Breaking news

Bank Of Cyprus Approves 2025 Results With €3 Billion Lending And €481 Million Profit

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 31, 2026

Robust Growth And Strategic Initiatives

Bank of Cyprus said its board approved the annual financial report for the year ended December 31, 2025, including audited consolidated results for the group. The report covers Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company, Bank of Cyprus Public Company Limited, and subsidiaries. The document is available through the bank’s investor relations platform.

Impressive Lending Volume And Financial Performance

New lending reached €3 billion, up 23% year on year. Gross performing loans increased to €10.9 billion, rising 8%. Retail deposits grew to €22.2 billion, also up 8%. Profit after tax totaled €481 million, including €128 million in the fourth quarter. Return on tangible equity stood at 18.6%, while basic earnings per share reached €1.10.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Operational Efficiency And Resilience

Cost to income ratio was 37%, reflecting operating efficiency. Non-performing exposure ratio stood at 1.2%, while cost of risk was 33 basis points. Liquidity coverage ratio reached 321%, supported by surplus liquidity of €9.2 billion.

Enhanced Capital And Stress Test Performance

Common equity tier 1 ratio stood at 21.0%, while total capital ratio reached 25.9% as of December 31, 2025. Capital levels were supported by profitability despite distributions and business growth. The bank participated in the 2025 European Central Bank supervisory stress test and reported results above the average of participating institutions. Regulatory buffers are set to increase, with the countercyclical buffer rising from about 0.90% to 1.50% and the systemically important institution buffer from 1.9375% to 2.25% starting January 2026.

Shareholder Value And Dividend Policy

The bank targets a payout ratio between 50% and 70%. Total distribution for 2025 reached €305 million, equal to 70% of adjusted recurring profitability. This includes a cash dividend of €0.70 per share. An interim dividend of €0.20 per share was paid in October 2025. A final dividend of €0.50 per share is proposed for approval at the annual general meeting on May 15, 2026, compared with €0.48 per share in 2024. A share buyback programme resulted in the cancellation of more than 5.1 million shares at an average price of €5.83.

Strategic Acquisitions And Future Outlook

Recent developments include a minority investment in Wealthyhood and the acquisition of a performing loan portfolio and deposits from Cyprus Development Bank Public Company Limited. These transactions expand the bank’s portfolio alongside existing liquidity and capital levels.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus Promotes Ship Registry In Asia As Fleet Grows To 25-Year High

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 19, 2026

Cyprus is stepping up efforts to attract international shipowners, with Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis holding high-level meetings in China and Japan as the country’s ship register reaches its strongest level in 25 years.

Running from October 14 to 29, the Asian mission focuses on expanding commercial ties, promoting the advantages of the Cyprus flag and strengthening cooperation with shipowners, shipbuilders and maritime authorities.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

China Meetings Target Shipowners And Industry Leaders

In Shanghai, Hadjimanolis met Wang Qian, vice-director of the Shanghai Pudong New Area Commission of Commerce and Shipping Service Office, ahead of the North Bund International Shipping Forum on October 20–21. Organisers expect around 4,000 participants from more than 50 countries and regions, with discussions covering international shipping, maritime safety, financing, insurance, digitalisation and the transition to cleaner fuels.

The minister also met representatives of Dalian Trawind Shipping and Fortuna Shipbrokers Inc. to present the Cyprus registry’s advantages and explore registration opportunities for vessel owners. On October 20, she is scheduled to speak at the 10th Annual Capital Link International Shipping Forum in Pudong, joining a ministerial roundtable on international maritime leadership.

A visit to Zhoushan is also planned for the naming ceremony of Kypros Island, a new vessel for the Cyprus register owned by Safe Bulkers. Launched in June at the Tsuneishi shipyard on Xiushan Island, the 81,200-deadweight-tonne methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier is scheduled for delivery at the end of October. According to the Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration, sea trials were due to take place between October 11 and 16.

Japan Engagements Strengthen Maritime Ties

Before travelling to China, Hadjimanolis met Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kenta Aoshima, in Tokyo on October 16. Her programme also included meetings with senior representatives of Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Nihon Shipyard, NYK Line, ITOCHU Corporation and SSY Projects, focusing on cooperation with Japanese shipowners, shipbuilders and shipping operators.

At the 5th Annual Capital Link Japan Maritime Forum, held at the Tokyo American Club, Hadjimanolis discussed maritime leadership, competitiveness, policy and international cooperation with Capital Link founder and president Nicolas Bornozis. Other sessions examined Japan’s shipbuilding strategy, new-vessel financing and the development of ammonia-powered ships.

The Tokyo programme followed a Cyprus Ship Registry reception on October 15 for representatives of Japan’s maritime and business communities. Hadjimanolis outlined the country’s shipping services and regulatory framework, while Polys Hajioannou, chief executive of Safe Bulkers and president of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners, delivered the opening remarks.

Registry Reaches Highest Level In 25 Years

At the reception, Hadjimanolis said the Cyprus Ship Registry had grown by 27% since September 2023, reaching its highest level in a quarter of a century. She attributed the expansion to efforts to improve competitiveness, simplify administrative procedures and provide more responsive services to international shipowners.

Cyprus’s inclusion on the White Lists of the Paris and Tokyo Memoranda of Understanding was another point highlighted by the minister. These lists reflect the safety and inspection performance of ships flying a national flag.

Existing commercial links with Japan include Safe Bulkers’ announcement in May of four Japanese-built dry bulk vessels scheduled for delivery in 2029.

South Korea Next On The Maritime Agenda

Hadjimanolis’ mission will continue in South Korea, where she is expected to attend the 2026 World Maritime Day Parallel Event and Korea Maritime Week alongside International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and government representatives from several countries.

Her programme will also include discussions on implementing international maritime conventions and bilateral talks aimed at strengthening Cyprus’s shipping ties with South Korea.

The Asian outreach comes as maritime centres compete for shipowners amid geopolitical uncertainty, fleet renewal and pressure to reduce shipping emissions. For Cyprus, the strategy combines promotion of its registry with closer relationships across Asia’s shipbuilding and shipping sectors.