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CITEA Elects New Board With Strategic Industry Leadership

The Cyprus Information Technology Enterprises Association (CITEA), a prominent entity within the Employers and Industrialists Federation (Oev), has unveiled its newly elected board of directors for the 2026–2027 term following its annual general meeting.

Key Leadership Appointments

George Malekkos of GM Powersoft Insights has been appointed president, affirming his position as a visionary leader in the tech industry. IBM’s Antonia Michael was selected as vice president, reinforcing the board’s commitment to innovation and strategic growth.

Diverse Expertise Across the Industry

The new board panel comprises distinguished professionals representing a broad spectrum of the technology and professional services landscape. Notable members include Nikos Kaisis of AA AcenetWorks, Michalis Michael of AC Goldman Solutions, Aris Anastasiadis of Advance Business Solutions, Andreas Kasiouris of Ath Loizou, and Stelios Kolou of AT Multitech.

Further extending its industry reach, the board also welcomes Stavros Theofilou of Blue Sun Automation, Michalis Nicolaou of CDMA Services, Elena Strouthou of Cocoon Creations, Alexandros Makrygiannis of Cyta, and Angelos Kountouris of Cytacom.

Expert Insights And Strategic Collaboration

Adding to the board’s strategic expertise, representatives from leading consulting and audit firms—Michalis Ziniaris of Deloitte, Minos Georgakis of PwC, and Thomas Hoplaros of Simplex—will further strengthen CITEA’s influence. At the public segment of the meeting, Themis Papasolomontos, deputy director of the Department of Industry and Technology, delivered remarks on behalf of the Minister of Energy, underscoring the collaborative synergy between the ministry and CITEA. Oev President Giorgos Pantelides also emphasized the association’s pivotal role within the federation.

Looking Forward

The ceremony concluded with outgoing President Dimitris Nisiotis reflecting on the board’s significant contributions over his tenure, highlighting key initiatives and collaborative successes that have defined CITEA’s robust role in supporting its member community. As the association embarks on a new chapter, the fresh board is poised to drive further advancements in Cyprus’s technology sector.

Alpha Bank Reports Strong Underlying Q1 Performance Despite Capital Pressure

Robust Operational Performance

Alpha Bank’s first quarter 2026 report demonstrates a solid operational foundation, as confirmed by analyses from leading institutions such as Citi, JPMorgan, Jefferies, and Deutsche Bank. Despite an accounting impact from extraordinary one-off costs, the bank’s commercial momentum remains unmistakable, driven notably by fee income and resilient net interest margins.

Capital Position And Extraordinary Items

Quarterly results were weighed down by a lower-than-expected capital ratio and a €47 million expense linked to a voluntary exit program affecting around 350 employees. As a result, net profit totaled €182 million, falling 9% below market consensus. At the same time, the restructuring initiative is expected to generate annual savings of approximately €15 million.

Operating Metrics And Investor Insights

Analysts highlighted the strength of Alpha Bank’s underlying operations after adjusting for extraordinary items. Adjusted net profit reached €221 million, exceeding market expectations by 2%. Fee income increased 29% year-on-year to €140 million, supported by higher revenue from business lending fees, insurance services, investment banking and wealth management activities. Performing exposures and assets under management also reached record levels during the quarter, reinforcing the bank’s efforts to diversify revenue streams beyond interest income.

Market Valuation And Sector Commentary

Market commentary following the results remained broadly positive despite pressure on some balance-sheet metrics. JPMorgan described the quarter as showing underlying strength, while Deutsche Bank and Jefferies maintained buy recommendations with target prices reaching €4.85. At the same time, analysts continued to monitor pressure on net interest margins and dilution in common equity tier 1 ratios as banks adapt to changing market conditions.

Strategic Outlook

Alpha Bank is expected to provide additional details on its medium-term strategy during its investor day scheduled for the second half of 2026. Key areas of focus are expected to include the sustainability of fee income growth, capital trajectory management and shareholder returns. The bank has also maintained its earnings per share target of €0.40 for 2026, representing projected year-on-year growth of 11%.

First-quarter results highlighted Alpha Bank’s ability to maintain operational momentum despite pressure from one-off costs and capital-related challenges. Growth in fee-based activities and continued expansion in assets under management also reflected the bank’s broader effort to strengthen revenue diversification across its business segments.

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