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Alpha Bank Group CEO’s meetings on Crete
Growth and resilience partner
The role of the bank in a changing environment
During the 3-day visit, Alpha Bank Group CEO Vassilis Psaltis and the Wholesale Banking team, led by Chief of Wholesale Banking Ioannis Emiris, participated in a series of meetings with heads of business groups operating on Crete in the hospitality, manufacturing and technology sectors.
The discussions centred on the:
- Heightened geopolitical uncertainty caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
- Booking momentum in 2026.
- Proven resilience of the Greek tourism sector, the country’s “heavy industry”, over time.
Financing the local economy
With a financing portfolio of over €1 billion, we maintain a strong multi-level presence on the island of Crete. In the last 4 years we made contributions exceeding €1.8 billion to more than 40 large tourism investments, with a financing participation of approximately €730 million.
At the same time, major projects in the tourism sector are under way with resources from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and co-financing from the bank, such as hotels and expansions or renovations of existing infrastructure.
To enhance the diversification of the local economy, we are financing a wide range of businesses beyond tourism, such as manufacturing, agri-food and technology.
Supporting flagship infrastructure projects
We play a decisive role in major infrastructure projects with total financing limits close to €500 million, covering approximately 30% of the loan funds. This way we promote the connectivity, energy self-sufficiency and digital transformation of Crete.
The new International Airport in Kasteli and the Northern Road Axis of Crete are at the heart of the island’s transition.
At the same time, the electrical interconnection of Crete with the mainland, with the support of IPTO, as well as the development of digital infrastructure, such as the HER1 Data Centre, enhance the island’s energy and technological footprint.
Targeted actions on the island
Enhancing customer experience
The Alpha Bank management team, with the contribution of Group CEO Vassilis Psaltis, held an open discussion workshop with bank executives on the island. The goal was to enhance the holistic experience of the people served at the bank.
The workshop was attended, among others, by:
- Panagiotis Georgiopoulos, Chief Retail Client Strategies Officer
- Fragiski Melissa, Chief Human Resources Officer
- Tilemachos Georgakis, Chief of Commercial Banking
- Maria Papageorgiou, Chief Retail Distribution Officer
- Andreas Katsogiannos, Private Banking Director
- Alexandros Argyros, Axia
- Dimitris Vranopoulos, FlexFin
Circular economy in action
The Group CEO met with teachers and students at the 3rd Junior High School of Heraklion, which was renovated through the “Marietta Giannakou” programme.
The students presented a student business idea developed in the context of the “Circular economy in action ” initiative, organised in partnership with SciCo. The digital app they want to create:
- Promotes sustainable hotel practices.
- Connects visitors to experiential workshops.
- Enhances the sustainable tourism experience.
- Seeks to connect tourism, the environment and the local economy.
