The Athens Stock Exchange today welcomed the management, executives and partners of Piraeus Bank on the completion of the merger by absorption of Piraeus Financial Holdings by Piraeus Bank and the commencement of trading of its shares on the Main Market of the Athens Stock Exchange. The CEO of Piraeus Bank, Mr Christos Megalou, rang the opening bell of today’s trading session.

“With a presence spanning more than a century, Piraeus Bank constitutes a key pillar of stability and reliability within the Greek financial system. Its long-standing course has evolved in parallel with that of the Greek economy, throughout which it has consistently demonstrated resilience, continuity and adaptability. The Bank’s commitment to transparency, prudent risk management and the enhancement of market liquidity contributes to strengthening confidence among investors, market participants and society. Today’s milestone highlights both the historic course of Piraeus Bank and its ongoing commitment to sustainable, long-term growth and to supporting the Greek economy. It further confirms its institutional consistency, credibility and leading role, as well as its continued contribution to the Greek capital market and investor confidence,” stated the CEO of the Athens Exchange Group, Mr Yianos Kontopoulos.

On his part, the CEO of Piraeus Bank, Mr Christos Megalou, stated, among other things: “Today marks a significant milestone for Piraeus. With the completion of the merger through the absorption of Piraeus Financial Holdings by the Bank, a major transformation cycle comes to an end, and a new phase of unified strength and momentum begins. Piraeus is now a bank with a healthy balance sheet, strong capital position, satisfactory profitability and a clear strategic direction. The new unified corporate structure enhances governance, transparency and operational effectiveness, laying the foundations for sustainable growth. With confidence in the prospects of the Greek economy, we remain committed to strongly support businesses, households and investment activity, while creating long-term value for our shareholders and the society.”

The President of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, Ms. Vassiliki Lazarakou, underlined the following: “Today marks an important day not only for Piraeus Bank, but also for the banking system. The listing of Piraeus Bank’s shares on the Athens Stock Exchange signifies the completion of a corporate transformation that made a substantial contribution to the effective management of non-performing loans and constituted a strategic step towards safeguarding financial stability. Through initiatives such as this, the Greek banking system has demonstrated its ability to address past challenges with determination and to establish solid foundations for sustainable growth. I would like to congratulate Mr Megalou, the Bank’s management and executives, as well as all the stakeholders involved, on the consistency and responsibility with which this complex process was carried out. With institutional vigilance and a firm commitment to the objective of a strong capital market, we support initiatives that strengthen entrepreneurship and contribute to the stability and growth of the Greek economy.”

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