5 2018 • Issue 47
THE WORLD OF ALPHA BANK O T T
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ro distinctions by the ro ean ank for econstr ction and evelo ment . 5 or orate onds iss ed for large reek siness ro s . 7 The ank artici ated in the ay onference orting ntre rene rshi – inancing Tools by the ro ean nvestment ank ro . 8 nformative vent for stomers of the ndivid als and ersonal anking ivision in Athens . 10 nformative vent for stomers of the rivate anking ivision in atra . 11 nformative vent for stomers in hodos . 12 O erations ivision stomer O timi ation rogram O orksho . 13 man eso rces ivision e eneration . 14 5 2018 • Ιssue 47 man eso rces ivision om letion of the st Al ha lt re o rse ycle . 15 man eso rces ivision Together at the enaki se m at the red oissonnas in gy t e hibition . 15 man eso rces ivision Together at Ancient essene . 16 man eso rces ivision ol nteer lood onation ays . 16 Training ivision ey training rogrammes in A ril . 17
T The Al ha ank mismatic ollection s d cational rogramme omos omi o omisma travels to halki . 19 omos omi o omisma Assessment eeting with Teachers in hodos . 21 The Al ha ank mismatic ollection artici ated in the day conference hort term lanning ed cational activities as art of tem orary e hibitions . 22 hen coins met banknotes d cational Activity at the anknote se m of the onian ank in orf . 23 Editor: CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION The Al ha ank lt ral entre in af lio artici ated in the ight of se ms . 25 40, Stadiou Str. . 26 102 52 ATHENS, GREECE . . . . econd cientific onference conomic ibraries o rces of nformation and Training el. , The blication The a lion of the oreign Travellers will be sold by Al ha ank at a . 27 mail comm nication al ha.gr a disco nt of thro gho t ne comm nication al ha.gr The Al ha ank ibrary Angelos ikelianos . 28
esign rod ction O A. .
ontents O T T
O T A Al ha obile anking ew registration ossibility, witho t visiting a ranch . 30 Al ha nternational Trade. nternational trade from the office, thro gh the www.al hainternationaltrade.gr ortal . 31 Al ha ave mart . 32 The ank artici ated in the otel ervices and trategic artners event . 33 isa A orld com etition . 34 iners l b cards ow every visit to the s ermarket is rofitable . 35 rchases with Aegean on s isa offer rewards . 36 alogiro ry card American ress® – in e tra l ry oints . 37
O O AT O A O T 5 2018 • Ιssue 47 Al ha ank artici ated in the in Action onference . 38 Al ha ank s orts Olym ic old edalist Anna orakaki . 39 Al ha ank s orts aralym ic ham ion rigoris olychronidis . 40 The ank s orted the o ng esigners om etition . 41
T A A T T O osta o lentianos . 42 TO O O refect re of aconia leomenes . 45 O T A T O T A TO eonardos A. ercatis . 46
Editor: CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION 40, Stadiou Str. 102 52 ATHENS, GREECE el. , O O A a Al ha ank y r s td . 48 mail comm nication al ha.gr Al ha ank Albania A . 50 comm nication al ha.gr
esign rod ction O A. .
ontents IN FOCUS
Alpha Bank successfully concluded the 2018 Stress Test 2020 CET1 ratio of 9.7% in adverse scenario and 20.4% in the baseline scenario
• Alpha Bank successfully concluded the 2018 Stress Test conducted on the four systemic Greek Banks.
• The Stress Test was conducted based on a static balance sheet approach under a baseline and an adverse macro scenario with a 3 year forecasting horizon (2018-2020). The starting point was December 31st, 2017, re-stated to account for IFRS 9 impact.
• Impact was assessed in terms of CET1 ratio. No hurdle rate or capital thresholds were applied for this exercise.
• Under the baseline scenario, 2020 CET1 ratio reached 20.4%, following an aggregate impact of +212bps post , mainly driven by a strong re rovision ncome generation.
• Under the adverse scenario, 2020 CET1 ratio stood at 9.7%, down by 856bps, post IFRS 9, largely driven by the negative impact of Credit Risk resulting from the stressed macro environment and methodological constraints.
• Based on feedback received by the Single Supervisory Mechanism, the Stress Test outcome, along with other factors, have been assessed by its Supervisory Board, pointing to no capital shortfall. Therefore, no capital plan was required, as a result of the exercise.
< 3 / 50 > IN FOCUS
Stress Test Results 31.12.2017 31.12.2020 31.12.2020
Starting Point Baseline Adverse
CET1 (in Euro million) 8,987 10,380 4,745 RWAs (in Euro million) 49,240 50,949 48,982 CET1 (%) 18.3% 20.4% 9.7%
Alpha Bank’s CEO, Demetrios P. Mantzounis stated: “Alpha Bank’s outstanding performance in the stress test demonstrates the strength of our capital base and highlights our capacity to deliver on our strategic objectives. Alpha Bank’s sector-leading capital position allows us to remain fully focused on delivering our NPE business plan and support the momentum of the Greek economic recovery, by providing financing and helping businesses to grow.”
< 4 / 50 > THE Α A BANK
Group distinctions by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Left to right: Dr Ziad Fariz, Governor of the Central Bank Left to right: Dr Ziad Fariz, Georgia Farmaki and of Jordan, Ekaterini Marmara, Georgia Farmaki, Mr. Nick Tesseyman. Athanassios Pavlidis and Mr. Nick Tesseyman, Managing Director, FI, EBRD.
he Bank, due to its intense activity in the development of International Trade operations in 2017, was distinguished T and awarded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as the “Most Active Issuing Bank in 2017 in Greece”. Alpha Bank Romania received a similar distinction by the international organisation, as the “Most Active Issuing Bank in 2017 in Romania”. These distinctions are related to EBRD’s Trade Facilitation Progamme, which supports and eases the acceptance of the trade finance banking products the Group provides and the subsequent satisfaction
< 5 / 50 > HTHE ΤΡΑΠΕΖA BANK
of the needs of business Customers active in International Trade, with lucrative alternative and innovative solutions. It also enhances the Group’s long-term relationships with these Customers, ensuring their income from commissions and attracting work from the competition.
