natural resources management and waste reduction.Increased environmental awareness, cooperation, voluntary work and joint activities undertaken by volunteers, Organisations and Authorities, are the pillars of the Programme, which operates as a National Network, approved by the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs, and is addressed to Primary and Secondary Education teachers and students. The Programme is organised and coordinated by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, which carries out experiential workshops for educators and students, exhibitions with the participation of school groups, and award events for schools in recognition of their successfully participation in the Network.
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Alpha Bank supports the Association of the Friends of the “Aghioi Anargyroi” Oncological Hospital
he Bank undertook to cover part of the expenses of the Association of the Friends of the “Aghioi Anargyroi” General Oncological Hospital, relating to the management and operation of the “Centre for Early diagnosis of Breast Cancer”.
The Centre operates in accordance with the international standards of presymptomatic screening tests, and during its 12 years of operation, 45,000 digital mammograms have been performed free of charge for women aged 40-69, residents in the Attica and Viotia Prefectures.
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The Bank supports the work of the Saferinternet.gr Greek Awareness Centre
or the fifth consecutive year, the Bank supports the work of the Saferinternet.gr Greek Awareness Centre, by sponsoring the Centre’s internet safety campaign. The main goal of the Activity is to raise awareness of society to the proper and safe use of the internet.
As part of its sponsorship for 2016, the Bank covered part of the costs of the initiative “Be a Supporter of Safer Internet Day 2016”, with the key message: "Play your part for a better Internet."
It is worth noting that during 2015, 375 Institutions from all over Greece and Cyprus acted as Supporters of the celebration, under the coordination and control of Saferinternet.gr, carrying out activities in the local community, while for 2016, 470 Institutions have already signed up nationwide. This activity is expected to benefit more than 26,000 nursery and primary school pupils, 38,000 high school students, 8,500 parents, and 4,000 educators, social workers and health professionals, who will be taking part in it.
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CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYΜazi
Eleni Vernadaki
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The Stock Exchange, 1985Wall composition with ceramic tiles, 235x535 cm
Kifissia-Levidou Branch, February 2016
his work was assigned to Eleni Vernadaki by the Ionian Bank for the Kifissia-Levidou Branch, opened in 1985.
It was a special order by the Bank, whose intention was to decorate the new Branch with a unique work of art.
Eleni Vernadaki is one of the few women artists to have exclusively worked with ceramics. This particular work of
hers is all the more interesting, as she exceptionally works on a large-scale composition. She has chosen her
favourite material – ceramic tiles – which extend to the right, over a long part of the wall. In addition, she has
chosen to work on a subject that is perfectly fitting for the premises of a Bank: the Stock Exchange.
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The numerous, small-sized ceramic tiles are a reference to the form in which stock-market transactions were
carried out before the advent of modern technology, that is, until up the late 1980s. Before that time, share prices
were written by hand, on large surfaces, by an employee of the Stock Exchange positioned at a high-placed spot
of the Trading Room that was visible from everywhere, so that transactions could be seen by all.
In this work, as in all other works by Vernadaki, the key traits of the artist’s personal style are clearly at play:
harmonious integration of the work within a broader architectural composition, attention to detail, flawless
execution.
Eleni Vernadaki, The Stock Exchange, Wall composition with ceramic
tiles, 235x535 cm
The Kifissia-Levidou Branch in the late 1980s.
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Eleni Vernadaki(Chania 1933)
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
She studied ceramic arts at the Hammersmith College of Art and Architecture in London. In 1961, she presented her first individual exhibition, followed by many others, until 1982. She has also participated in group exhibitions (Pan-Hellenic Ceramic Arts Exhibition, Athens, 1960, 1963 and 1987; International Ceramic Arts Exhibition, Washington DC, 1963; Sculpture Faliron, Athens 1979 etc.). She has worked with Yannis Moralis, in the construction of all his works in public spaces, and has created many more works – mostly mural compositions – upon order, often in collaboration with architects.In her work, Vernadaki draws elements from the very roots of a long local ceramics tradition, yet renews the language of its expressive form while retaining its functionality. For the most part, she uses the raw materials of ceramic art, although on occasions she has allowed herself time off to also work with other materials (metal, marble, Plexiglas, leather etc.), as well as on large-scale compositions. The motifs she uses are at times nonrepresentational and at others allude to organic elements.
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Prefecture of Dodecanese - Rhodos
he island of Rhodes, inhabited already during the Mycenaean period, was originally divided into three city-states: Lindos, Ialyssos
and Cameiros, which together with Cos, Cnidus and Halicarnassus were the Doric Hexapolis (Six Cities). Around the end of the
5th century BC (408 BC), the city of Rhodes was founded in the north of the island, and became the administrative and political
centre with an excellent port. The Rhodians extended their influence at the opposite shore of Caria (Rhodian Peraia) founding at
the same time many colonies. Just after its foundation (408 BC), the city of Rhodes started its coinage, which is considered one
of the richest in antiquity, as gold, silver and bronze coins were put in circulation in big quantities. The god Helios, depicted with his
radiated crown, was the main iconographic numismatic type. In Rhodes there was the principal cult site of the god, who was united
with the homonymous nymph Rhode and had seven sons, the Heliades. The celebrated Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven
Wonders of the ancient world, was dedicated to the dazzling god, who had saved the island from siege. On the reverse of the
rhodian coins there is a rose (rhodo in Greek), as “type parlant”, making a pun on its name.
