V. Psaltis: The business world of Crete is a model of resilience, extroversion and development

The four-day tour of all the Prefectures of Crete was carried out by the Management of Alpha Bank, led by CEO Vassilis Psaltis and the participation of General Managers Wholesale Banking Giannis Emiri and Retail Banking Isidoros Passas, Chief Human Resources Officer Frangiskis Melissas and Directors E Business Centers, Small Business Banking and Branch Network of the Bank.

From the 10th to the 13th of May, Alpha Bank executives met with representatives of the business world, mainly from the tourism industry, and had the opportunity to talk live with them about both the management of the current economic situation and for the activation of new investment projects, through and by utilizing the available Community financial instruments.

“Crete is the main pillar of support for our tourism industry, which has been operating for the last decade as a ‘lifeboat’ for the Greek economy, partially absorbing the consequences of the successive crises,” he said. CEO of the Group, Vassilis Psaltis He added: “Exposed for years to global competition, the business world of Crete operates as a model of resilience, extroversion and continuous investment in quality, achieving continuous upgrading of services and products and creating value for the local and national economy.

The discussions with the restless and prosperous entrepreneurship of Crete fill me with optimism for the development possibilities of our country and confirm the determination of Alpha Bank to support what means Progress in the social and economic arena “.

Alpha Bank assists in the economic development of Crete

Alpha Bank Group is a leading player in the financing of Cretan businesses, especially in the tourism sector, investing not only in the success of individual business projects, but also in the multiplier effect that these projects have on the local and national economy. After all, as recently reported in the report of Alpha Bank’s Financial Studies Division, travel receipts “finance” infrastructure investments, boosting the productivity and efficiency of local businesses, improving trade conditions, boosting job creation and integration. of technological progress. In addition, tourism revenues generate significant externalities, squeezing the production costs of local businesses in other sectors of the economy.

The Bank’s loans as well as the approved credit limits to the Cretan economy currently exceed Euro 2 billion, while Alpha Bank’s network serves more than 17,000 companies. The business potential of the island, the will of Alpha Bank to decisively support extroversion, innovation and the transition to a green and sustainable economy, as well as the mobilization of financial resources of the Recovery Fund, the NSRF and the Development Law create the conditions for implementation of high value-added investment projects that will create new jobs and dynamic growth for the local and consequently the national economy.

In total, the Bank’s mission had meetings with more than 150 entrepreneurs, heads of larger groups but also medium and small enterprises, from the sectors of tourism, agri-food, RES, manufacturing and industry.

Crete was the third stop of the Bank’s Management in the Region, as similar tours in Northern Greece and Thessaly have preceded, which signal the determination of the Management of Alpha Bank to stand by the side of Greek companies throughout Greece, in the context of implementation of its ambitious credit policy for the channeling of new resources over Euro 8 billion in the Greek economy in the next three years.

Practical support to the local community and women entrepreneurship

As part of the Alpha Bank Management tour in Crete, Vassilis Psaltis had a meeting with the Governor of Crete Stavros Arnaoutakis, during which the development plans of the Region for the improvement of the infrastructure, the attraction of new investments and the further development were discussed. of entrepreneurship and employment in Crete.

At the meeting, it was also agreed to continue Alpha Bank’s actions in the socially critical sectors of Education and Health. Through the “Together, Aiming at Education” Program, the Bank has equipped with modern interactive teaching systems and sports equipment a total of 6 schools in the prefecture of Heraklion, while, through the “Together, Aiming at Health” program, the medical effort has been supported. and nursing staff at the University General Hospital of Heraklion, the General Hospital of Rethymno and the General Hospital of Chania “O Agios Georgios”.

Also, during the visit to the island, Mr. Psaltis and CHRO Fragisi Melissa, accompanied by the General Manager of Retail Banking Isidoros Passas and the Head of the Branches of Attica II, Southwestern Greece and Islands Maria Papasanorgiou with Non-Profit Organization “Women Do Business”, aiming at the strategic cooperation of the two parties in promoting women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship in the Greek region and supporting women who currently work or have previously worked in the Alpha Bank family.

Faster, more complete services to the Customer

Finally, the CEO and the Executives of the Bank visited, among others, the Branches in Heraklion, Hersonissos, Agios Nikolaos, Rethymno and Chania, the Tourism and Island Business Financing Department as well as the Private and Gold Customer Service Units of Alpha Bank. Discussions with the Bank’s Employees focused on the conditions for accelerating growth on the island, further strengthening the Group’s ties with the local community and the full utilization of new banking tools, through the maturation of the Bank’s Transformation Plan for the provision of personalized services. High Value Added to Alpha Bank Customers.