Breadcrumb Trail Links Personal Finance Taxes Kim Moody: A corporation in Estonia pays zero corporate tax unless and until profits are distributed to its shareholdersPublished Jul 30, 2024 • Last updated 9 hours ago • 4 minute read Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland speaks at … Read more
Moody’s Ratings has placed all Hellenic Bank ratings and assessments on review for upgrade, with the exception of the Prime-2 short-term Counterparty Risk Ratings (CRRs) and Prime-2(cr) short-term Counterparty Risk (CR) Assessment which have been affirmed. “This announcement reflects our strong financial performance and strategic development,” the bank said in a brief statement. Last month, … Read more
Hellenic Bank’s takeover of CNP Assurances’ regional operations will allow it to dominate the local insurance market, giving it a 30% share of the life insurance market and a 23% share of the general insurance sector.
– Moody’s has given a positive assessment on Hellenic Bank’s move to acquire CNP Insurance in Cyprus and Greece.
– The acquisition will position Hellenic Bank Group as the leader in the Cypriot insurance market.
– The acquisition price of €182 million is expected to be recovered through retained earnings.
– The agreement is likely to include the 330 CNP employees.
– The potential acquisition will strengthen Hellenic Bank’s activities in the life insurance and general insurance sectors.
– The transaction will enhance the diversification and sustainability of Hellenic’s profitability.
– The combination of insurance activities will result in synergies and create opportunities for product distribution.
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– Risks associated with loans for Cypriot banks are expected to decrease due to economic growth, declining inflation, and unemployment rates.
– Moody’s predicts a decline in bank profits from recent highs.
– A gradual decrease in net interest margins is anticipated due to rising deposit costs and falling interest rates, influenced by competition and high levels of private sector debt.
– Stricter loan criteria and loan restructuring efforts are improving loan quality and reducing problematic loans.
– Asset quality risks from foreclosed properties are diminishing, supported by a strong real estate market.
– The banking sector in Cyprus is characterized by a low loan-to-deposit ratio and ample liquidity reserves.
– Cyprus’ GDP is forecasted to grow by 2.8% in 2024 and 3.2% in 2025-27, outpacing the euro area by 0.8% in 2024.
– Economic growth is supported by diversification in the services sector and significant foreign direct investment projects.
– Moderate growth in the loan portfolio is expected due to the banking system’s saturation, high private sector debt, and elevated interest rates.
– Monetary policy is expected to remain restrictive, even with interest rate reductions by the European Central Bank.
– The NPE ratio is expected to decrease below 3% this year.
– The proportion of foreclosed assets relative to bank equity is decreasing, supported by the real estate market.
– Capital risks are declining, with banks completing risk release and balance sheet restructuring.
– The Common Equity Tier 1 ratio for assessed banks increased to 18.8% at the end of 2023.
– Moody’s assessment focuses on Cyprus’ two largest domestic banks, Bank of Cyprus and Hellenic Bank, which represent a significant portion of the banking system’s assets.
– The weighted average Baseline Credit Assessment of the two major banks is ba2, with a weighted average asset-based deposit rating of Baa3.