Breaking news

Cyprus Development Bank Net Income Falls 25% In 2025

Financial Performance Overview

The Cyprus Development Bank Group reported total net income of €17.2 million for 2025, a 25% decline compared with €22.8 million in 2024. The earnings drop was largely attributed to a significant decrease in net interest income driven by lower interest rates and a slight contraction in interest-earning assets.

Declines In Interest Income And Expense

Net interest income fell 28% year-on-year to €13.8 million from €19.1 million, as interest income declined 31% to €17.5 million. At the same time, interest expenses decreased 39% to €3.8 million, largely driven by lower deposit-related costs, while interest paid on client deposits dropped 34%. Expenses linked to loan capital also declined following the non-payment of the perpetual unsecured subordinated note.

Asset Quality And Revenue Mix

The bank’s net interest margin narrowed to 2.54% from 3.44%, while average interest-earning assets decreased 1.3% to €548 million. Non-interest income also declined 6% to €3.5 million, although operating expenses were reduced by 5%, mainly due to lower staffing costs. Staff expenses fell 10% following the absence of one-off costs recorded in the previous year, despite salary increases and a slight reduction in headcount.

Balance Sheet And Liquidity Strength

Total assets decreased 3% to €602 million, primarily reflecting lower loans and advances. Despite the decline, the group maintained strong liquidity levels, with the liquidity coverage ratio standing at 296%, significantly above the regulatory minimum requirement of 100%, although lower than the 348% recorded in 2024. Meanwhile, the net stable funding ratio remained at 236%, while liquid assets increased slightly to €407 million, representing 68% of total assets.

Loan Portfolio And Risk Management

Gross loans and advances declined 11% to €190 million as customer repayments continued exceeding new lending activity. New lending fell 60% to €13.5 million, while performing loans declined 10% to €158 million. The group also reported improvements in non-performing exposure metrics, with the NPE ratio decreasing from 17.7% to 16.9%, while net NPEs declined to €17.9 million and the NPE coverage ratio increased to 44.1%.

Capital Adequacy And Regulatory Compliance

The bank maintained a CET1 ratio of 21.93% and an overall capital adequacy ratio of 27.12%, both remaining comfortably above regulatory requirements. CET1 capital declined 3.58% to €45.6 million, partly due to supervisory adjustments related to legacy non-performing exposures and real estate assets, although the impact was partially offset by lower risk-weighted assets following updated regulatory rules.

Outlook And Strategic Priorities

The group confirmed that its financial statements continue to be prepared on a going concern basis, supported by strong liquidity and capital buffers. Management also pointed to the agreement signed in March with Bank of Cyprus regarding the sale of substantially all performing loans and deposits.

According to the bank, capital and liquidity requirements are expected to remain compliant through 2028, while no dividend will be paid for 2025 as the group continues focusing on strengthening balance sheet resilience, improving asset quality, diversifying income streams and reducing non-performing exposures.

Europe’s Most Popular Castles And Palaces For 2026: Prague Castle Leads As Heritage Travel Surges

As autumn settles across Europe, culture is moving to the top of the travel agenda. According to the European Travel Commission, cooler months such as October and November are increasingly prompting travellers to build trips around history, heritage and landmark experiences.

TUI Musement’s latest data reinforces that shift. The travel company found that 94% of respondents say they are interested, or very interested, in experiences tied to history, culture and heritage on their next city break. Meanwhile, eight in 10 said they have already visited a monument or landmark near where they live.

Against that backdrop, TUI Musement has released a new ranking of Europe’s 30 most popular castles and palaces for 2026, based on accumulated Google reviews. The analysis compares review volumes from 2023 and 2026, offering a useful snapshot of which historic sites are gaining the most traction with visitors.

Spain Stands Out In A Wide-ranging European List

The ranking reveals a broad geographic spread, but Spain emerges as the most represented country, with six sites in the top 30. Both the Alhambra in Granada and the Royal Palace of Madrid secured places in the top 10, underscoring the country’s enduring appeal as a destination for heritage tourism.

At the top of the list, Prague Castle retains first place, while Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna climbs into the top three. The only new entrant is Buda Castle in Budapest, which posted a 65% increase in accumulated Google reviews compared with 2023.

The Top 10 Castles And Palaces In Europe

Prague Castle remains the benchmark for European heritage tourism. With 199,000 reviews, a 31% increase from 2023, it is one of the largest palace complexes in the world and a concentrated showcase of centuries of history. Visitors can explore St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane with a single ticket.

In second place is Buckingham Palace, one of London’s most recognisable landmarks and one of the official residences of the British monarchy. Its daily Changing of the Guard continues to draw crowds, while summer opening periods allow visitors inside the state rooms.

Schönbrunn Palace moves up to third, marking the 30th anniversary of its designation as a World Heritage Site. In Vienna, the palace offers a window into Austria’s imperial past and the dynastic legacy that shaped the country’s history.

Versailles follows in fourth place. The former residence of the kings of France remains one of Europe’s most significant historical sites, with the Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments and formal gardens helping tell the story of absolutism, monarchy and the later Treaty of Versailles.

Wawel Castle in Kraków holds fifth place despite slipping two positions. Once the residence and coronation site of Poland’s kings, it remains one of the country’s most important cultural attractions, with the Dragon’s Den statue at its base adding another layer of local symbolism.

Spain claims sixth and seventh place. The Alhambra in Granada ranks sixth with its palaces, gardens and fortresses, including the Nasrid Palaces, Generalife, Alcazaba and Palace of Charles V. The Royal Palace of Madrid climbs to seventh after a 47% rise in accumulated Google reviews since 2023. Still used for official receptions, it also opens select highlights such as the throne room, Gasparini Room and royal chapel to the public.

London appears again in eighth place with the Tower of London, a fortress that has played a defining role in English history. Today, it is best known as the home of the Crown Jewels and for its Yeoman Warders and resident ravens, which have become part of its enduring identity.

Neuschwanstein Castle rises to ninth place after a strong increase in reviews. Set in the Bavarian Alps, the fairy-tale palace reflects the imagination of King Ludwig II of Bavaria and his fascination with art, architecture and medieval legend.

Rounding out the top 10 is Bran Castle in Romania, long associated with the Dracula myth but historically important in its own right. Beyond its fictional reputation, the fortress tells the story of Transylvania through its role as a frontier stronghold and later a royal residence.

The Top 10 Most Popular Castles In Europe

1. Prague Castle, Czechia
2. Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom
3. Schönbrunn Palace, Austria
4. Palace of Versailles, France
5. Wawel Castle, Poland
6. The Alhambra, Spain
7. The Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain
8. The Tower of London, United Kingdom
9. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
10. Bran Castle, Romania

For travellers looking beyond the usual city break circuit, the message is clear: Europe’s castles and palaces are not just surviving history. They remain some of the continent’s most powerful magnets for modern tourism.

Aretilaw firm
eCredo
Uol
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter