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Bank Of Cyprus To Acquire CDB Assets, Adding €500 Million In Deposits

Acquisition Highlights And Strategic Rationale

The Bank of Cyprus (BoC) has announced a significant milestone in its growth strategy. The institution has reached an agreement to acquire performing loans, deposits, and selected assets and liabilities from the Cyprus Development Bank (CDB). This move strengthens BoC’s core operations and reinforces its funding base through an infusion of approximately €500 million in deposits.

Portfolio Details And Financial Impact

As part of the deal, BoC will take on a portfolio of performing loans with a gross book value of approximately €150 million. The transaction is expected to be completed at par, reflecting the quality of the assets, with a limited impact on capital of around 35 basis points. It is also expected to contribute modestly to the bank’s earnings.

Regulatory Approvals And Shareholder Support

Completion of the acquisition remains subject to regulatory approvals, finalisation of documentation, and approval by CDB shareholders. BoC has already secured irrevocable commitments from shareholders representing around 96% of CDB’s share capital, indicating strong backing for the transaction. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending these approvals.

Implications For Strategic Growth

The acquisition supports BoC’s approach to targeted growth by expanding both its performing loan portfolio and deposit base. This allows the bank to strengthen its balance sheet while continuing to grow without increasing risk exposure or affecting its dividend policy. The deal also reflects a focus on incremental expansion rather than large-scale acquisitions.

Advisory And Expert Guidance

The transaction is being advised by renowned financial experts, with KPMG Limited serving as the financial advisor and Hadjianastassiou Ioannides LLC acting as legal and competition counsel. This expert guidance further underscores the thorough and measured approach adopted by BoC in executing its strategic initiatives.

Clive Owen Films Scorpion In Cyprus In One Of The Island’s Biggest Productions

Cyprus Secures Another High-Profile Production

Oscar-nominated British actor Clive Owen is filming Scorpion in Cyprus, a new action thriller from Copper Island that is understood to have one of the highest daily production budgets ever recorded for a film shoot on the island.

Filming began in Cyprus on July 6 and is scheduled to conclude later this month in Bulgaria. The production marks another high-profile international project to choose Cyprus as a filming location.

A Cast Built For International Sales

Alongside Owen, the film stars Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike, The Butler, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare) and Reda Elazouar (Sex Education, The Family Plan). The cast also includes Ronan Summers, Jake Ryan, Mark Rhino Smith, Joey Ansah, Alex Cooke and Luke Bouchier.

The screenplay is by Richard Hughes and Bennett Fisher. Copper Island’s Matt Murphy, David Mansfield and Luke Bouchier are producing, while WestEnd Films is handling international sales. The company is expected to present the first footage at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

A Survival Thriller

Scorpion follows Jason, a rookie police officer assigned to an elite special operations unit made up of Afghanistan war veterans. After arriving at an isolated farmhouse, the team is cut off from the outside world and given an ultimatum: every 30 minutes one member will die unless someone reveals the truth about a covert military operation carried out years earlier.

Cyprus’ Role In The Production

The production credited the Cyprus Film Commission for its support, with Copper Island founder Matt Murphy thanking both the commission and the local crew.

Owen also praised the experience of filming in Cyprus, describing the local crew as highly professional and highlighting the island’s diverse filming locations.

Copper Island Expands Its International Portfolio

Limassol-based Copper Island has worked on several international productions, including The Leader, which premiered at Tribeca, as well as Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire and Ron Howard’s Eden.

The company is also supporting Cypriot productions, including Apart by Stelana Kliridou and The Well by Marios Piperides, which is completing post-production in Limassol.

Matt Murphy is also serving as executive producer of the upcoming Anxious People, starring Angelina Jolie.

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