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Cypriot Banking Sector’s NPL Ratio Remains Steady Amid Strengthening Coverage

The Cypriot banking sector maintained a non-performing loans (NPL) ratio of 5.9 percent in May, mirroring the level reported in April 2025, according to the Central Bank of Cyprus. This stability underscores a cautious but resilient performance amidst evolving market conditions.

Stable Npl Ratio Highlights Consistency

The persistently steady NPL ratio signals that while banks face ongoing pressures, they are effectively managing risk levels. Maintaining a 5.9 percent ratio suggests that despite potential economic headwinds, the sector’s credit management protocols continue to perform reliably.

Rising Coverage Ratios Point To Strengthened Reserves

Another encouraging sign comes from the increasing coverage ratio of NPLs by impairment provisions, which climbed from 60.7 percent in April to 61.0 percent at the end of May 2025. This increment in coverage ratios fortifies the banks’ balance sheets, ensuring they have a more robust buffer against potential loan defaults.

Restructured Loans And Their Impact

By the end of May, total restructured loans reached €1.3 billion, of which €0.7 billion remain classified as non-performing. This segment of the portfolio remains a focal point for both regulators and bank management, as it continues to pose challenges amidst efforts to recalibrate and stabilize credit extensions.

In summary, the consistent NPL ratio combined with improved impairment provisions reflects an industry that is not only navigating current challenges but also strategically reinforcing its financial safeguards. As the sector adapts to market dynamics, these indicators will remain crucial for gauging overall financial health and guiding future policy adjustments.

Cyprus Tourism Shows Strength As Clean Monday Hotel Bookings Surge

Hotels Embrace A Bright Outlook

Recent figures point to growing momentum in hotel reservations ahead of the Clean Monday weekend, signaling renewed confidence in Cyprus’ tourism sector. Christos Angelides, Director of PASYXE, emphasized the positive trend while also underscoring the need to gradually extend the tourism season beyond traditional peak months.

Favorable Conditions And Festive Spirit

Angelides noted that bookings recorded during the past weekend reached encouraging levels, a development attributed to multiple converging factors. The return of sunny weather after prolonged rainfall, coupled with the festive aura of carnival events and children’s parades in cities such as Nicosia, Limassol, and Paphos, has motivated many to opt for short getaways. This seasonal momentum is further boosted by the strategic initiatives of local hotels, many of which are curating special menus for Clean Monday events, offering guests an enhanced stay experience by keeping them on-premise.

Positioning For The Off-Season

Despite the positive indicators, Angelides cautioned that average occupancy rates of 25%–30% highlight the need for continued innovation rather than complacency. He described the current period as part of a longer process of building winter tourism and pointed to opportunities in conferences, corporate events and niche travel segments as potential drivers of year-round demand.

Expanding Air Connectivity and Collective Ecosystem

Industry expectations are further supported by expanded air connections from established markets such as the United Kingdom and Israel, alongside increased routes from Armenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia and Poland. While recovery in the German market remains gradual, broader improvements in connectivity continue to strengthen overall tourism prospects. Angelides added that sustainable year-round tourism depends on a wider ecosystem that extends beyond accommodation to include restaurants, museums, cultural venues and community events.

The Path Forward

Cyprus continues to benefit from strong competitive advantages in climate, accessibility and hospitality infrastructure. With coordinated planning across tourism stakeholders and consistent investment in diversified offerings, the sector is positioned to contribute more steadily to the national economy and support a more balanced, all-season travel model.

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