Greek Finance Minister Christos Staikouras, hours after a closely watched meeting with representatives of systemic banks in the country, reiterated that lenders should offer relief to borrowers, in the wake of a spike in interest rates – fueled by the ECB’s rate hikes – and rising inflation.
According to a finance ministry press release after the meeting in Athens, the government is pressing banks to support vulnerable borrowers who are servicing their loan obligations, taking into account European supervisory rules and without any extra fiscal cost.
The government wants a proposal by banks on this issue within the next two weeks.
Staikouras and ministry officials also called on the four systemic banks to present proposals that will boost the approval rate for extra-judicial debt settlement applications submitted by borrowers with a good credit record. The government wants a proposal by the end of the year.
The conservative government is also pressing for higher interest rates on deposits, which have essentially remained frozen, while insisting that interest rates on loans be rationalized, given the major gap between the two at present.
Additionally, the Greek government called for a re-assessment of now ubiquitous fees charged by banks in the country, even for the simplest transactions.
A new meeting is scheduled in roughly two weeks, the ministry statement stated.
στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσειςLatest News
Athens Int’l Airport Wins Top Prize at Routes Europe Awards
The Routes business is focused entirely on aviation route development and the company's portfolio includes events, media and online businesses
IOBE: Income Gap Between Poor and Wealthy Greeks Widens
The findings in the analysis, entitled “Progressivity in Income Taxation in Greece, 2012-2021", paint a bleak picture for Greeks in the bottom half of the income bracket, warning that income inequality is growing
Study Finds 4 in 10 Greeks to Slash Easter Spending
This year, hit by persistent inflation, many Greeks will be dishing out less on food, drink and gifts for Orthodox Easter on May 5
ELSTAT: Overnight Stays in Greece Up in Feb.
The provisional monthly data revealed that arrivals at tourist accommodations amounted to 773,104 and overnight stays were 1,677,685
Electric Energy: Greece’s New Sustainable Export
Moreover, a surplus of generated electricity cannot be fully absorbed by domestic grids and this excess power finds eager buyers in the form of companies entering into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), willing to pay a premium for clean energy
IOBE Revises Greek GDP Growth Downward, to 2.1% For 2024
Annual inflation is expected to reach 3%, up from the previous forecast of 2.8%
Last Sections of 136km E65 Highway Inaugurated on Tues.
Athens to Karditsa drive time is expected to drop to two and a half hours (under normal conditions), and some three hours from Athens to Trikala
Reuters: Greece to Repay More Bailout Loans Ahead of Maturity in 2023
The country has relied solely on international markets for its borrowing needs since a third institutional bailout ended in 2018
Ag Min. Avgenakis: Greece-China Cooperation in Research, Education in Agri-Food Sector
Greek minister tours cutting-edge hydroponics and robotics facilities at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing
Mini Holiday Season in Greece for Upcoming Orthodox Easter
Occupancy rates reach up to 90% domestically for accommodations open ahead of peak summer season
