All Articles

Net new loans in Cyprus declined in November 2025, according to a report released this week by the Central Bank of Cyprus. Specifically, net new loans fell to €256.3 million from total new loans of €565.2 million, compared with €429.4 million from total new loans of €624.9 million in October 2025. The Central Bank’s report also included statistical data on average interest rates applied by monetary financial institutions in Cyprus on deposits and loans to euro area residents

At a time of intense international turbulence and widespread uncertainty, Cyprus has demonstrated that it can maintain stability and safeguard its growth prospects, according to Yannis Misirlis, chairman of the Cyprus Property Developers Association. He underlined that the country has shown notable resilience after enduring successive years of pressure, stressing that despite ongoing challenges, the real estate development sector continues to act as a key engine of the nation

The Cypriot economy sustained a strong and steady course through December 29, 2025, with the government managing to steer through a challenging international environment while advancing far-reaching domestic reforms. Globally, uncertainty intensified early in the year as renewed trade frictions surfaced following tariff announcements by US President Donald Trump, reigniting concerns over rising inflation and a potential deceleration in global economic growth. These developmen

Eurobank announced this week that it has repurchased 682,000 of its own shares on the Athens Stock Exchange during the period from December 22 to December 26, 2025, as part of its authorised share buyback programme, a move intended to implement decisions taken by both its shareholders and its board of directors. According to the bank, the shares were acquired at an average price of €3.5172 per share, with the total value of the transactions amounting to €2.4 million. As a res

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEBE) has welcomed parliament’s approval of Cyprus’ long-anticipated tax reform, describing it as a decisive step towards modernising the country’s fiscal framework and reinforcing its competitiveness.   In a statement issued on Monday, the chamber said the reform “marks a historic step” in upgrading the tax system at a time when the Cypriot economy is seeking sustainable growth and increased investment. KEBE said the adoption of t

Hourly labour costs in Cyprus rose by 3.5 per cent in the third quarter of 2025, placing the country close to the European Union average and reflecting ongoing wage and cost pressures faced by employers across Europe, according to the latest figures released by Eurostat.   Data from the EU’s statistical office show that during the same period, hourly labour costs increased by 3.3 per cent in the euro area and by 3.7 per cent across the EU as a whole, compared with the third q

Greece has taken another step in shedding the legacy of its sovereign debt crisis by repaying a portion of its eurozone bailout loans well ahead of schedule, a move aimed at strengthening investor confidence and reducing long-term borrowing costs.   This week, Athens completed the early repayment of €5.3bn in loans issued under the first eurozone bailout programme. These obligations were originally set to mature after 2031, with some extending into the 2040s. Paying them down

Cyprus is facing an increasingly severe housing challenge that is placing growing pressure on young people and first-time homebuyers, according to the Cyprus Borrower Protection Association (Syprodat), which is urging swift and meaningful action as the European Union steps up efforts to address rising housing costs across the bloc.   This week, Syprodat said a newly unveiled European Commission initiative on affordable housing underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and

Warner Bros Discovery has urged its shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance’s $108.4 billion (£80.75bn) takeover offer, in a dramatic development in the ongoing battle for control of one of Hollywood’s most storied studios. Paramount had argued that its bid was “superior” to the $72 billion deal Warner Bros reached with Netflix for its film and streaming businesses. However, Warner Bros Discovery’s board has “unanimously” recommended shareholders turn down Paramount’s offer

Millions of people across the European Union continued to move in and out of work in mid-2025, despite overall labour market indicators suggesting relative stability.   New figures published by Eurostat this week reveal substantial flows between employment, unemployment and economic inactivity between the second and third quarters of the year, shedding light on the scale and direction of labour market movements beneath the surface.   Eurostat reported that “3.1 million unempl

A new World Inequality Report portrays a global economic structure sharply skewed in favour of a minuscule wealthy minority, revealing how concentrated wealth, regressive tax advantages, unpaid care labour, and climate impacts reinforce one another.   According to the findings, fewer than 60,000 of the world’s richest individuals — enough people to pack a football stadium — now possess more wealth than half of humanity combined. The authors underscore that extreme disparities

Eurobank announced on Wednesday that it has officially stepped into the role of principal employer for the MAP multi-employer provident fund based in Nicosia, a change that took effect on December 8. The bank characterised the move as a clear expression of confidence in the Cypriot economy and its long-term growth prospects.   “This development constitutes a significant upgrade for the fund and is expected to contribute substantially to the further enhancement of MAP’s corpor

Eurobank and National Bank of Greece (NBG) have emerged at the top of European banking rankings for return on equity, according to a pan-European report by UBS, underscoring the sustained profitability and resilience of the Greek banking sector. The findings, shared by Greek business outlet Newmoney, place both Eurobank and NBG firmly in the upper echelons of the European ranking for return on equity, reflecting gains that are “not a cyclical phenomenon but is instead the res

While the European Union continues to push for greater banking consolidation across the continent, Italy’s banking landscape tells a far more complicated story. The attempted takeover of Mediobanca by Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS), involving two of Italy’s most prominent financial institutions, has unfolded as a complex interplay of financial manoeuvres, political decisions, and judicial scrutiny. Government support for the creation of a new banking powerhouse has ignited i

Gold prices remained largely unchanged on Friday, with stronger U.S. Treasury yields countering the support typically provided by a softer dollar, while market participants looked ahead to key inflation data that could shape expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves.   As of 0524 GMT, spot gold was steady at $4,215.92 per ounce, positioning the metal for a 0.3% weekly decline. U.S. gold futures for December delivery inched 0.1% higher to $4,245.70 per ounce.  

Netflix has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s film and television studios, along with its streaming operations, after submitting an offer valued at $28 per share, according to a source with direct knowledge of the discussions.   The parent company of HBO had been reviewing strategic alternatives and received a second round of bids this week following initial proposals from Netflix, Paramount Skydance and Comcast.   It was previously reported th

NICE Actimize’s move to seek a buyer marks a major shift within the financial crime technology sector, drawing renewed scrutiny toward how valuation expectations correspond with long-term performance indicators. The division is exploring strategic alternatives during a phase defined by uneven financial results, tighter capital conditions, and an evolving set of corporate priorities. This process reinforces how historical profitability, contributions to group performance, and

Cyprus’ parliamentary commerce committee is moving closer to approving a reduction in the turnover threshold that determines whether companies can undergo a simple financial statement review rather than a full audit, settling on €400,000.   This represents a significant narrowing from the €900,000 level originally proposed by Disy.   The matter returned to the committee on Tuesday after the taxation department, the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) and the Association of Cyprus Ba

The 16th Pension Forum in Nicosia placed the spotlight on the major challenges confronting Cyprus’ pension system, while also exploring fresh perspectives arising in an environment undergoing rapid transformation, according to the event overview.   The forum, titled ‘Making better decisions – New perspectives for the pension’, took place with the support of Eurobank.   During the discussions, speakers emphasised that the demand for strategic flexibility and specialised expert

Nairobi’s bustling streets are now echoing with more than just the rhythm of daily life; they resonate with the hum of Bitcoin adoption, as “Bankless Bitcoin” ATMs appear in popular shopping centers. These machines represent more than a technological advance—they are a lifeline for many, enabling cash-to-crypto conversion in spaces traditionally dominated by conventional banking. Yet, beneath this surge in accessibility lies a stark reality: regulatory uncertainty threatens t