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Bank of Cyprus Receives Notable Ratings Upgrade By Fitch

In a remarkable financial development, Fitch Ratings has elevated the ratings of the Bank of Cyprus Public Company Limited (BoC) from ‘BB+’ to ‘BBB-‘, indicating a strong positive outlook. This upgrade underscores the bank’s enhanced asset quality and robust capitalization.

The rating improvement is largely attributed to the bank’s strategic reduction in problematic legacy assets, such as non-performing exposures (NPEs) and net foreclosed properties. This has enabled a healthier capital structure with reduced encumbrance by unresolved problem assets.

Fitch notes that despite lowering interest rates, BoC’s profitability remains solid thanks to its competence as the largest domestic bank in Cyprus. With consistent deleveraging, it is poised for ongoing financial stability.

Prospective Economic Growth For Cypriot Banks

The favorable outlook anticipates better business and financial prospects amidst Cyprus’s economic growth, with decreasing unemployment and lower private sector debt. BoC’s plans to expand into wealth management and insurance activities stand to gain from these economic trends.

Expectations are that the ratio of BoC’s problem assets will drop below 5% within two years, thanks to diminishing NPE portfolios and active disposals of foreclosed assets. Last year, the bank’s operating profit/risk-weighted assets (RWA) ratio was a robust 5.4%, indicating a sustainable path forward.

Financial Strength And Stability

By the end of 2024, BoC boasted a common equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 19.2%, with a notable buffer over regulatory demands. The bank’s CET1 encumbrance by problem assets fell significantly owing to further disposals.

Supported by a strong Cypriot deposit base, BoC maintains excellent liquidity. Looking ahead, while a downgrade is improbable, Fitch warns that any economic downturn in Cyprus could impact ratings. However, further elevation of the operating environment for Cypriot banks could enhance BoC’s business profile.

If you’re curious about technological advancements in Cyprus, read AI At Work: Cyprus Among Europe’s Most AI-Skeptical Nations.

bbf: Presents :eden coast — The Art Of Living By The Mediterranean

Some destinations are remembered for where they are. Others for how they make us feel.

Life by the Mediterranean has a quality of its own. Defined by light, open horizons and a slower pace, it encourages a way of living where time is measured less by the clock and more by the moments that matter. It is this philosophy that inspired :eden coast.

With the unveiling of :eden coast, bbf: introduces an exceptional collection of beachfront villas in Geroskipou, Paphos, where architecture is conceived as a natural extension of its surroundings. Every residence has been designed to honour the coastline, allowing the sea, the light and the changing seasons to become the defining elements of everyday life.

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At :eden coast, luxury reveals itself with quiet confidence so nothing feels excessive. It is expressed in generous space, carefully composed proportions, enduring materials and an effortless relationship between interior and exterior. Expansive glazing welcomes the Mediterranean sky indoors, while private gardens, terraces and pools encourage a life lived as much outside as within.

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Few locations offer such a natural balance between tranquillity and connectivity. Set along a quieter stretch of Paphos’ coastline, :eden coast enjoys the rare privilege of beachfront living away from the crowds, where the landscape remains unspoilt and the rhythm of the Mediterranean shapes every day. Yet the cultural richness of Paphos, its vibrant dining scene, international airport and every modern convenience are all within easy reach, allowing residents to retreat into complete serenity without ever feeling removed from the world around them.

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Beyond the residences, a carefully curated collection of wellness and leisure experiences extends this philosophy. Landscaped gardens, elegant swimming pools, spaces dedicated to movement and wellbeing, and thoughtfully designed communal areas encourage a slower, richer way of living. They are not amenities in the conventional sense; they are an expression of a lifestyle shaped by balance, privacy and quiet sophistication.

“Our ambition was never simply to create beautiful residences. It was to create a place where architecture, landscape and everyday life exist in complete harmony—a place that feels as though it has always belonged to the coastline,”

says Artem Burtsev at bbf:.

In a world that rarely slows down, :eden coast offers something increasingly rare: the freedom to live at a different pace. Here, mornings begin with the sea, nature sets the rhythm of the day, and the energy of Paphos is always within easy reach. It is a place where tranquillity and connectivity exist in perfect balance, allowing residents to experience the Mediterranean not as a destination, but as a way of life.

For more information:
edencoast.cy
+357 26 962 365

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