Frame at Rhodos Branch (640)
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The Ancient Coin of Rhodos, from the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection
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AThird Annual Alpha Bank Lecture
Alpha Rapid
Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd
Alpha Bank Romania
s part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd has always demonstrated its interest for culture and education, supporting for a number of years now the University of Cyprus.In this context, the Bank supports a series of lectures organised by the University of Cyprus for students and the general public. This initiative began in 2012 and has become an annual event.The keynote speaker of this year Third Annual Alpha Bank Lecture was the archaeologist Mrs Katerina Peristeri who presented for the first time in Cyprus, the course of the excavation work and the results of her scientific research for the Macedonian funerary complex of Kasta Tomb, covering the period 2012-2014. The event was opened by the Dean of the University of Cyprus, Professor Constantinos Christophides and the Managing Director of Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd George Georgiou.
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ith the aim of promoting the Alpha Rapid consumer loan, Alpha Bank Romania ran a new advertising campaign via TV and the internet, with the key communication message: “Things change according to your wishes. Make new
plans today!” The visual for the new campaign is inspired by “origami”, the traditional Japanese art of paper-folding, as a way to illustrate and emphasise the flexibility and accessibility of the product. The three key types of needs that the Alpha Rapid loan covers and on which the advertising campaign focuses, are home refurbishments, the purchase of electrical and electronic appliances and the purchase of furniture.
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Participation of Alpha Bank Romania in the “Gerar” Half Marathon
Distinctions for Alpha Bank Srbija a.d. from UEPS
Alpha Bank Romania
Alpha Bank Srbija a.d.
n Saturday, January 31, 2016, 15 Employees of Alpha Bank
Romania participated in “Gerar” Half Marathon, held in Bucharest.
The competition, which is this year’s first sport event, has already
become a tradition among the runners in the country and aims to
promote outdoor running in all weather conditions.
This year’s edition brought together over 700 participants, and
comprised a Cross Race (10.8 km) and the Half Marathon (21 km).
A lpha Bank Srbija a.d. received two prestigious awards related to Advertising and Communications at the traditional award giving ceremony of the Association of Serbian Advertisers (UEPS), held on the occasion of the Serbian Advertisers’ Day. More specifically, the Bank won the bronze award in the “Integrated Promotional Campaigns” category for two of its campaigns.The first one concerned the Alpha Cash Loans, and its key communication message was: “Smaller instalments are easier
to return", and the second one was the campaign created on the occasion of the Savings Week, with the key communication message: “We know each other for 10 years”.For 54 years now, the Association works to publicise and promote the communication, marketing and advertising professions. Every December, it presents its annual awards to the most successful companies and individuals, for the results achieved during the year. It should be mentioned here that this year’s presentation of the two awards to Alpha Bank Srbija a.d. coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Bank’s successful presence in the country.
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Members of the Alpha Bank Romania Team who took part in the “Gerar” Half Marathon.
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Alpha Bank Srbija a.d. supports the Sports Club “Dodir”
Alpha Mobile banking
lpha Bank a.d. Skopje re-launched an advertising campaign for the Alpha Mobile banking
service, via Press and internet, with the key communication message: “A bank in your
hand!”.
The Service provides users with quick and easy access to the Bank’s products and to their
own portfolio of products and bank accounts, together with fast and secure transactions at
any time, wherever they are.
Alpha Bank Srbija a.d.
Alpha Bank a.d. Skopje
n the context of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Alpha Bank Srbija a.d. supports the “Dodir” Sports Club, by covering
the costs for the participation of the Club’s members, who are blind and visually impaired athletes, in the sport events
taking place in Slovakia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina during the first quarter of 2016.
The Club has divisions for athletics, bowling and darts for blind and visually impaired athletes, and is currently establishing
a shooting sport division. The Club is proud to have among its members a multiple Olympic medallist and winner at the
world athletic championships in Basel and Zurich, as well as national champions in all sports.
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Alpha Bank supports the “Children’s Injury Prevention” programme
In 2016, the Bank continues to support the “Children’s Injury Prevention” programme.
The “Paediatric Trauma Care” Association organises presentations on the prevention of injuries, addressed to children
in nursery and primary schools, as well as to their parents and teachers.
The presentations are adapted to suit the age of the attending students, and encourage their active participation.
Up to now, these presentations have been attended by a total of 38,791 students and 2,929 teachers and
parents.
In 2016, it is estimated that 30 presentations will be carried out, expected to be attended by about 2,500 - 3,000
children.
The Bank undertook the sponsorship of the “Oasis" Support Centre for persons with dependencies.
Founded in 2002, the Centre is an innovative effort, since it is the only organisation addressing this particular issue
and has been created by persons who had previously suffered from dependencies, together with members of their
families.
During its 13 years of operation, the Centre has contributed very important work in many places across Greece,
and today continues to receive, on a daily basis, dozens of visitors as well as incoming phone calls seeking
information and support. The Centre has been awarded for its services by the President of the Hellenic Republic,
the Ministry of Health and the Prefecture of Thessaloniki.
AT A GLANCEΜazi