4 2018 • Issue 46 THE WORLD OF ALPHA BANK CONTENTS IN FOCUS p. 3 ΤΗΕ ΒΑΝΚ The Bank participated in the 5th Digital Banking Forum p. 14 Evaluation survey on Alpha Web Banking p. 16 Procurement, Property and Security Division Annual Evaluation of the Equipment and Office Supplies Warehouse Department in accordance with the ISO 9001:2015 international Standard p. 17 “Greek Entrepreneurship: Prospects, Challenges, Strategy” series of Day Conferences p. 18 J.F. Costopoulos Foundation p. 20 Human Resources Division: New Application to update the Personnel’s personal data p. 21 Human Resources Division: Together … at the Museum of Cycladic Art p. 22 Human Resources Division: Together … at the National Museum of Contemporary Art p. 22 4 2018 • Ιssue 46 Human Resources Division: Together … at the National Theatre p. 22 Training Division: Key training programmes in March 2018 p. 23 CULTURE “MONEY. Tangible symbols in ancient Greece”: Lecture Cycle p. 27 End of the exhibition “MONEY. Tangible symbols in ancient Greece” p. 30 “Rare Books. The Alpha Bank Collection” p. 32 Educational Seminars by the Alpha Bank Art Collection p. 33 The Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection’s Educational Programme traveled to Switzerland p. 34 “Learning about the Library” p. 35 The publication “Greek Dress from Ancient Times to the Early 20th Century” will be sold by Alpha Bank at a discount of 40% throughout May 2018 p. 36 The Alpha Bank Library: M. Karagatsis p. 37 PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Editor: CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION Bonus Loyalty Programme: “Every Wednesday is Bonus Wednesday!” p. 39 40, Stadiou Str. p. 40 102 52 ATHENS, GREECE Alpha e-Commerce Τel.: +30 210 326 2413, + 30 210 326 2435 Energy Efficiency Programme II p. 41 Fax: + 30 210 326 2439 p. 42 E-mail: [email protected] Alpha Tourism Entrepreneurship [email protected] Alpha Agricultural Entrepreneurship: The “Agro-carta” is available once more p. 43 p. 44 Design - Production: GOD A.E. New Alpha Pinbysms service Unique offers at Shell gas stations! p. 45 Visa promotional activity – 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia p. 46 < Contents > CONTENTS CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Social Contribution activities by Alpha Bank p. 47 The Bank was a Gold Sponsor of the “Greek ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ 2017” competition p. 52 The Bank supported the activity “Protect your Child from Electronic Crime” p. 53 “Earth Hour” p. 54 The Bank sponsored the Environmental Education Programme “Nature without garbage” p. 55 Alpha Bank supports the Goulandris Natural History Museum’s educational work p. 56 The Bank supports the work of the Panhellenic Animal Welfare Federation p. 56 Alpha Bank supports the programme “Child Trauma Prevention” p. 57 Alpha Bank supports the work of the Hellenic Breast Imaging Society p. 57 Alpha Bank supports the work of the “Lara” Guide Dog School Hellas p. 58 The Bank supports the work of the Therapeutic Riding Association of Greece p. 58 p. 59 4 2018 • Ιssue 46 “Together, for better health” CULTURE SPECIAL ART NETWORK Pavlos (Dionyssopoulos) p. 60 HISTORY OF COINS Prefecture of Cyclades Tenos p. 63 PORTRAITS FROM THE BANK’S HISTORY Clearchos Th. Maneas p. 64 GROUP COMPANIES Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd p. 65 Alpha Bank Romania p. 66 Editor: CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION Alpha Bank Albania SHA p. 67 40, Stadiou Str. 102 52 ATHENS, GREECE Τel.: +30 210 326 2413, + 30 210 326 2435 Fax: + 30 210 326 2439 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Design - Production: GOD A.E. < Contents > IN FOCUS Alpha Bank Group Executives Conference n March 31, 2018, the annual Alpha Bank Group Executives Conference was successfully held at the Divani Apollon Palace hotel, with the participation of approximately 1,000 Group Executives. The Conference opened with an address by Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank, Vasileios T. Rapanos, who initially welcomed all those present at this year’s event. During the past few years, he said, all Greeks live in extraordinary circumstances, but it is true that especially those working in the banking sector are experiencing a time of significant change, both in Greece and in Europe. At last year’s event, he had expressed his optimism that 2017 could be the year when our economy would escape recession and embark on a period of recovery – albeit small – and that the banking system would bounce back. However, economic developments only partially lived up to his expectations. In 2017, economic activity demonstrated an important recovery, following 8 years of recession and there was significant improvement in the fiscal sector, with the primary surplus exceeding its target. However, where the banking sector is concerned, improvement was almost marginal. The delay in the implementation of the auction programme