Cyprus Banks Enter New Growth Phase As Lending Picks Up

by News Editor

August 20, 2026

Major banks in Cyprus and Greece remained highly profitable in the first half of 2026, even as interest rates continued to decline. The four major Greek banks generated around €2.5 billion in combined profit, while including Bank of Cyprus brings the total to roughly €2.8 billion.

The results point to a changing environment for the sector. As interest rates become less supportive, stronger lending, fee income, international operations and improved efficiency are playing a bigger role in earnings.

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Strong Results Across The Sector

Eurobank reported €738 million in first-half net profit, rising to €776 million on an adjusted basis, with return on tangible equity at 16.6%. Its Cyprus operations contributed €231 million, although that was 7.7% below the previous year.

Bank of Cyprus posted €252 million in after-tax profit, up 7% year-on-year, while return on tangible equity reached 18.8%. Net interest income remained broadly stable at €369 million despite lower rates, supported by loan and deposit growth, lower funding costs and hedging.

The bank’s performing loan portfolio reached about €11.4 billion. It also announced an interim dividend of €0.24 per share, worth approximately €105 million.

Greek Banks Keep Lending

National Bank of Greece reported €661 million in profit, up 3%, with adjusted return on tangible equity at 15.5%. Strong lending and higher fee income supported upgrades to several 2026 targets.

Piraeus recorded a record €617 million in first-half profit, while its loan portfolio expanded by €1.8 billion.

Alpha Bank reported €497 million in profit, with normalised earnings of around €500 million. Fee income was a particularly strong contributor, while lending growth supported net interest income.

A Shift Beyond Interest Income

With rates moving lower, banks are increasingly relying on credit expansion and fee-generating businesses to maintain profitability. Business lending is becoming a key growth driver, while services such as investment products, cards and insurance are providing additional revenue.

Strong capital positions are also allowing banks to increase shareholder distributions. Bank of Cyprus plans to distribute 70% of its 2026 profit and has indicated there could be room for an additional payout. Its interim dividend is 20% higher than a year earlier.

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Cyprus’ Strong Youth Employment Rate Still Does Not Guarantee Early Independence

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 16, 2026

Young people in Cyprus have a relatively high employment rate, but they leave the parental home later than the EU average, according to Eurostat data.

Cypriots left home at an average age of 27 in 2025, compared with 26.3 years across the EU. At the same time, 72.3% of people aged 20 to 29 in Cyprus were employed, well above the EU average of 65.5%.

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Strong Employment Does Not Mean Early Independence

Only nine countries recorded higher youth employment rates than Cyprus. Iceland led at 85.3%, followed by the Netherlands at 84%, Malta at 82.1%, Switzerland at 78.3% and Germany at 77%.

Norway recorded 76.5%, Ireland 76.1%, Denmark 74.8% and Austria 74.6%. Eurostat said countries where young people leave home earlier generally tend to have higher youth employment rates.

Southern Europe Sees Later Moves

Finland had the lowest average age for leaving the parental home at 21.4 years, followed by Denmark at 21.8 and Estonia and Lithuania at 22.7. Croatia recorded the highest average at 31.5 years, followed by Greece and Slovakia at 30.9. Spain and Italy both stood at 30.2 years.

Across the EU, the average has remained close to 26 since 2002, rising only slightly from 26.2 years in 2024 to 26.3 years in 2025.

Cyprus Labour Market Is Cooling

The figures come as Cyprus’ labor market shows some signs of easing, although demand for workers remains relatively strong by European standards.

Separate Eurostat data showed Cyprus had the EU’s largest annual decline in its job vacancy rate in the second quarter of 2026. The rate fell to 2.6% from 3.3% a year earlier, but remained above the EU average of 2.0% and the euro area average of 2.1%.

Cost Of Living Remains A Factor

Housing and other living costs can also affect how quickly young workers establish independent households. Eurostat reported that Cyprus’ household consumption price level was 89.2% of the EU average in 2025.

A relatively lower overall price level does not eliminate affordability pressures for people on modest incomes. For younger workers, the issue can be whether wages are sufficient to cover rent, utilities, food and other basic expenses.

Cyprus therefore combines relatively high youth employment with a later transition to independent living, suggesting that access to work and the ability to afford a separate household do not always move together.

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