Breaking news

Hellenic Bank Makes Key Interest Rate Cut: What It Means For Borrowers

The Hellenic Bank has taken a significant step to ease the financial burden on borrowers by announcing a reduction in its reference interest rate. Effective from March 12, 2025, the rate sees a drop from 2.90% to 2.65%. This 0.25% cut aligns with fluctuations in the European Central Bank’s base rate.

Impact On Borrowers And Business

  • Interest Rate Adjustment: The treasury rate was reduced by 0.25%.
  • New Rate: Set at 2.65%.
  • Beneficiaries: Over 6,000 loan recipients are expected to benefit.

Coming on the heels of a recent 0.16% reduction, which affected the bank’s basic interest to reach 1.75%, this move aims to further relieve over 90,000 borrowers, spanning individuals to businesses, by reducing their borrowing costs.

Steady Fixed Rates For Home Loans & My Home Rewards

Attractive Mortgage Rates: The Bank offers fixed mortgage rates of:

  • 2.95% for the initial three years.
  • 3.10% for the first five years.

My Home Rewards Program enriches these offers through:

  • Cashback Offers: Up to €2,000 for furnishing and home equipment from partner merchants.
  • Enhanced Buyer Opportunities: Enabling customers to own homes under more favorable conditions.

This strategic rate adjustment by Hellenic Bank not only makes loan facilities more accessible but also strengthens the real estate market dynamics in Cyprus, aligning with trends observed in the global real estate arena.

Electric Vehicle Subsidies in Cyprus: Urgent Calls for Government Action

The Motor Vehicle Importers and Electric Vehicle Association (Semio) has urgently called upon the Transport Ministry for immediate action concerning the ongoing hurdles with electric vehicle (EV) subsidies in Cyprus.

Semio expresses its concern, warning that any further delays could exacerbate financial strain on its members and heighten consumer dissatisfaction. A formal meeting with the Transport Minister is on the agenda to clarify the government’s position on the subsidy program.

Uncertainties and Impacts

The sudden stop of the EV grant scheme has stirred worry among car importers and potential buyers, leaving stockpiles of electric vehicles in limbo. This unexpected pause in government-backed support has echoed across the industry, with numerous consumer complaints surfacing.

Amid these events, there’s also the broader backdrop of the Cyprus government’s decision to reallocate funds within the national Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), aiming to stay aligned with EU financing requirements.

A Call for Dialogue

Despite the ministry’s assurances of pursuing additional funding and maintaining alignment with national energy objectives, Semio criticizes the lack of communication and urges consultation before implementing changes.

On a related note, Cyprus faces challenges in achieving its ambitious EU-mandated goal of registering 80,000 electric vehicles by 2030. The road ahead appears daunting unless a cohesive strategy is adopted.

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