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Strengthening Europe’s AML Defenses: AMLA Chair Bruna Szego Visits Cyprus

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 31, 2025

Enhancing Cross-Border Collaboration

Bruna Szego, Chair of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), embarked on a strategic visit to Cyprus as part of a broader tour across European Union member states. Hosted at the Central Bank of Cyprus headquarters, the trip underscored AMLA’s commitment to consolidating efforts against money laundering through closer coordination with National Competent Authorities (NCAs).

High-Level Engagements and Strategic Discussions

During her visit, Szego engaged in a series of high-level meetings, including a private discussion with Kleanthi Ioannidis, Cyprus’ permanent joint representative on AMLA’s General Council. She also met with senior officials from the CBC, including Executive Board Member George Karatzias and Pani Karamanou, Head of the Directorate for Financial Stability and Resolution.

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Two roundtable discussions followed, drawing representatives from a diverse spectrum of NCAs across both financial and non-financial sectors, as well as key industry associations. These sessions provided a forum for candid discourse on the inherent challenges and new opportunities emerging from AMLA’s innovative approach to anti-money laundering protocols.

AMLA’s Strategic Vision

Throughout the discussions, Szego articulated AMLA’s short-term priorities and long-term vision, emphasizing the importance of harmonizing supervisory practices across member states. The dialogue also delved into current challenges, particularly the need for a unified framework in supervising financial entities with significant cross-border activities. This coordinated approach is critical as AMLA prepares to assume direct oversight over 40 financial obliged entities by January 2028.

Future Outlook

The strategic meetings in Cyprus serve as a pivotal step in fostering a unified European front against money laundering and terrorist financing. As AMLA continues to cement its regulatory framework—officially established following legislative approval in May 2024 and operational since July 2025—the collaborative efforts with national authorities, as demonstrated in Cyprus, are set to drive remarkable advancements in the financial sector’s integrity and resilience.

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Bank of Cyprus Upgrade Signals Fresh Optimism For Greek And Cypriot Banks

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 26, 2026

Regional Banks Enter A More Favorable Cycle

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank are well positioned to benefit from a renewed re-rating of Greek and Cypriot bank stocks, according to Cyprus-based investment firm Roemer Capital, which upgraded Bank of Cyprus to a buy rating and reaffirmed its positive view on Eurobank.

The firm cited easing geopolitical tensions, resilient economic growth in Greece and Cyprus, lower funding costs and Greece’s expected transition to developed-market status as the main factors supporting the sector.

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Roemer Capital also lowered its cost of equity assumptions, updated its forecasts following first-quarter 2026 results and extended its valuation horizon to the end of 2027, raising target prices across its banking coverage.

Bank Of Cyprus Gets The Largest Upgrade

Bank of Cyprus received the biggest revision, with Roemer Capital upgrading the stock from hold to buy and setting a target price of €11.10, implying potential total upside of 27%.

The firm highlighted the bank’s strong capital generation, profitability and projected 100% dividend payout, describing it as the strongest capital-return story among the banks under coverage. Roemer Capital maintained its buy rating on Eurobank, assigning a target price of €4.90 and forecasting potential upside of 28%. The report said the bank is well placed to benefit from loan growth, improving operating performance and merger-and-acquisition synergies.

National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank also retained buy ratings, with expected returns ranging from 25% to 36%. Optima Bank was upgraded to buy, while Alpha Bank remained at hold on valuation grounds.

Why Growth Still Sets The Region Apart

According to Roemer Capital, Greek and Cypriot banks continue to benefit from stronger economic fundamentals than many western European peers. The report pointed to faster economic growth, healthier balance sheets, low levels of non-performing exposures, capital ratios approaching 20% and strong customer deposit bases.

Analysts expect performing loans across the sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2028, supported by private investment, digitalisation, green manufacturing, supply-chain expansion and a gradual recovery in household lending.

The report also said the conclusion of lending under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility is unlikely to materially affect credit growth, as banks have already shifted back towards traditional commercial lending. Roemer Capital expects Euribor to remain between 2.2% and 2.5%, a level it believes should support both lending activity and net interest margins.

Geopolitics, Valuation And Market Structure Support The Case

The report said improving geopolitical conditions have strengthened the investment outlook, noting that Brent crude prices have largely returned to pre-war levels while Greek government bond yields have stabilised at around 3.5%. Although geopolitical risks remain, Roemer Capital believes the likelihood of a major inflationary shock or significant pressure on bank profitability has eased.

Another important catalyst identified by the firm is Greece’s expected promotion to developed-market status by FTSE Russell, STOXX and MSCI over the coming months.

According to the report, the reclassification should improve liquidity and attract a broader base of international investors. Roemer Capital also said Euronext’s acquisition of the Athens Exchange is expected to strengthen market infrastructure and increase international visibility, particularly for Bank of Cyprus and Optima Bank.

The firm noted that Bank of Cyprus has already benefited from its Athens listing, with average daily trading value increasing from less than €400,000 before its September 2024 move to nearly €6 million afterwards.

Economic Momentum Remains A Core Tailwind

Roemer Capital said both Greece and Cyprus have moved beyond post-crisis recovery and are now supported by private-sector-led growth. For Cyprus, the report highlighted recent tax reform and efforts to simplify the legal and regulatory framework, while also noting that limited foreign banking competition continues to support domestic lenders.

Overall, Roemer Capital expects Greek and Cypriot banks to remain well-positioned for profitable loan growth over the coming years.