The Bank, due to the programme’s high and swift rate of utilisation, has entered within a period of 12 months into two consecutive supplemental agreements with the EBRD with the purpose of increasing the allocated limit. Today, the limit allocated to ALPHA BANK is Euro 100 million.
The awards were given to the following Bank Executives: the Manager of the Trading Division Ekaterini Marmara, who is also in charge of Bank Relations, the Manager of the Financial Products Division Athanassios Pavlidis, who is also in charge of developing Trade operations and the Manager of the Wholesale Banking Lending Division Georgia Farmaki, also in charge of relations with international organisations as well as negotiating and signing such agreements with them and implementing individual agreements with Customers.
The awards ceremony was part of the EBRD ANNUAL MEETING AND BUSINESS FORUM which took place in Jordan, on May, 9 and 10, 2018.
< 6 / 50 > THE Α A BANK
Corporate Bonds issued for large Greek Business Groups
uring the first months of 2018, Alpha Bank successfully completed two new corporate bond issues through public D offering at the Athens Stock Exchange, for GEK TERNA and Coral S.A. The Bank, with its dominant presence, its expertise, the coordination and the presentations to individual and institutional investors and with the active part it took in both issues, had a significant impact on the amounts offered, contributing to these amounts far exceeding the amount requested per issue.
Specifically, the Bank was Joint Coordinator and Bookrunner at the 7-year public corporate bond issue for GEK TERNA, of a nominal value of Euro 120 million, while, apart from acting as Joint Coordinator and Bookrunner, the Bank was also Advisor at the 5-year issue for Coral S.A., of a nominal value of Euro 90 million.
All bond issues were widely accepted by investors, with the amount offered per transaction significantly exceeding the maximum expected issue amount announced by the issuers and significantly contributing to the development of this new market.
< 7 / 50 > T Α A A
The Bank participated in the Day Conference “Supporting Entrepreneurship – Financing Tools by the European Investment Bank Group”
Artemis erogianni from the holesale anking ending ivision. eft to right the Assistant anager of the holesale anking ending ivision George Stathopoulos, the Manager of the same Division Georgia Farmaki, rs. irini otonaki from the nvestment Team for reece of the ro ean nvestment ank, Artemis erogianni and the Assistant anager of the holesale anking ending ivision Athina onto o lo .
lpha Bank participated in the conference “Supporting Entrepreneurship – Financing Tools by the EIB Group”, which the A European Investment Bank, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Development, the Federation of Industries of orthern reece and the reek nternational siness Association, s ccessf lly held in Thessaloniki, on ay , .
THE Α A BANK
The aim of the Day Conference was to inform businesses about the presence and the activities of the European Investment Bank in Greece and to present all of the EIB financing tools and activities available on the Greek market. During the Conference, experts, bankers and fund managers provided useful advice on what makes a business plan interesting in terms of funding.
Keynote speakers at the Conference included the President of the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece, the President of the Greek International Business Association and representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Development. Representatives of the European Investment Bank and the Greek banks presented the alternative choices that businesses have regarding their funding through the European Investment Bank.
During the Conference, the Bank presented the main features of the funding programmes available to Customers with the support of the European Investment Bank, as well as related benefits. It should be noted that with these programmes, which are fully and immediately absorbed by the Customers, the Bank raised liquidity of more than Euro 1 billion between 2009 and 2017, which has successfully been channeled in the Greek market.
< 9 / 50 > THE Α A BANK
Ioannis Emiris.
Panagiotis Remoundos. Evangelia Chatzidaki.
Informative Event for Customers of the Individuals and Personal Banking Division in Athens
n Tuesday, April 24, 2018, an informative event for Customers of the Individuals and Personal Banking Division took O place, at the Hilton Athens hotel. The Executive General Manager Private and Investment Banking Ioannis M. Emiris gave a short speech, which was followed by a presentation by the Manager of the Investment Portfolios Management Division Panagiotis Remoundos, titled “International Markets 2018: Striking a balance in the new reality”.
The event ended with a speech by the Manager of the Individuals and Personal Banking Division Evangelia Chatzidaki.
< 10 / 50 > THE Α A BANK
Informative Event for Customers of the Private Banking Division in Patra
Ioannis Emiris. Emmanouil Arzinos.
n Monday, May 14, 2018, an informative event for Customers of the Private Banking Division took place in Patra. O The Executive General Manager Private and Investment Banking Ioannis M. Emiris gave a short speech, which was followed by a presentation titled “Investment Strategy: Striking a balance in the new investment reality”, given by the Assistant Manager of the Investment Portfolios Management Division Charalampos Patriarcheas and Maria Koutouzi from the same Division. The event ended with a speech by the Manager of the Private Banking Division Emmanouil Arzinos.
< 11 / 50 > THE Α A BANK
Informative Event for Customers in Rhodos
George C. Aronis. Constantinos R. Dorkofikis. oannis . miris. Panagiotis Ch. Remoundos.
n Monday, May 7, 2018, an informative event for the Bank’s Customers took place in Rhodos. The Deputy CEO, Retail, O Wholesale Banking and International Network George C. Aronis, the Executive General Manager Wholesale Banking Constantinos R. Dorkofikis and the Executive General Manager Private and Investment Banking Ioannis M. Emiris addressed the audience with a short speech, while the Manager of the Investment Portfolios Management Division Panagiotis Remoundos gave a short presentation on matters related to the International Markets. The Managers of local Branches as well as Bank Executives from Athens were also present on behalf of the Bank.
< 12 / 50 > THE Α A BANK
Operations Division Customer Optimization Program (COP) Workshop
s part of the “Customer Optimization Program”, for the design and implementation of a uniform Α strategy in issues related to quality Customer service at Group level, the Operations Division, in collaboration with the International Activities Division, held, on April 19, 2018, for the second consecutive year, a video conference workshop with the Group Companies abroad, titled “Facing new challenges: Are you ready to be exponential?”.
