FAQs about international transactions

You set the limit per transaction and it covers all payments to accounts for simple imports.

The maximum limit you can set is €50,000 per transaction.

To change the limit, log into business web banking and choose Profile > Security management > Transfer limits. Click on the pencil icon next to the “Limit for single import” and/or the “Daily transfer limit” and fill in an amount up to €50,000 to set the limit.

To increase the single import or daily transfer limit over €50,000 book an appointment at a branch.

Through business web banking, you cannot pay:

• Documentary collections from a bank, transport company or commercial agent, with conditions for Alpha Bank, such as instructions for delivering documents for payment, paying commission to an agent, or paying a transport or insurance company.
• Clean collections, such as letters of intent, promissory notes, bills of exchange or cheques, with conditions for Alpha Bank.
  
• Letters of credit.
• Letters of guarantee or stand-by letters of credit.
  
• Liabilities from an existing differed settlement import file.
  

For payments you cannot carry out through business web banking, use the online Alpha Web International Trade portal or book an appointment at a branch.

• Instantly, if you are transferring money to an Alpha Bank account or if you have chosen urgent priority.
• In 1-2 business days, if you are transferring money to another bank.
• On the selected date, if you have chosen a specific transfer date.
  

In the latter 2 cases, make sure there is sufficient balance in your account for the transfer. Otherwise, the transaction will not be completed.

1. A filled-out and signed application form with the necessary transaction details.
   
2. Transaction documents (e.g. invoice)
   
3. Latest copy of periodic VAT returns – Submitted periodically, not with every transaction.

• On the same day, for requests submitted until 14:00.
• On the next business day, for requests submitted after 14:00.

You pay a fee:

• 0.10% for the notification – €20 minimum charge
  
• 0.25% for the confirmation per indivisible quarter – €35 minimum charge
  
• 0.40% for the execution or settlement – €35 minimum charge
  
• 0.20% for transfer to another beneficiary – €20 minimum charge
  

Moreover, you pay:

• €20 for cancellation or non-execution
  
• €15 for amendment
• €30 for reimbursement instructions
  
• €40 per document pre-checking
  

Have a look at the commissions and other charges.

You pay a fee:

• 0.30% for the issuance – €40 minimum charge
• 0.20% for confirmation per indivisible quarter – €30 minimum charge
  
• 0.80% for guarantee or unsecured letter of credit – €45 minimum charge
  
• 0.45% for the execution or settlement – €40 minimum charge
  
• 0.30% for deferred payment undertaking – €20 minimum charge
  

You get 30% discount on issuance, confirmation and execution or settlement with a Smart Save sight account. 

Moreover, you pay:

• €30 for amendment
  
• €30 for cancellation of non-executed letter of credit
  

Have a look at the commissions and other charges.

1. Contact the representative or the branch you are working with or email us at e-productsliaison@alpha.gr so we may give you the framework agreement and a template for the special Board act. Sole proprietorships do not need to bring a Board act.
   
2. Submit the special Board act for a legal opinion through business web banking if your company is a Société Anonyme (SA), Limited Liability Company (LTD), Private Company (PC), General Partnership (OE) or Limited Partnership (EE). Alternatively, you can bring it to a branch.
   
3. Come to the branch after the legal opinion to sign the framework agreement for the activation.
   

Book an appointment to visit a branch near you.

To activate the service, the business must:

1. Have a Greek tax number.
   
2. Have sufficient credit limit for letters of guarantee.
   
3. Not be active in shipping or project finance.
   

In addition it must:

1. Not need to submit a special Board act for each letter of guarantee issued according to the business representation.
   
2. Ensure the people it authorises to manage the service have digital banking credentials and can sign online.
   
3. Have updated the business details and the details of the legal representatives.
   
4. Not have debts in settlement.

Participation in tender

• Tender notice
• Call
• Call for expression of interest

Performance

• Contract you have signed or draft contract
• Letter of project award
• Award decision

Payment

• Invoices
• Proforma invoices
  
• Order
• Quote
• Contract
  

Advance payment

• Contract
• Proforma invoices
• Order or quote
  

Retention

• Contract
  
• Letter of project award
  
• Award decision
  

Yes, if you want to:

• Increase the amount.
• Extend the expiry date.
  
• Change the tender date.
  

Find out in detail how to amend an LG.

To reduce the amount of the letter of guarantee, book an appointment at a branch near you.

Provided you asked for the letter of guarantee to be issued online:

1. Log into business web banking with the digital banking credentials of your business.
   
2. Under Lending > Letters of guarantee choose the one you are interested in.
3. Click on the menu to the right and choose “Amend”.
   
4. Choose a purpose, “Amount increase”, “Term extension” or “Tender date change”.
   
5. Fill in the new amount or new expiry date or new date, depending on the purpose for the amendment.
6. Review the text and choose “Accept” to confirm the details are correct. Once the application is submitted, the text cannot be modified.
   
7. Fill in the details for pick-up and payment, and upload the necessary supporting documents.
   
8. Review the information you’ve entered. If it’s correct, choose "Submit”.
9. Sign the application form online within 15 days, provided you are the legal representative or 1 of the legal representatives.

No. Through business web banking we can issue letters of guarantee only in our own template.

If the beneficiary has provided a specific text, you must book an appointment and apply at the branch you are working with.

No. You cannot edit your application after it has been submitted / signed.

1. Log into business web banking with the digital banking credentials of your business.
   
2. Under Lending > Letters of guarantee > Applications, cancel the application that has the mistake.
3. Find the cancelled application under Lending > Letters of guarantee > Applications and choose “New similar application” to repeat the process easily.

Yes, through your business digital banking you can make transfers:

• In the currency of your account, to any account you hold with Alpha Bank. 
• In euro, up to the equivalent of USD 500,000, to any account your business holds with Alpha Bank, after converting your currency online through Web FX for businesses. To convert currency online, your FX account must be held in US dollar (USD), Pound sterling (GBP), Swiss franc (CHF) or Japanese yen (JPY).
  
• Up to USD 500,000 or the equivalent amount in another currency to other banks through direct money transfers with currency conversion.

No. You cannot cancel transactions you carried out through Web FX.

However, if you don’t need the foreign currency, you can reverse the transaction. That is sell the amount and currency you previously bought on that day’s exchange rate. This way you will once again have your funds in the original currency.