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Young Entrepreneur Donates Entire €100,000 Prize to Empower Future Leaders

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 14, 2025

A Pioneering Act of Generosity and Vision

George Chrysostomides, the 23-year-old founder of Shrine Solutions Ltd (shrine.io), has announced his intention to donate the full €100,000 cash prize awarded by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou. This groundbreaking decision, made after winning first place at the 2025 Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs, exemplifies a commitment to fostering growth among emerging talents and supporting families in need.

Championing Social Impact Through Entrepreneurship

Standing atop an impressive €200,000 prize pool—where the other winners received €60,000 and €40,000 respectively—Chrysostomides declared his belief that “success has value only when it is shared.” His decision to channel the esteemed award money into charitable initiatives and direct support for nascent businesses underscores a broader vision: entrepreneurship should drive societal advancement alongside personal progress.

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Inspiration Backed by Recognition and Legacy

Upon receiving the award, Chrysostomides expressed gratitude to Sir Stelios, whose longstanding advocacy for young entrepreneurs has served as a beacon for many in the Cypriot business community. He emphasized that his donation aims not only to provide critical financial support but also to inspire a culture where personal achievements catalyze wider social benefits.

Investing in the Future

Opting against reinvesting in his own business, Chrysostomides is channeling his winnings toward uplifting fellow innovators and providing a lifeline to those embarking on their entrepreneurial journeys. By doing so, he upholds the belief that empowering young talents is the most effective strategy for building a resilient and dynamic economic future.

An Enduring Legacy of Community Mindedness

Shrine Solutions Ltd continues to lead in merging technological innovation with modern digital commerce through its shrine.io platform. Similarly, initiatives like the Stelios Awards serve to not only recognize outstanding entrepreneurs but also to ignite community-oriented practices across the region.

This remarkable gesture by Chrysostomides illustrates that transformative leadership is measured not by personal gain, but by the ability to drive positive change for society at large.

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Mortgage And Business Loan Rate Dynamics Among Cyprus Banks

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 17, 2026

Stable Mortgage Loan Rates Post-Mergers

Recent consolidations in the Cyprus banking sector have led to a striking uniformity in mortgage loan interest rates. For example, data from November 2025 reveal that Bank of Cyprus, Eurobank Ltd, and Ancoria Bank are all offering an average rate of 2.98%. Alpha Bank even offers a marginally lower rate of 2.81% for home purchases, whereas smaller market players continue to provide loans at higher costs.

Differentiated Business Loan Offerings

In contrast, business loan interest rates demonstrate greater variability. For loans up to €1 million, Alpha Bank offers the most competitive rate at 3.31%, followed by the National Bank of Greece (Cyprus) at 3.78% (NBG Cyprus). Eurobank Ltd, Kyprian Bank of Development, and Bank of Cyprus post higher averages at 4.00%, 4.46%, and 4.47% respectively, while Societe Generale Bank Cyprus and Banque SBA register even steeper rates at 6.05% and 6.54%.

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For loans exceeding €1 million, the trend remains similar: Alpha Bank leads with 3.64%, trailed by National Bank of Greece (Cyprus) at 3.99% and Bank of Cyprus at 4.18%. Eurobank Ltd and Kyprian Bank of Development follow with rates of 4.54% and 4.30%, whereas Societe Generale Bank Cyprus stands out with an average rate of 6.23%.

Competitive Deposit Rates Reflect High Liquidity

Deposits in Cyprus are offered at some of the lowest interest rates in the Eurozone, a situation that reflects the exceptionally high liquidity across the local banking systems. With a Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) recorded at 319% in November 2025, well above the Eurozone median of 191%, major institutions such as Bank of Cyprus, Eurobank Ltd, and Alpha Bank feature household deposit averages of 0.67%, 1.11%, and 1.36% respectively.

Meanwhile, smaller banks including Ancoria Bank, National Bank of Greece (Cyprus), and Kyprian Bank of Development report higher deposit rates of 1.47%, 1.49%, and 1.25% respectively. For business term deposits (up to one year), Ancoria Bank offers the highest average rate at 1.51%, closely followed by Alpha Bank at 1.43%. Other institutions maintain averages between 1.12% and 1.42%, underscoring a competitive yet stratified market landscape.