At the workshop, each Company presented the developments under its jurisdiction, while the new European Guidelines were pointed out and how these will affect Group strategy in terms of Customer service. The workshop concluded with a plan of action, aiming at the update of the existing Group Complaints Management Policy and at enriching complaint analysis at Group level.
< 13 / 50 > THE Α A BANK
Human Resources Division
he Bank’s Human Resources Division participated once again in the ReGeneration programme, as part of the efforts T to reinforce its corporate identity as an employer of choice and attract competent, young executives. ReGeneration was launched by the Global Shapers Athens Hub to support young and talented graduates up to thirty (30) years old, upon the initiative of the World Economic Forum. Its aim is to help reduce youth unemployment as well as “brain drain”, namely young talented graduates fleeing abroad in search of employment.
The Bank had also participated in this programme in the past, in 2015, offering two (2) persons placements in IT and Credit Risk, for a six (6)-month period.
This year, representatives from the Human Resources Division voluntarily participated in the preliminary candidate selection procedure, which was based on structured interviews. The interviewees who took part in the selection process had previously succeeded in a series of skills and personality tests. ReGeneration offers candidates who succeed in the interviews educational seminars on basic professional skills and calls on them to perform community service at selected non-profit organisations (NGOs), through the Athens Hub community.
Overall, the ReGeneration programme is an important initiative that supports competent young executives in taking their first professional steps and directly connects them to the job market.
< 14 / 50 > THE Α A BANK
Human Resources Division Completion of the 1st “Alpha Culture” Course Cycle
n Wednesday, April 25, 2018, the 1st Cycle of the new series of internal courses titled: “Alpha Culture: Course Cycles”, O carried out by the Human Resources Division in collaboration with the Art Collection, the Numismatic Collection and the Bank’s Historical Archives, was successfully completed. The 1st Course Cycle featured three thematic units:
• The Curator of the Bank’s Art Collection Irene Orati presented the “Timeline of Contemporary Greek Art from 1830 until today”.
• The Curator of the Bank’s Numismatic Collection Dimitra Tsangari presented the “Introduction to the History of Greek Coinage”.
• The Advisor to the Bank’s Management at the Historical Archives Kostas Kostis presented the “Four Moments in the History of the Greek State”.
Overall, 95 Employees attended the courses, which started in January 2018 and received a Certificate of Participation once the Course Cycle ended...... Together … at the Benaki Museum at the “Fred Boissonnas in Egypt” exhibition
n Thursday, May 10, 2018, a guided tour of the exhibition “Fred O Boissonas in Egypt”, at the Benaki Museum, was conducted for the Bank’s Personnel by Mrs. Aliki Tsirgialou, of the Benaki Museum’s photographic archives.
The Employees who attended the guided tour had the opportunity to get acquainted with the distinguished Swiss photographer’s work in Egypt in 1929 and 1933 as well as browse through a digital version of the original and rare book “L’ Egypte”, which is based on the photographer’s first trip to Egypt.
< 15 / 50 > THE Α A BANK
Human Resources Division Together … at Ancient Messene
n Saturday, May 12, 2018, Professor Petros Themelis, Director of excavations for the restoration of ancient Messene, O conducted a special guided tour of ancient Messene’s archaeological site, for the Bank’s Employees and their families.
Participants had the opportunity to tour one of the most important archaeological sites and get to know the structure of the ancient city of Messene...... Volunteer Blood Donation Days
n Thursday, May 10, 2018, the Volunteer Blood Donation Days, which took place in Athens and Thessaloniki, with the O participation of 236 Volunteer Blood Donors, were successfully completed. It was a great pleasure to welcome 33 new Volunteers, a fact that gave us hope and faith that with these Volunteer Blood Donation Days we will be able to help even more fellow human beings.
It should be noted that Volunteer Blood Donors are entitled to free blood tests once a year, at the Evangelismos Hospital in Athens and the Ippokrateio Hospital in Thessaloniki, upon arrangement with each hospital’s blood donation centres. We thank all those who, once more, responded to the call of the Human Resources Division and participated in the Volunteer Blood Donation Days.
Together we give hope!
< 16 / 50 > THE Α A BANK
Training Division Key training programmes in April 2018
In April, a total of 34 training programmes took place, with the participation of 1,477 persons.
Specifically:
Technical Banking Programmes • Know your Customer • Corporate Acts Implementation • Tellers Transactions (advanced) • Supervision of Branch operations • Managers and Wealthy Customers • Transition to Business Operations • New Cash Transactions Officers (CTO) • International Trade - Letters of Credit
Management Programmes • Leadership • BRO Sales (advanced) • Customer Service for Individuals
Retraining – Bancassurance Recertification For the Bank Executives and Employees who were either not able to participate or failed in the first exam (Comprehension Test) on the Section A’ – Products e-learning courses, the exam was repeated on April 25, 26 and 27, 2018. Overall, 122 persons participated and 120 were successful. It should be noted that attending the e-learning courses and succeeding in the exams on three sections (A’: Products, B’: Legislation, C’: Sales) that have been set by the Bank of Greece, is necessary in order for existing Certifications to remain valid.
< 17 / 50 > THE Α A BANK
New e-learning courses on Digital Society As we live in a constantly changing environment and developments are rapid, especially regarding computers, smartphones, tablets and the internet, the Training Division has designed specialised courses, which explain the use of the aforementioned in a comprehensive way, so as to familiarise Employees as well as protect them from potential malicious activities.
Hence, a series of 10, overall, courses, will be gradually developed, which anyone interested can attend, depending on their level of knowledge.