and out-of-court settlement procedures stalled the improvement of the banking indicators and the banking system’s return to a normal pace. It is true that, because of the high performance registered in the tourism industry in 2017, a slight improvement was noted in the banking sector, both regarding deposits and the reduction of NPLs. Yet a lot of time is still needed for banks to return to a state of relatively normal operation. Regaining trust in Greek economy and the banking system, he said, cannot be done easily, since, as we all know, trust is quickly lost and takes a lot of time to build. Our experience in Greece, but also from other countries, has taught us that regaining trust requires consistency, continuity and credibility < 3 / 67 > IN FOCUS in terms of policy and these are elements that need to be incorporated in our political system. Let us hope that after such a deep and prolonged recession, the political system and the citizens will realise that the great sacrifices carried out by the majority of the people and businesses will not be fruitless, if we continue the efforts to carry out the necessary reforms that will make the economy friendlier towards entrepreneurship and investments and more fair in terms of distributing burdens. It is a national need to provide the new generation with new opportunities and create a new framework that will reward creativity and hard work. In addition, state reforms and improvements in the operation of the public sector will particularly help those with low income, by improving the quality of state services such as health, education, social care and more. Regarding the Bank, Mr. Rapanos said, 2017 was not only a year of hard work – something that we are used to – but also a period of significant change in many sectors, aimed at rationalising service operation as well as reducing the major problem of NPLs. This is the greatest challenge for 2018 and for the years to come. It is the great bet that we have to win, if we want Alpha Bank to play a leading role in the next few years. At the same time though, we must not forget the other aspect of banking, namely providing banking services. The new products, the new services and putting to use new technologies are among our priorities, in order to not only maintain our share in the market but also improve it. Times are difficult, competition is intense and the future cannot wait. We have to be ahead, if we want to take the leading position over the next few years. He also provided information about the changes that took place in 2017 in the field of Corporate Governance and stressed that Alpha Bank has, by now, one of the most contemporary Corporate Governance systems, which is in full agreement with the directives of the European banking authorities. Ending his speech, Mr. Rapanos said that although we have gone through some difficult years, we have so far succeeded in keeping the Bank high in the estimation of investors and the general public. However, the effort is not over, we have to go on. Finally, he expressed his pride and optimism about the future thanks to the devotion and hard work of the Alpha Bank Personnel, he once again thanked those present and wished them health, strength and a Happy Easter. < 4 / 67 > IN FOCUS The Bank’s Managing Director – CEO Demetrios P. Mantzounis then addressed the audience. After welcoming the participants, he reminded them that after approximately 40 years, the Alpha Bank Group Executives Conference takes place once again at the same venue. He expressed his pleasure about the significant difference in terms of the number of participants as well as the size of the Divani group, which is a significant example of a successful private company. He then talked about the “Strategy Day” which took place recently, where he analysed the Bank’s strategy over the past few years, highlighting the constantly changing environment which heads towards directions that no one can predict. According to Mr. Mantzounis, the Bank’s survival strategy was defined by a constant redefinition of its targets. Maintaining and achieving operating performance as well as increasing the balance sheet indicators require intensive efforts, something that remains an unchanging constant for the Bank. The aforementioned, combined with flexibility and a realistic approach, have resulted in Alpha Bank being in the best position out of all Greek banks. At that point, the Managing Director thanked all those present, as this is a great achievement that belongs to them. However, this success requires one more thing, namely a strong and closely knit management team which has continuity, consistency and stability. These are the factors that inspire trust, first and foremost among those working in this Organisation, as well as investors, the market and the wider environment, combined with team work, a value that the Group considers to be highly important and which is constantly fostered and encouraged.