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Cyprus Sees Rise In Auctions Of Homes Priced Below €350,000

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 20, 2026

A confidential report from the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) reveals a striking upward trend in the auction of primary residences, particularly those valued below €350,000, marking a significant financial shift in the local property market.

Overview Of Auction Trends

The lifting of a moratorium on the sale of properties valued up to €350,000 in early 2024 led to a noticeable rise in auctions. Data obtained by Stockwatch shows a steady increase in the number of primary residences entering the auction process following the policy change. In the third quarter of 2025, most of the 98 homes auctioned fell within this lower-value category.

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Data Reveals Sharp Increases

Q3 2025 figures show that 93 of the 98 auctioned homes were valued below €350,000, while only five exceeded that threshold. This represents a sharp increase compared with earlier quarters in 2024, when only five to six primary residences were auctioned. The data also shows that 77 of the lower-value properties were repurchased by mortgage lenders after the first auction, indicating growing financial pressure on borrowers.

Loan Repossession And Legal Implications

Under the Immovable Property (Transfer and Mortgage) Law, the auction process typically allows four to six months between initial notice and sale, although legal objections and restructuring efforts can delay proceedings. During Q3 2025, authorities issued 731 auction-related notices to borrowers with properties valued below €350,000, compared with 81 notices for higher-value homes.

Legislative Efforts And Future Outlook

Legislative measures aimed at protecting borrowers remain pending. A law passed at the end of 2023 to establish a specialized court for foreclosure cases has not yet been implemented. Recent changes expanding the powers of the Financial Commissioner allow more borrowers to seek out-of-court restructuring, although decisions remain non-binding. Around 30 legislative proposals are currently under discussion, with parliamentary debate expected as elections approach.

The rise in lower-value property auctions highlights increasing pressure on households and the wider property market. Policymakers now face growing calls to balance financial stability with stronger protections for vulnerable borrowers.

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Bank of Cyprus Upgrade Signals Fresh Optimism For Greek And Cypriot Banks

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 26, 2026

Regional Banks Enter A More Favorable Cycle

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank are well positioned to benefit from a renewed re-rating of Greek and Cypriot bank stocks, according to Cyprus-based investment firm Roemer Capital, which upgraded Bank of Cyprus to a buy rating and reaffirmed its positive view on Eurobank.

The firm cited easing geopolitical tensions, resilient economic growth in Greece and Cyprus, lower funding costs and Greece’s expected transition to developed-market status as the main factors supporting the sector.

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Roemer Capital also lowered its cost of equity assumptions, updated its forecasts following first-quarter 2026 results and extended its valuation horizon to the end of 2027, raising target prices across its banking coverage.

Bank Of Cyprus Gets The Largest Upgrade

Bank of Cyprus received the biggest revision, with Roemer Capital upgrading the stock from hold to buy and setting a target price of €11.10, implying potential total upside of 27%.

The firm highlighted the bank’s strong capital generation, profitability and projected 100% dividend payout, describing it as the strongest capital-return story among the banks under coverage. Roemer Capital maintained its buy rating on Eurobank, assigning a target price of €4.90 and forecasting potential upside of 28%. The report said the bank is well placed to benefit from loan growth, improving operating performance and merger-and-acquisition synergies.

National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank also retained buy ratings, with expected returns ranging from 25% to 36%. Optima Bank was upgraded to buy, while Alpha Bank remained at hold on valuation grounds.

Why Growth Still Sets The Region Apart

According to Roemer Capital, Greek and Cypriot banks continue to benefit from stronger economic fundamentals than many western European peers. The report pointed to faster economic growth, healthier balance sheets, low levels of non-performing exposures, capital ratios approaching 20% and strong customer deposit bases.

Analysts expect performing loans across the sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2028, supported by private investment, digitalisation, green manufacturing, supply-chain expansion and a gradual recovery in household lending.

The report also said the conclusion of lending under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility is unlikely to materially affect credit growth, as banks have already shifted back towards traditional commercial lending. Roemer Capital expects Euribor to remain between 2.2% and 2.5%, a level it believes should support both lending activity and net interest margins.

Geopolitics, Valuation And Market Structure Support The Case

The report said improving geopolitical conditions have strengthened the investment outlook, noting that Brent crude prices have largely returned to pre-war levels while Greek government bond yields have stabilised at around 3.5%. Although geopolitical risks remain, Roemer Capital believes the likelihood of a major inflationary shock or significant pressure on bank profitability has eased.

Another important catalyst identified by the firm is Greece’s expected promotion to developed-market status by FTSE Russell, STOXX and MSCI over the coming months.

According to the report, the reclassification should improve liquidity and attract a broader base of international investors. Roemer Capital also said Euronext’s acquisition of the Athens Exchange is expected to strengthen market infrastructure and increase international visibility, particularly for Bank of Cyprus and Optima Bank.

The firm noted that Bank of Cyprus has already benefited from its Athens listing, with average daily trading value increasing from less than €400,000 before its September 2024 move to nearly €6 million afterwards.

Economic Momentum Remains A Core Tailwind

Roemer Capital said both Greece and Cyprus have moved beyond post-crisis recovery and are now supported by private-sector-led growth. For Cyprus, the report highlighted recent tax reform and efforts to simplify the legal and regulatory framework, while also noting that limited foreign banking competition continues to support domestic lenders.

Overall, Roemer Capital expects Greek and Cypriot banks to remain well-positioned for profitable loan growth over the coming years.