The courses can be found on the e-front platform, specifically in the section “Information Safety – Personal Data – Digital World”. They are the following:
1. Introduction to the Digital world - This is a digital world 2. Introduction to the Digital world - Internet 3. Introduction to the Digital world - Online safety and Privacy 4. Introduction to the Digital world - Social networking 5. Introduction to the Digital world - Communication 6. Introduction to the Digital world - Work 7. Introduction to the Digital world - Daily Activities 8. Introduction to the Digital world - Creativity . ntrod ction to the igital world ntertainment 10. Introduction to the Digital world - What does the future hold?
It should be noted that the six first courses are already available.
< 18 / 50 > THE BANK • CULTURE
The Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection’s Educational Programme “Nomos-Nomizo-Nomisma” travels to Chalki
ollowing a suggestion by the Directorates of Primary and Secondary Education of the Dodecanese, the specially F designed suitcase of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection’s educational programme “Nomos-Nomizo-Nomisma” travelled to the small island of Chalki, where it remained until June 8, 2018.
Dr Dimitra Tsangari and Matina Dimopoulou, from the Bank’s Numismatic Collection, delivered the suitcase to the School of Chalki. Initially, a short presentation of the Programme, for Primary School students, took place, as the teachers then carried out the Programme themselves. The young students put together a large jigsaw puzzle featuring the map of the ancient world, they became acquainted with landmark moments in ancient history and Greek mythology and produced their own coin out of play dough.
< 19 / 50 > THE BANK • CULTURE
A talk titled “The fascinating history of coins”, addressed to the Chalki Gymnasium and Lyceum students, followed, where the evolution of the medium of transaction in Greece was presented, from its first appearance up to the arrival of the Euro. Students were particularly interested in the coins issued by the modern Greek State and discussed history topics related to the subjects taught at school.
During the visit to the School of Chalki, all students received rich supervisory material, which was also given to the Library along with all of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection’s large editions.
Mrs. Pothiti Loi and Mrs. Evangelia Moula, who are in charge of School Activities at the Directorates of Primary and Secondary Education of the Dodecanese respectively, attended the Programme and the Numismatic Collection’s presentation in Chalki.
There are 24 children at the Chalki Primary School and another 15 students at the Gymnasium and Lyceum.
< 20 / 50 > THE BANK • CULTURE
“Nomos-Nomizo-Nomisma”: Assessment Meeting with Teachers in Rhodos
n Monday, May 7, 2018, an assessment meeting with teachers from schools in Rhodos, who held the Numismatic O Collection’s educational programme “Nomos-Nomizo-Nomisma”, took place. The Programme ran in Rhodos from November 2017 through April 2018, with the participation of 489 students from 11 schools.
Following the approval of the Directorates of Primary and Secondary Education of the Dodecanese, two Special Schools and a Kindergarten also received the Programme’s specially designed suitcase. The teachers presented the ways that they used the Programme’s material, the adjustments and the activities they carried out, depending on the students’ level, as well as the children’s works. The presentation given by educator Mrs. Anastasia Zezou, from the 2nd Kindergarten of Kremasti, was of particular interest, since she showed all of the children’s activities digitally, providing rich material for discussion and a platform to exchange views in order to further develop the specific Programme.
< 21 / 50 > THE BANK • CULTURE
The Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection participated in the day conference “Short-term (?) planning: educational activities as part of temporary exhibitions”
n Friday, May 4, 2018, the Greek part of ICOM (International Council of Museums) specifically the Working Group for Education O and Cultural Activities in Museums – CECA (Committee for Education and Cultural Action), held the day conference titled “Short-term (?) planning: educational activities as part of temporary exhibitions”, where the Bank’s Numismatic Collection also participated.
The aim of the Conference was for the members of the museum community in Greece to exchange views about the mentality, the role and the content of educational activities that are held as part of temporary exhibitions.
The Numismatic Collection’s Curator Dr Dimitra Tsangari presented all of the Collection’s educational activities and their development over the years. Participants were informed about the principles behind the activities, the various collaborations and the impact that temporary educational activities have on the educational community and society itself.
Representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Sports as well as 26 Greek Museums and Cultural Organisations took part in the Conference.
< 22 / 50 > THE BANK • CULTURE
“When coins met banknotes” Educational Activity at the Banknote Museum of the Ionian Bank in Corfu
n the occasion of International Museum Day, the Banknote Museum of the Ionian Bank in Corfu held, from Wednesday, O May 16 through Sunday, May 20, 2018, the educational activity titled: “When coins met banknotes”.
The study of coin iconography is an important source of information, already in antiquity, as that information is directly linked to the history of the issuing authority. During the history of the modern Greek State, banknotes followed the same principles and it is noteworthy that, during particular periods of time, their iconography included the depiction of one or more ancient coins, in a prominent place.
< 23 / 50 > THE BANK • CULTURE
The educational activity “When coins met banknotes” was designed to get children familiar with the medium of transaction, from antiquity to this day and teach them the iconography of coins. By means of discussion and group games, children sharpened their observation skills, they sought out important banknotes among the Museum exhibits, they discovered the ancient coins hidden in these banknotes and became acquainted with gods, legends and leaders of the ancient world.
Overall, 133 students participated in the Educational Activity, along with 11 escorts from four Primary Schools as well as the 13th Air Scout Group of Corfu.
< 24 / 50 > THE BANK • CULTURE
The Alpha Bank Cultural Centre in Nafplio participated in the “Night of Museums 2018”
or the ninth consecutive year, the Alpha Bank Cultural Centre in Nafplio participated in the “Night of Museums”, a universal F event established by ICOM (the International Council of Museums), where most Museums in the world remain open during one night in May, every year.
Specifically, on Saturday, May 19, 2018, from 21.00 to 24.00, the Bank’s Cultural Centre in Nafplio, which is hosting the exhibition “Theophilos the Painter”, remained open until midnight, with free admission.
During the Night of Museums events, approximately 450 persons visited the Bank’s Cultural Centre.
< 25 / 50 > THE BANK • CULTURE
H.E.LI.N. Second Scientific Conference “Economic Libraries: Sources of Information and Training”
he Hellenic Economic Library Network (H.E.LI.N.) held its second scientific T conference, titled “Economic Libraries: Sources of Information and Training”, on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, 09.00-16.00, at Harokopio University’s “Georgios Karabatzos” Amphitheatre, at 70 El. Venizelou st. (Administration Building), in Kallithea.
