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Cyprus Bank Evaluates Expansion Into Greek Market With Representative Office

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 9, 2025

Assessing A New Strategic Initiative

Cyprus Bank is actively evaluating the establishment of a representative office in Greece, signaling its ongoing commitment to international expansion. While no final decision has been reached, this potential move is part of a broader strategy to bolster the bank’s outward focus, aligning with its long-term business objectives.

Calculated Timelines And Market Reentry

Senior executives have indicated that any steps toward establishing a permanent presence in Athens will be postponed until after this year, with formal implementation expected by 2026. In the meantime, the bank continues to effectively serve its Greek clientele. This strategic consideration follows recent initiatives, such as the negotiated re-entry into the Athens stock market after an 11-year absence, underscoring the bank’s intent to reestablish significant engagement with Greece.

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Fostering International Corporate Lending

Central to this expansion is Cyprus Bank’s ambition to enhance its portfolio of international corporate loans. Notably, in 2024, the institution disbursed €400 million in loans to Greek enterprises, with the aim of increasing its total overseas lending portfolio to €1.5 billion. The robust performance observed in the first half of 2025, marked by a 31% year-on-year increase in new loans predominantly targeting international operations and large corporations, validates its growth strategy.

Future Growth And Sectoral Focus

CEO Panikos Nikolaou has articulated a clear vision: deepen the bank’s footprint in Greece by providing substantial financial support to major Greek enterprises and the dynamic maritime sector. This approach leverages its strong international business network to secure high-quality, risk-compatible investments, ensuring sustainable growth and reinforcing its competitive stance in the European market.

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FinTech’s Dominance In MENA: Three Strategic Drivers Behind Unyielding VC Success

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 11, 2025

Despite facing tightening global liquidity and macroeconomic headwinds, the FinTech sector continues to assert its leadership in the MENA region. In the first half of 2025, FinTech emerged as the most resilient and appealing arena for venture capital investments, proving its worth as a catalyst for financial innovation and inclusion.

Addressing Structural Financial Gaps

In many parts of MENA, a significant proportion of the population remains underbanked and underserved by traditional financial institutions. FinTech companies are uniquely positioned to address these persistent challenges by bridging critical access gaps and driving financial inclusion. With the proliferation of payment apps, digital wallets, and micro-lending platforms, investors have witnessed firsthand how these solutions pave the way for scalable growth and eventual exits. Early-stage momentum in the region is underscored by a doubling of pre-seed deals year-over-year, reinforcing the sector’s capacity for rapid innovation and sustainable expansion.

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Highly Scalable and Replicable Business Models

One of the key factors behind FinTech’s dominance is the inherent scalability of its business models. Once the necessary infrastructure and regulatory approvals are in place, these models have demonstrated robust performance across borders. The first half of 2025 saw a marked acceleration in deal activity, with payment solutions leading the charge with 28 deals in MENA—a significant increase over the previous year. Lending platforms, in particular, experienced a meteoric 500% year-over-year increase in funding, emerging as the fastest-growing subindustry. Such replicability makes FinTech an attractive proposition for investors seeking high-growth opportunities in diverse markets.

Supportive Regulatory And Government Backing

The strategic support offered by key government initiatives in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has been instrumental in propelling the FinTech sector forward. Progressive frameworks, such as the UAE’s open finance and digital asset directives, coupled with Saudi Arabia’s live-testing sandboxes, have materially lowered entry barriers for startups. These measures not only foster innovation but also streamline the path to commercialization. Consequently, the combined efforts of these regulatory bodies have enabled the UAE and Saudi Arabia to account for 86% of MENA’s total FinTech funding in H1 2025.

The resilience of FinTech in MENA is not merely a reflection of contemporary market trends—it signals a fundamental shift in the region’s economic fabric. With an unwavering commitment to addressing real financial challenges, scalable and replicable business practices, and robust regulatory support, FinTech is setting the benchmark for sustainable innovation. As capital markets become increasingly discerning, this sector stands out as a beacon of long-term growth and transformative impact.