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Bank Of Cyprus Delivers Robust Profitability And Strong Shareholder Returns Amid Resilient Economic Conditions

The Bank of Cyprus has reported an impressive profit after tax of €353 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025. This result, which underscores the bank’s resilience in the current interest rate environment, is supported by a robust net interest income, strong liquidity, and improved cost efficiency.

Steady Growth And Lending Performance

In the third quarter alone, the bank recorded a profit after tax of €118 million, while maintaining a cost-to-income ratio of 35 per cent and a return on tangible equity (ROTE) of 18.4 per cent. New lending surged to €2.2 billion, reflecting a 31 per cent year-on-year increase driven largely by international and corporate demand. Gross performing loans increased by 6 per cent to reach €10.71 billion, supported by steady growth in both the domestic and international markets.

Enhanced Capital Strength And Risk Management

The bank has demonstrated strong capital generation, with organic gains of 326 basis points over the period. A robust capital position is evident with a Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 20.5 per cent and a total capital ratio of 25.4 per cent. Furthermore, the non-performing exposure (NPE) ratio improved to 1.2 per cent, while the cost of risk remained contained at 35 basis points. The successful refinancing of €300 million in Tier 2 notes at a favorable coupon rate of 4.25 per cent further enhanced the bank’s funding profile.

Commitment To Shareholders And Strategic Outlook

In line with its commitment to generating shareholder value, the Bank of Cyprus declared an interim dividend of €0.20 per ordinary share in October 2025 and reaffirmed its target of a 70 per cent payout ratio for the year. CEO Panicos Nicolaou emphasized the bank’s strong performance, noting the 6 per cent year-on-year growth in tangible book value per share to €5.86, complemented by total cash dividends of €0.68 per share in 2025.

Economic Resilience And Future Targets

Nicolaou highlighted that domestic economic growth in Cyprus is outpacing the Euro area average, with projections from the Finance Ministry indicating a 3.2 per cent real GDP growth for 2025. This dynamic environment has motivated the bank to raise its ROTE target for 2025 to the high-teens, with expectations to surpass 20 per cent ROTE at a 15 per cent CET1 ratio. The Bank of Cyprus remains committed to executing its strategic plan, ensuring robust support for its customers and the broader Cypriot economy while continuing to deliver attractive returns to its shareholders.

SEC Drops Lawsuit Against Gemini: A Major Turning Point In Crypto Regulation

SEC Dismisses Legal Action Against Gemini

The Securities and Exchange Commission has formally withdrawn its lawsuit against Gemini, the prominent crypto exchange founded by twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. The move follows a joint court filing in which both the regulator and Gemini sought dismissal of the case that centered on the collapse of the Gemini Earn investment product, a debacle that left investors without access to their funds for 18 months.

Settlement And Regulatory Reassessment

In a significant development, a 2024 settlement between New York and Gemini ensured that investors recovered one hundred percent of their crypto assets loaned through the Gemini Earn program. The legal reprieve comes on the heels of actions initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who accused Gemini of defrauding investors.

Political Backdrop And Industry Implications

This dismissal reinforces a broader trend of regulatory leniency toward the crypto sector noted during the Trump administration, which saw the SEC dismiss, pause, or reduce penalties in more than 60 percent of its pending crypto lawsuits. Meanwhile, Gemini’s recent public offering filing underscores its ambitions to solidify its status as a major player in the evolving digital asset market.

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