The aim of the Conference was to show how libraries, by using the new technologies, resources, and infrastructure available to them, are able to plan, develop and provide quality information services, with an emphasis on economics, banking, ind stry and b siness. he conference was designed to show how libraries organise and provide information literacy educational and training programmes in a modern learning environment, as well as how these programmes can be linked to economic literacy programmes.
The Conference was addressed to scientists, researchers, librarians and information scientists, educators, university students and technical school students, as well as to anyone interested in using the resources of the economic libraries. Speakers included esteemed economists, university professors, librarians as well as executives from banks and other institutions. The Assistant Manager of the Bank’s Economic Research Division and Economist Elias Mavrikos participated as a speaker on behalf of Alpha Bank.
< 26 / 50 > THE BANK • CULTURE
The publication “The Nauplion of the Foreign Travellers” will be sold by Alpha Bank at a discount of 40% throughout June 2018 A lpha Bank offers the publication “The Nauplion of the Foreign Travellers” at a discount of 40% throughout June 2018.
Aphrodite Kouria Athens 2007 Emporiki Bank of Greece Dimensions 26.5 x 28.5 cm 216 pages, 164 illustrations Bilingual edition (Greek, English) ISBN 978-960-7059-18-5
Price: Euro 21.00
In this Publication, the reader is invited to a journey in time in the town of Nauplion and its surrounding area through the writings and illustrations of the travellers. Nauplion has been a popular destination from the 16th century onwards, thanks to its natural beauty and history. A rich series of prints but also a large number of original paintings of the town have survived. The art historian Aphrodite Kouria presents various aspects of the iconography and history of the town through the rich iconographic material illustrated in the book, which consists of a series of prints, watercolours and oil paintings that belong to private collections as well as to Greek and German museums.
The Publication may be obtained either by visiting the “ALPHA BANK – CULTURE store” (40, Stadiou Street, ATHENS) and the e-shop www.alpha.gr/alphapolitismos or by placing an order via telephone or e-mail (tel.: +30 210 326 2465, e-mail: [email protected]).
For any further clarification or information please contact the Alpha Bank Library at +30 210 326 2440 and 210 326 2446.
< 27 / 50 > THE BANK • CULTURE
The Alpha Bank Library Angelos Sikelianos
ngelos Sikelianos, a distinguished Greek poet, the son of Ioannis Sikelianos and Charikleia Stefanitsi, was born in March A 1884 in Lefkada, where he spent his childhood. He moved to Athens in 1901 and enrolled at the Law School, but he never completed his studies as he soon devoted himself exclusively to literary creation. He married American choreographer Eva Palmer in 1907 and two years later their son Glafkos was born. During the Balkan Wars, he was drafted into the army and fought at the Epirus front. In 1939 he received the National Literary Award for all of his work. Following his separation from Eva Palmer, he got married once again in 1940, to Anna Karamani, who was subsequently known as Anna Sikelianou. He was chairman of the Greek Writers’ Society between 1943 and 1945 and he was nominated more than once for the Nobel Prize in Literature. He passed away in Athens on June 19, 1951, at the age of 67.
< 28 / 50 > THE BANK • CULTURE
The work of Angelos Sikelianos is defined by intense lyricism and a particular richness in terms of language. He published his first poems in the literary magazines “Dionysos” and “Panathenaia” in 1902, while in 1909, the publication of his poetry collection “Alafroiskiotos” (Moonstruck), an ode to Greek nature written in crude, original verse, during a visit to Egypt, was considered a landmark in modern Greek literature and hailed as a major event in the publishing world. Between 1915 and 1920, he published the four volumes of his poetry collection “Prologos sti zoi” (Prologue to life) and the distinctive poems “To Pascha ton Ellinon” (The Greek Easter) and “Mitir Theou” (Mother of God). Over the next few years, he drew inspiration for his work from the ancient Greek world, mythology and mysticism, history and religion. Together with his first wife Eva Palmer they tried to revive the “Delphic Idea” by creating a universal spiritual centre in Delphi. It was to that end that Sikelianos gave many lectures, published studies and articles and held the “Delphic Festivals”, that featured performances of ancient drama, sports competitions and exhibitions. During World War II, his poetry turned to social issues and he produced his distinctive works “Sibylla”, “The Death of Digenis” and “Asclepius”. In 1943, his recitation of the legendary poem “Ichiste I salpigges” at the funeral of poet Kostis Palamas was considered a landmark event. During the German Occupation, he wrote and secretly published in Cairo his work “Akritika” (Akritan songs), with Byzantine writing and woodcuts by Spyros Vassiliou. Sikelianos published his own work in three volumes (1946-1947), under the title “Lyrikos Vios” (Lyric Life), omitting, nonetheless, some of the works he did not find necessary to include. After the poet’s death, in 1965, the publication of his complete body of works (“Apanda”) got under way, edited by G.P. Savvides, in six volumes overall, the sixth volume containing all the poems that had been left out of “Lyrikos Vios”.
The Collection of the Bank’s Library includes a large number of works by Angelos Sikelianos, such as poems, prose, letters and more.
Please click here, in order to view the titles.
< 29 / 50 > PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Alpha Mobile Banking New registration possibility, without visiting a Branch
t the end of April, an advertising campaign promoting the new possibility of registering with A Alpha e-Banking directly, from a mobile phone, without Customers needing to visit a Bank Branch, was launched on television.
The televised spot stresses that Alpha Bank is a modern bank, which can respond quickly and with innovative solutions to the needs of its Customers, including saving them valuable time. For this reason, Alpha Bank is the first bank to provide the possibility of registering with the Alpha e-Banking services through the Alpha Mobile Banking application, where Customers only need to fill in their Alpha Bank card information, their mobile phone number and their e-mail address.
