Breaking news

Alpha Bank Elevates Transaction Banking Through Strategic Corporate Workshops

Alpha Bank has successfully concluded a series of high-caliber corporate workshops across Athens, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion, Crete. This initiative, attended by over 100 senior executives from nearly 70 companies, underscores the bank’s commitment to delivering innovative Transaction Banking solutions.

Empowering Business Leaders With Advanced Financial Tools

The workshops provided an immersive environment where participants explored the latest Transaction Banking tools, focusing primarily on Trade Finance and Treasury. With the promise of expanding the series to additional regions in Greece starting in September, the sessions enabled corporate leaders to gain hands-on insights and engage with senior Alpha Bank executives on best business practices and market challenges.

Customized Content for Evolving Market Needs

Each event was carefully tailored to address specific business imperatives. In Heraklion, the spotlight was on the advantages of digital transaction banking services, fostering enhanced operational efficiency. Thessaloniki’s sessions emphasized opportunities for international expansion through specialized Trade Finance and Treasury instruments. Meanwhile, the Athens workshop not only showcased Alpha Bank’s flagship Transaction Banking products but also delivered a thorough analysis of market dynamics, including the implications of US tariff policies.

Industry Experts Driving Strategic Insights

Alpha Bank’s panel featured prominent figures such as Vangelis Patrinos, Chief of Wholesale Trade Lending and Transaction Banking, Panagiotis Kapopoulos, Chief Economist, and other seasoned professionals including Kiki Karagianni, Giorgos Markouizos, and Ioanna Apostolidi. Their expert insights on products like Import LC Discounting and innovative energy risk hedging solutions—such as Energy Swaps—highlighted the bank’s proactive approach in addressing current financial market challenges.

Strengthening Competitive Edge Through Innovation

“The success of our initial series of corporate events in Heraklion, Thessaloniki, and Athens reaffirms our commitment to empowering Greek businesses with tailored financial solutions,” stated Alexandros Manatos, Transaction Banking Solutions Director at Alpha Bank. “Our events have not only provided detailed insights into advanced Trade Finance and Treasury tools but also demonstrated how these innovations can drive competitiveness and effective management of market challenges.”

Through these strategic workshops, Alpha Bank solidifies its leadership in Transaction Banking by continuously adapting to the evolving economic landscape and strengthening business resilience across Greece.

Cyprus Tourism Shows Strength As Clean Monday Hotel Bookings Surge

Hotels Embrace A Bright Outlook

Recent figures point to growing momentum in hotel reservations ahead of the Clean Monday weekend, signaling renewed confidence in Cyprus’ tourism sector. Christos Angelides, Director of PASYXE, emphasized the positive trend while also underscoring the need to gradually extend the tourism season beyond traditional peak months.

Favorable Conditions And Festive Spirit

Angelides noted that bookings recorded during the past weekend reached encouraging levels, a development attributed to multiple converging factors. The return of sunny weather after prolonged rainfall, coupled with the festive aura of carnival events and children’s parades in cities such as Nicosia, Limassol, and Paphos, has motivated many to opt for short getaways. This seasonal momentum is further boosted by the strategic initiatives of local hotels, many of which are curating special menus for Clean Monday events, offering guests an enhanced stay experience by keeping them on-premise.

Positioning For The Off-Season

Despite the positive indicators, Angelides cautioned that average occupancy rates of 25%–30% highlight the need for continued innovation rather than complacency. He described the current period as part of a longer process of building winter tourism and pointed to opportunities in conferences, corporate events and niche travel segments as potential drivers of year-round demand.

Expanding Air Connectivity and Collective Ecosystem

Industry expectations are further supported by expanded air connections from established markets such as the United Kingdom and Israel, alongside increased routes from Armenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia and Poland. While recovery in the German market remains gradual, broader improvements in connectivity continue to strengthen overall tourism prospects. Angelides added that sustainable year-round tourism depends on a wider ecosystem that extends beyond accommodation to include restaurants, museums, cultural venues and community events.

The Path Forward

Cyprus continues to benefit from strong competitive advantages in climate, accessibility and hospitality infrastructure. With coordinated planning across tourism stakeholders and consistent investment in diversified offerings, the sector is positioned to contribute more steadily to the national economy and support a more balanced, all-season travel model.

Uol
Aretilaw firm
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
eCredo

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter