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Eurobank Among First Greek Companies To Receive New Diversity Seal

Eurobank has emerged as one of the first 41 companies in Greece to receive the newly introduced Diversity Seal, a state-backed distinction designed to recognise employers that put equality, diversity and inclusion into practice.

State Recognition For Inclusion In Action

The award was presented under an initiative launched by Greece’s Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family to recognise private-sector organisations that have embedded equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion into their business operations.

Presented on June 18, 2026, at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens, the initiative aims to give formal recognition to companies that integrate inclusive practices into their workplace culture. Eurobank was represented at the ceremony by Group Chief Human Resources Officer Natassa Paschali.

A Structured Framework For Accountability

The Diversity Seal is the first organised state initiative in Greece designed to assess and recognise companies for implementing equal-opportunity policies and preventing workplace discrimination.

Assessments are based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria, examining not only company policies but also how inclusion is reflected in workplace culture, hiring practices and workforce composition.

The initiative forms part of a broader effort to establish a structured framework for evaluating and recognising diversity and inclusion practices across the private sector.

Eurobank Frames Inclusion As A Business Priority

Eurobank said the distinction reflects its long-standing commitment to creating a modern and inclusive working environment. According to the bank, respect, collaboration and equal opportunities are central to its corporate culture, while employees play an important role in fostering a workplace where diversity supports creativity, development and progress.

The bank also said its diversity, equality and inclusion policy is aligned with its core values and is intended to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to develop without discrimination.

That commitment applies regardless of personal characteristics, age, gender, family status, physical or mobility-related challenges, sexual orientation, social and economic background, or other characteristics and beliefs.

Why The Award Matters Now

The recognition comes at a time when environmental, social and governance considerations, including diversity and inclusion policies, are drawing greater attention from regulators, investors and businesses across Europe.

In that environment, workplace inclusion is increasingly viewed as more than a human resources initiative. It is becoming part of the broader governance and reputation agenda, with implications for resilience, culture and stakeholder trust.

Government And Corporate Leaders Emphasise Practice Over Promises

Commenting on the award, Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Domna Michailidou congratulated Eurobank and said diversity and inclusion should be reflected in everyday business operations rather than remain at the level of policy commitments. She noted that the Diversity Seal is awarded only after a formal evaluation process confirming that companies apply inclusion policies in practice.

“In a sector that is directly linked to trust, access and service for citizens, equality and inclusion cannot remain at the level of declarations,” Michailidou said. “They must be reflected in the way a bank organises its daily operations, supports its people, provides equal opportunities for advancement and creates a working environment free from exclusion.”

Paschali described the distinction as recognition of Eurobank’s long-term commitment to building an inclusive workplace and credited the bank’s employees with shaping its culture.

“Receiving the Diversity Seal is an important recognition of our commitment to creating a modern and deeply human working environment,” she said. “This distinction belongs to the people of Eurobank, who every day help shape a culture of respect, collaboration and inclusion.”

She also thanked the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family for the initiative, adding that Eurobank would continue investing in actions that strengthen equal participation, development and opportunities for everyone.

Part Of Greece’s Wider Recovery Agenda

The Diversity Seal is being implemented by the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family through the “Awareness of Diversity” initiative under Greece’s “Greece 2.0” National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

The programme is funded through the European Union’s NextGenerationEU initiative, which supports reforms and investments aimed at strengthening social cohesion, economic resilience and sustainable development across member states.

Cyprus Government Surplus Rises To €1.61 Billion In First Nine Months Of 2026

Cyprus recorded a general government surplus of €1.61 billion in the first nine months of 2026, equal to 4.0% of gross domestic product, as revenue growth outpaced the rise in public spending. Higher receipts from income taxes, social contributions and value-added tax (VAT) drove the improvement, while lower capital expenditure helped restrain spending.

Preliminary figures released Tuesday by the Statistical Service of Cyprus show the surplus rose to €1.17 billion, or 3.0% of GDP, up from € 442.1 million in the same period of 2025.

Total government revenue increased 6.5% to €12.09 billion, while expenditure rose 2.9% to €10.48 billion.

Key Fiscal MeasureJanuary–September 2025January–September 2026
Total revenue€11,353.9 million€12,091.8 million
Total expenditure€10,186.2 million€10,482.1 million
Government surplus€1,167.6 million€1,609.7 million
Surplus as a share of GDP3.0%4.0%

Income Taxes And VAT Lead Revenue Growth

Taxes on income and wealth made the largest contribution to the increase in revenue. Receipts in this category climbed by €442.2 million, or 15.3%, to €3.34 billion, compared with €2.89 billion a year earlier.

Social contributions rose by €235 million, or 6.6%, to €3.78 billion. Taxes on production and imports increased by €251.5 million, or 7.2%, reaching €3.77 billion.

Net VAT receipts, after refunds, totalled €2.64 billion, up €293.1 million, or 12.5%, from €2.35 billion in the first nine months of 2025.

Some Revenue Streams Decline

Not all revenue categories moved higher. Capital transfers fell by €74.6 million to €96.7 million, while current transfers declined by €71.6 million, or 20.5%, to €278.2 million.

Revenue from services slipped 1.0% to €743.5 million. Interest and dividend receipts dropped by €37 million, or 28.6%, to €92.4 million.

Social Benefits And Personnel Costs Increase

On the expenditure side, social benefits rose by €199.6 million, or 4.9%, to €4.27 billion. Compensation of employees—which includes imputed social contributions and public-sector pensions—increased by €108.3 million, or 3.8%, to €2.99 billion.

Intermediate consumption, covering goods and services used in the delivery of public services, rose by €114.3 million, or 11.0%, to €1.16 billion. Interest payments increased by €8.7 million, or 2.6%, to €340.7 million. Current transfers were up €68.7 million, or 10.6%, at €714.7 million.

Lower Capital Spending Limits Expenditure Growth

The overall increase in spending was tempered by a decline in capital expenditure. Capital-account spending fell by €189.9 million, or 16.9%, to €936.2 million from €1.13 billion in the same period last year.

Investment in fixed capital declined by €94.1 million, or 12.1%, to €686.4 million. Other capital transfers fell by €95.8 million, or 27.7%, to €249.8 million. Subsidies also decreased, dropping by €13.9 million, or 15.5%, to €75.8 million.

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