Hence, the Bank fulfills its promise to provide an upgraded banking experience to its Customers, by constantly offering new features and services that are compatible with the latest international standards.
In order to view the TV spot, press here.
< 30 / 50 > PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Alpha International Trade. International trade from the office, through the www.alphainternationaltrade.gr portal
lpha Bank, responding to the needs of businesses active in import and export International Trade, launched an A advertising campaign on Print Media and online in May, to promote the renewed digital platform “Alpha International Trade”. It is a portal that provides contemporary digital tools and personalised information services, while at the same time it enables businesses active in import and export International Trade to manage their transactions.
The advertising campaign presents the many solutions that the renewed International Trade platform provides, for businesses that seek growth, exposure and the promotion of their products in the international markets, just by logging on to www.alphainternationaltrade.gr.
< 31 / 50 > PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
roviding contemporary and competitive products to its Customers, the Bank created a new and innovative savings P account, “Alpha Save Smart”. The account is addressed to Individual Customers regarding their primary savings account with the Bank and is available from the Branch Network and Alpha Web Banking.
Specifically:
• It provides a preferential interest rate from Euro 1, provided that charges are limited to one per semester
• It rewards balance increase with additional interest return of up to 100% at the end of every semester
• It offers flexibility when opening and managing the account through Alpha Web Banking
• It protects savings efforts through restrictions in transactions that reduce the account balance such as purchases, bill payments and more.
< 32 / 50 > PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
The Bank participated in the “Hotel Services and Strategic Partners” event
Georgios Agritelis Left to right: Georgios Tsagkarakis from the Small Business Banking Division, Georgios Agritelis, Chryssa Dellaporta and Antonios Papadopoulos from the same Division.
lpha Bank was a Grand Sponsor of the Event organised by the Athens – Attica and Argosaronic Hotel Association, titled A “Hotel Services and Strategic Partners”, which took place at the Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre hotel on April 19, 2018.
During the event, the Assistant Manager of the Small Business Banking Division Georgios Agritelis gave a speech on “Alpha Tourism Entrepreneurship: Prospects, Challenges, Strategy”.
Specifically, he presented the prospects and the dynamic of the tourism industry, highlighting the emphasis the Bank places on opportunities related to tourism entrepreneurship, by providing a wide range of contemporary products and services that fully meet the needs of businesses active in tourism in Greece.
The Bank had also set up a stand at the Exhibition area, where Bank Executives informed participants and visitors about the solutions available, mostly through the “Alpha Tourism Entrepreneurship” product and the funding possibilities of development programmes as well as the “Alpha Bank Gold Business Banking” Service, reinforcing and further upgrading its collaboration with professionals of the tourism industry.
< 33 / 50 > PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Visa 2018 FIFA World Cup competition
lpha Bank once more supports the promotional activities that are part of Visa’s sponsorship of the 2018 FIFA World A Cup. Specifically, all Alpha Bank Visa cardholders who use their card to carry out purchases until June 15, 2018, take part in a draw to win unique presents:
· Prepaid Visa cards worth Euro 3,000, Euro 1,000 and Euro 100 · FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia™ by Visa collectors’ items
For the first time, participation in the draw has been modernised and can be registered just by taking a photograph of the Visa payment slip and posting it on the Visa Messenger Bot of Visa Greece’s Facebook page.
Cardholders were informed about the offer on www.alpha.gr/cards.
< 34 / 50 > PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Diners Club cards: Now every visit to the supermarket is profitable!
iners Club cardholders who used their card to make purchases at any supermarket from 16.4.2018 through D 31.5.2018, earned 3% on the value of their purchases in Shop&Win euros.
With any purchase, they are still winning:
· up to 6% on the value of purchases carried out at Programme partner stores · 1% on the value of purchases carried out at any business in Greece and abroad.
Cardholders were informed about the offer through radio spots, monthly bills, newsletters and SMS messages as well as on the websites www.alpha.gr/cards and www.dinersclub.gr.
< 35 / 50 > PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Purchases with Aegean Bonus Visa offer rewards!
egean Bonus Visa cardholders, who carried out purchases worth Euro 500, won a discount of Euro 20 on their next A flight*, while Customers who issue an Aegean Bonus Visa card from 24.4.2018 until 30.6.2018, win a discount of Euro 20 on their next flight**.
Cardholders were informed about the offer through newsletters and SMS messages as well as on www.alpha.gr/cards.
*It applies to purchases carried out from 1.5 through 31.5.2018 and AEGEAN flights that will take place until 31.7.2018.
**It applies to AEGEAN flights that will take place until 31.12.2018.
< 36 / 50 > PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Kalogirou Luxury card American Express® – Win 50% extra luxury points
alogirou Luxury card American Express cardholders, who used their card to carry out purchases at Kalogirou, K Tod’s, Hogan and Salvatore Ferragamo stores as well as the www.kalogirou.com online store, from 27.4.2018 through 15.5.2018, won 50% extra luxury points for every transaction!
Cardholders were informed about the offer through SMS messages and on www.alpha.gr/cards.
< 37 / 50 > CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Alpha Bank participated in the “CSR in Action V” Conference
n Friday, April 20, 2018, the “CSR in Action” conference was held for the fifth consecutive year, under the auspices O of the Institute of Communication and the Hellenic Advertisers Association.
The Head of the Corporate Social Responsibility section of the Marketing and Public Relations Division Sylvia Kourkouli represented the Bank, which was one of the Conference sponsors.
Organised by Marketing Week, the Conference gathers valuable knowledge about Corporate Social Responsibility, through actual examples. All businesses participating in the Conference had the opportunity to present their CSR activities and explain the strategy and concept behind these activities.
The valuable legacy of all four previous conferences has been the presentation and the experiences of more than 140 businesses, concerning their CSR activities.
< 38 / 50 > CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Alpha Bank supports Olympic Gold Medalist Anna Korakaki
lpha Bank supports Olympic Gold Medalist Anna Korakaki, actively A contributing to the Greek Shooting Champion’s efforts for new, important distinctions in European and international competitions.
