Amid one of its strongest performance periods to date, Cyprus Bank is initiating a strategic deployment of surplus capital in the first quarter of 2026. With a keen focus on serving the business community, the bank intends to offer corporate loans—mirroring the same streamlined process used for personal accounts—thereby advancing its digital banking infrastructure.

Digital Innovations Fuel Customer Engagement

Looking ahead to the first quarter of 2026, Cyprus Bank is set to launch an advanced chatbot solution. This digital tool will enable customers to resolve inquiries regarding bank services quickly and efficiently, underscoring the institution’s commitment to leveraging technology as a competitive differentiator.

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Record Loan Growth Reflects Market Confidence

The bank reported record levels of new lending during the nine-month period ending September 30, 2025, with total loans reaching €2.23 billion—a 31% year-over-year increase. This growth spanned multiple business sectors, driven by international operations and corporate financing, with €635 million allocated in the third quarter alone.

Specifically, new loans disbursed in the third quarter of 2025 were distributed as follows: €249 million in large corporate lending, €207 million in retail banking (including €136 million in mortgage loans), €51 million to small and medium-sized enterprises, and €128 million in international operations.

Strategic Capital Deployment And Future Targets

CEO Panicos Nikolaou emphasized that acquisitions will be driven by strategic value rather than mere optics. Any acquisition proposal will undergo rigorous evaluation by the board, ensuring that competitive pressures, particularly those stemming from technological advancements, remain paramount.

Furthermore, the bank is resolutely pursuing an aggressive loan growth strategy in both local and international markets. With external financing already at €1.2 billion and an annual target of €1.5 billion, the bank projects a lending growth rate exceeding 4% in 2026. Concurrently, non-performing loans have declined to 1.2%, with coverage ratios improving to 124%, thereby maintaining a low risk-cost basis of 35 basis points and supporting robust net interest income.

Revised Performance Targets And Shareholder Returns

In light of a strong third quarter—delivering a return on equity of 18.5% and net profits of €118 million—Cyprus Bank has raised its annual expectations. The bank now anticipates net interest income to approach €720 million this year, an upward revision from earlier forecasts of just under €700 million. Additionally, organic capital generation is expected to exceed 300 basis points, with a sustained increase in the ROTE ratio, transitioning from the mid-teens to the high teens.

Looking forward, the bank also expects an improved cost-to-income ratio and a reduction in risk-cost estimates below 40% and 40 basis points, respectively. Underpinned by these robust financial metrics, the group is targeting a payout ratio of 70% on its 2025 profits, aligning with its upper-range distribution policy of 50-70% and ensuring enhanced value creation for its shareholders.