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The Central Bank of Cyprus has unveiled the CBC Blog, a new digital communication platform designed to deepen public understanding of economic developments and the role of central banking. The initiative, according to the bank, is part of a broader strategy to strengthen transparency and improve the flow of information to the public regarding economic conditions and monetary policy. Through this newly established blog, the central bank aims to publish timely, accessible and a

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) has underlined the substantial export potential arising from the newly concluded free trade agreement between the European Union and India, noting that the arrangement is expected to open important new pathways for European exporters, including businesses in Cyprus.   According to the chamber, the agreement, finalised in January 2026 and anticipated to take effect in the coming years, will make India’s vast market of around 1

European Central Bank and European Systemic Risk Board have jointly released a detailed analysis warning that expanding connections between traditional banks and the non-bank financial intermediation sector could create structural vulnerabilities capable of intensifying financial stress during adverse market environments. The joint publication, titled “Financial stability risks from linkages between banks and the non-bank financial intermediation sector”, concludes that while

Russia has reportedly made efforts to completely restrict access to WhatsApp within the country, according to the company, as authorities continue expanding controls over digital communication platforms. WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, said the action appears intended to redirect its user base — estimated to exceed 100 million people in Russia — toward what it described as a "state-owned surveillance app". The reported move follows additional restrictions imposed by Russian

The European Central Bank (ECB) has released its latest wage tracker data, indicating that negotiated wage growth across the euro area is set to moderate in 2026, reflecting easing pay pressures in the bloc.   The headline ECB wage tracker, which covers active collective bargaining agreements and smooths one-off payments over time, shows negotiated wage growth of 3.2 per cent in 2025, based on a coverage of 49.9 per cent of employees in participating countries, and 2.4 per ce

The volume of non-performing loans (NPLs) within the Cypriot banking system continued to improve, according to the latest report issued by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC), based on data as of November 30, 2025. The figures published by the CBC provide an overview of aggregate NPL indicators across the country’s entire banking sector. By the end of November 2025, the NPL ratio—excluding exposures to central banks and other credit institutions—fell to 4.0 per cent. This repres

Russia’s largest lender, Sberbank, is moving closer to launching loans secured by cryptocurrency and said on Friday that it is ready to work alongside the country’s central bank to help develop the regulatory framework required for such products, according to Reuters. The bank has already carried out an initial test of the model, having issued the country’s first bitcoin-backed loan in January to one of Russia’s largest bitcoin mining firms, IntelionData. Sberbank described t

The government led by former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews supported thousands of so-called “golden ticket” visas through a migration pathway that has since been accused of being vulnerable to exploitation, including alleged use in money-laundering activities. Data shows Victoria sponsored more wealthy migrants — particularly Chinese investors — through the Significant Investor Visa (SIV) program than any other Australian state. Newly released figures indicate the Victoria

Geopolitical tensions linked to Greenland contributed to renewed investor withdrawals from European and UK equity funds in January, according to the latest fund flow index from global funds network Calastone. Equity funds recorded net outflows of £697 million during the month, extending the streak of monthly selling to eight consecutive months. European and UK equity funds were hit the hardest by the trend. Calastone said flows were relatively balanced in the early part of Ja

Interest rates are widely expected to remain unchanged as the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) convenes for its first policy meeting of the year.   In December, the MPC voted to reduce the Bank rate from 4% to 3.75%, while indicating that borrowing costs were “likely to continue on a gradual downward path.” The Bank rate is the committee’s main instrument for steering inflation — which measures the yearly pace of rising prices — toward its 2% target. It also

Gold prices jumped more than 5 per cent on Tuesday, putting the metal on pace for its strongest single-day performance since November 2008, while silver also rallied sharply as precious metals rebounded from their steepest two-day decline in decades. Market analysts say the recovery may have further to run, with expectations that both metals could reach new record highs later this year. Spot gold rose 5.8 per cent to $4,935.56 an ounce by 0818 GMT. The move followed a sharp s

Euro area net saving declined to €863 billion in the four quarters to the third quarter of 2025, down from €877 billion recorded in the four quarters to the previous quarter, according to data published by the European Central Bank. The latest figure represented 6.9 per cent of euro area net disposable income. Over the same period, net non-financial investment across the euro area rose to €590 billion, equivalent to 4.7 per cent of net disposable income, with the ECB noting t

A recent survey conducted by the European Central Bank indicated a modest increase in how consumers perceive past inflation, alongside notable movements in expectations related to inflation, income, growth, housing and credit conditions. According to the ECB, the median rate of inflation perceived by consumers over the previous 12 months edged up to 3.2 per cent, compared with 3.1 per cent recorded in November. At the same time, median expectations for inflation over the comi

Household real consumption per capita in the euro area rose by 0.4 per cent during the third quarter of 2025, maintaining the same pace of growth recorded in the previous quarter, according to data released by Eurostat.   Over the same three-month period, household real income per capita in the euro area increased by a more modest 0.1 per cent, following a stronger rise of 0.5 per cent in the second quarter of 2025.   Across the European Union as a whole, household real consu

Institutional investors are allocating to private markets at unprecedented levels, according to newly released research that points to a sustained shift in global portfolio construction. The latest annual Private Markets Study from UK-based Aviva Investors shows that private markets now account for 12.5% of total portfolios worldwide. The research also indicates that momentum is far from slowing. Nearly half of respondents (49%) said they expect to raise their exposure to pri

The world’s richest football clubs generated record revenues of €12.4 billion in the 2024-25 season, underscoring a decisive shift away from reliance on domestic broadcast deals and toward commercial growth, stadium monetisation, and global brand expansion, according to the latest Deloitte Football Money League. The 29th edition of the annual report shows revenues among the top 20 clubs rising 11% year on year, with Real Madrid once again leading the way after becoming the fi

Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis has concluded a three-day working visit to the United Kingdom, during which she held a series of high-level meetings in London with British officials and key figures from the international maritime sector.   The discussions provided an opportunity to outline Cyprus’ national shipping policy and to present the priorities associated with the country’s forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union.   The visit too

Gold climbed to a new all-time high on Wednesday, while global equity markets retreated, as investors reacted to escalating geopolitical tensions and awaited the arrival of US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos.   Precious metals advanced, stocks weakened, and concerns over the US dollar resurfaced amid a deepening dispute between the United States and the European Union over Greenland.   The price of gold surged past $4,800 per ounce, marking another

Beginning January 16, Chinese passport holders traveling to the Philippines for tourism or business purposes may enter the country without a visa for stays of up to 14 days. The initiative, which will remain in force for one year, is limited to arrivals through two major gateways: the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Cebu. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced the new arrangement on Thurs

Interest rates set by the Bank of England are likely to keep moving lower as inflation appears on track to return to the central bank’s 2 per cent goal sooner than previously expected, according to comments made by policymaker Alan Taylor on Wednesday.   Speaking in prepared remarks for an event at the National University of Singapore, Taylor said the inflation outlook had improved notably compared with earlier projections. “We can now see inflation at target in mid-2026, rat