Anna Korakaki is the first Greek athlete to win two medals at the same Olympics. During her first ever Olympic Games participation, at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, she won the gold medal in the women’s 25m air pistol category and the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol category.
Anna Korakaki has represented Greece in more than 12 international competitions, winning important distinctions at European and international level.
On March 11, 2018, the Greek Champion won the gold medal in the women’s 25m pistol category, at the ISSF World Cup in Mexico.
Korakaki’s next challenge was her participation in the ISSF World Cup, held in the United States in May 2018. She set a world record in the women’s 10m air pistol category, where she also won the gold medal and also won the bronze medal in the women’s 25m pistol category and another bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team category.
< 39 / 50 > CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Alpha Bank supports Paralympic Champion Grigoris Polychronidis
he Bank has been supporting, since 2006, the efforts of Paralympic Champion Grigoris Polychronidis, who participates T in various sports competitions competing in Boccia.
With the support of Alpha Bank, the athlete continues his efforts, so that he can participate in the Boccia World Open that will take place in Dubai, from December 15 through December 22, 2018. This competition is officially organised by the Boccia International Sports Federation and adds important points in the world ranking of participants, which, in turn, will determine the top athletes who will qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
It should be noted that in 2017, the athlete won the bronze medal at the Kansas World Open, the bronze medal at the Euro Boccia in Portugal and the gold medal at the Greek National Championship for the 16th consecutive time.
< 40 / 50 > CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Bank supported the “Young Designers Competition”
he Bank supported the visual artworks competition organised by GR DESIGN magazine. The competition was T addressed to young designers aged 18 to 30, who wish to show their work and have their talent recognised. Winners were awarded on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at the amphitheatre of the National Museum of Contemporary Art (former FIX factory).
The Curator of the Alpha Bank Art Collection Irene Orati presented the award for best poster as well as the Gold award, along with the director of GR DESIGN magazine Panos Konstantopoulos. The Head of the Corporate Social Responsibility section of the Marketing and Public Relations Division Sylvia Kourkouli was present at the award ceremony, on behalf of the Bank.
< 41 / 50 > CULTURE SPECIAL • ART NETWORK
Costa Coulentianos Relief, 1989 Bolted wood 310 x 153 x 9 cm.
Eden Mare Branch (155)
he Alpha Bank Art Collection mostly includes paintings and prints. Although modern Greek sculpture only constitutes T the smallest part of the Collection, it includes representative works of the most distinguished modern Greek sculptors.
Costa Coulentianos is one of these sculptors. He emerged at a time that sculpture had reached its limits – as defined by classical forms, shaped by tradition and reformed by modernism – something that played a defining role in shaping his personal style, along with the fact that he spent most of his career in France.
< 42 / 50 > CULTURE SPECIAL • ART NETWORK
Costa Coulentianos Relief, 1989 Bolted wood 310 x 153 x 9 cm.
In the works that Coulentianos produced between 1947 and 1952, female figures prevail, with curves and movement featuring prominently. From 1952 onwards, he mostly used iron and turned towards more abstract forms, while from the 1960s onwards he incorporated architectural elements in his work. Overall, he was very concerned with public spaces.
Costa Coulentianos’ work Relief, which consists of a uniform surface, featuring bolted pieces of wood in curved forms, is on display at the Bank’s Eden Mare Branch. The artist’s main aim was to process his material in a way that would remove its crude weight and add mobility. He was also interested in the interaction between the sculpture and its surroundings as well as the way that light is diffused and its subsequent reflection on the sculpture’s surface.
< 43 / 50 > CULTURE SPECIAL • ART NETWORK
COSTA COULENTIANOS CURRICULUM VITAE (Athens 1918 - Arles 1995) e studied sculpture at the Athens School of Fine Arts, under Th. Thomopoulos, K. Dimitriadis and M. Tombros (1936-1939). In 1945, after receiving a scholarship from the French government, he moved to Paris where he lived until the end of his life. Following a short stint at the École des Beaux-Arts, he attended the Académie de la Grande Chaumière and studied at the studio of O. Zadkine. After meeting well-known sculptor H. Laurens, he abandoned academic sculpture and adopted abstract forms of expression. As years went by, his style acquired a more evolved form of abstraction, while the use of new materials, such as painted iron and steel, became an inextricable part of his work.
< 44 / 50 > CULTURE SPECIAL • HISTORY OF COINS
Frame at the Sparti Branch (520) Prefecture of Laconia Cleomenes III
leomenes III, the most important personality of the 3rd century BC, became king of Sparta in 235 BC. He reformed the Spartan C regime, carried out a land reform, organised the army and restored ancient mores in public life. When the Achaean League, led by Aratos, joined forces with the Macedonians and turned against Cleomenes, the latter sought the support of Ptolemy III Euergetes (Benefactor), sending in exchange his mother Cratesicleia and his children to Egypt as hostages. But shortly after, at the battle of Sellasia in 221 BC, Spartans suffered a great defeat, with only 200 soldiers out of the overall 10,000 surviving. Cleomenes fled to Egypt, trying once again to ensure the king’s support. But he was unlucky, because Ptolemy III passed away and his successor, Ptolemy IV, placed him in isolation in a palace. Following an unsuccessful coup, Cleomenes committed suicide, in 219 BC. After his death, his mother and his children, who were already in Egypt as hostages, were executed. Cleomenes’ life was also a source of inspiration for esteemed poet Constantine Cavafy, who dedicated two poems to the king, namely “In Sparta” and “Come, O King of the Lakedaimonians”. During his reign and in order to cover the needs of the Cleomenean War, Cleomenes issued the rare, today, silver tetradrachms, which feature his portrait on the obverse and goddess Artemis Orthia along with her symbol, the stag, on the reverse. The goddess is flanked, on each side, by the initials Λ – Α (LAKEDAIMONION - of the Lakedaimonians). The tetradrachm that is part of the Bank’s Collection is one of the 10 that are known to exist in the world today and the only one in Greece.
< 45 / 50 > CULTURE SPECIAL • PORTRAITS FROM THE BANK’S HISTORY
Leonardos A. Mercatis (1838-1901)
Bust of Leonardos Mercatis, 1902 Work by Georgios Vroutos (1843-1909) Marble 71.5 x 54.5 x 35 cm. Alpha Bank Art Collection
Manager of the Ionian Bank’s Athens Branch from 1895 and General Manager of the Bank’s Branches in Greece from 1898 until his death.
Leonardos Mercatis was born in Zakynthos, in 1838. His family came from Florence and moved to Zakynthos in the mid-16th century. Leonardos was the second child of Anastassios L. Mercatis (1798-1880), who was a Member of the Ionian Parliament and a Senator of the United States of the Ionian Islands (Stati Uniti delle Isole Ionie). His mother was Cecilia I. Drexinger. After completing his school studies in Zakynthos, he was immediately hired, in 1855, at the Ionian Bank, as an Employee at the Kerkyra Branch. In 1867, he married Aikaterini A. Palaiologou-Benizelou (1848-1919) and they went on to have seven children, namely six girls -out of which four died at a young age- and one boy, Alexandros (1874-1947).
< 46 / 50 > CULTURE SPECIAL • PORTRAITS FROM THE BANK’S HISTORY
Later, Mercatis was appointed Accountant at what was then the Ionian Bank’s Athens Agency and in 1865 he was promoted to Manager. In early 1870, his responsibilities were significantly extended, as the headquarters of the Main Branch were transferred from Kerkyra to Athens but also because the Bank’s Management decided to establish a local Council in Athens, which he became part of. In 1889, he took the initiative and submitted a set of proposals to the Bank’s Court of Directors in London, concerning the way that he believed Branch operations in Greece should be restructured. All of his proposals were accepted, so he was put in charge of implementing a broader restructuring strategy for the Bank, which took place in early 1892.
Drawing of Leonardos Mercatis produced by the Press at the time
In August 1895, he was appointed General Manager of the Ionian Bank’s Branches in Greece, while he traveled frequently to the Bank’s main offices in London. He played a leading role in the negotiations between the Ionian Bank and the Greek government regarding the agreement on the issuing privilege renewal, at the end of the 1890s. In early 1901, Mercatis became seriously ill and as his health continued to deteriorate, he requested that his resignation be accepted. He passed away on October 12, 1901. Because of his contribution over the years, the Bank held his funeral with full honours. In 2010, his great-granddaughter, Eleni Drakopoulou-Mercati, decided to donate to Alpha Bank Leonardos’ bust, which for years had been in the courtyard of the Aghios Ioannis of Benizeli church, inside the Mercati estate. The bust was placed at the ground floor of the Ionian Bank’s Main Building, at Pesmazoglou street.
< 47 / 50 > GROUP COMPANIES
Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd was the Main Sponsor of the 8th Nicosia Economic Congress
he Bank was, once again, the Main Sponsor of the Nicosia Economic Congress, which took place in Nicosia. Held for the T 8th consecutive year, the Congress has by now established itself as one of the most important financial conferences and features the participation of the main representatives of Cyprus’ economic and political scene.
This year’s Congress featured speakers from Cyprus and abroad, who presented their predictions regarding the course and prospects of Cypriot economy for 2018-2020. There were extensive discussions on different issues, including the country’s international investment and business profile, the course of privatisations and the developments in the financial sector.
Speakers included the Minister of Finance Mr. Harris Georgiades and the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Mrs. Vasiliki Anastasiadou. Bank Executives, Customers and Partners attended the Congress......
Alpha Mobile Banking
n advertising campaign promoting the new, innovative electronic banking service A Alpha Mobile Banking, was launched in April. The new application for smartphones and tablets offers Customers a modern customer experience regarding transactions, with a safe and easy-to-use environment. It is the only mobile banking application in Cyprus to feature a quick login process through fingerprint authentication or the use of a PIN.
The advertising campaign ran on television, on the radio and online.
< 48 / 50 > GROUP COMPANIES
Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd Credit Cards Promotional Activity
n advertising campaign, concerning the new Alpha Bank Credit Cards promotional A activity, started in April. Specifically, from April 1 through June 30, 2018, Aegean Visa, Alpha Bank Visa Gold, Alpha Bank Visa Silver and Alpha Bank CASHBACK MasterCard cardholders, who use any of these cards to make purchases, participate in draws where 8 lucky winners every month win one giftcard each, worth Euro 800. Giftcards can be used for travel services at the Top Kinisis travel agency.
The advertising campaign has been launched on television, on the radio and online.
......
Alpha Family Care
romotion of the new bancassurance product “Alpha Family Care” was P launched in April. The product is available by Alpha Bank Cyprus in collaboration with Altius Insurance and provides hospital and medical coverage in case of accident as well as coverage of the annual diagnostic tests, for only Euro 13 per month.
< 49 / 50 > GROUP COMPANIES
Alpha Bank Albania SHA Alpha Bank Albania SHA supported the European Money Quiz competition
lpha Bank Albania SHA supported the Albanian counterpart of the A European Money Quiz competition, which took place in April 2018, upon the initiative of the Albanian Association of Banks and the Bank of Albania.
The competition was addressed to students aged 13 to 15 from schools all across Albania and featured questions related to financial education, security issues when making online transactions and more. The winning team represented Albania in the European competition finals that took place in Brussels, in May...... The Bank supported the “Leader for a day” initiative
he Bank supported, for the third consecutive year, the “Leader for a day” initiative, organised by Junior Achievement T of Albania. High school students who qualify - based on their academic performance - to take part in the initiative, are in charge of a bank’s duties for one working day and are responsible for carrying out all daily activities, under the supervision of a Management Executive.
This year, under the supervision of the Alpha Bank Albania SHA Manager of the Deposit and Investment Products Division Jerina Llukmani, a student learnt about the Bank’s products, the collaboration between Bank units, work ethic and more.
< 50 / 50 >