Significant events of the past five years

On February 6, 2020 Alpha Bank successfully placed a Euro 500 million, Tier 2 bond with 10-year maturity callable after 5 years at a yield of 4.25%. The transaction, highlighting the trust of the investor community and the Bank’s prospects, contributed to the optimization of the Bank’s capital structure and diversified its capital sources while further strengthened the Total Capital Ratio by circa 105bps.
Alpha Bank was included in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI) for the second consecutive year for its consistent commitment to the reinforcement of gender equality and advancement of women in the workplace.
Promptly responding to the Covid-19 pandemic challenges, the Bank ensured its smooth and safe operation at all levels and, in the first half of 2020, provided new disbursements of Euro 3.5 billion. At the same time, it suspended loan payments amounting to Euro 4.8 billion, supporting actively the society and the economy.
The implementation of Project Galaxy, which is a key pillar of Alpha Bank's strategic plan, has been accelerated since the beginning of the second quarter of 2020, aiming at the front-loaded improvement in the Bank’s asset quality ratios and enhancement of profitability.
Alpha Bank is the first Greek bank to provide Visa and Mastercard cardholders with the Apple Pay service, ensuring even greater ease and security in payments.
In July 2020, Alpha Bank has been named “Best Bank in Greece” for 2020, at the “Awards for Excellence 2020” by the international financial publication “Euromoney” due to its adaptability, robust capital position and commitment to social responsibility throughout the recent Covid-19 crisis.
During the first half of 2020, 91% of the total transactions at Alpha Bank were completed through its digital networks (e-banking, ATM, Automated Cash Transaction Centers), while an impressive annual increase of 70% was recorded by the use of the bank's mobile banking, serving more than 65 million connections. The number of active users of Alpha mobile banking increased by 51%.
In September 2020, Alpha Bank announced the launch of the process for the transfer of its NPE Management Operations (carve-out) to Cepal (NPE Management Operations). The carve-out includes the transfer of the Employees of the Bank’s NPE Management Operations, in accordance with the applicable law and in full respect of their salary and insurance rights. The transaction is part of Project Galaxy, the largest non-performing exposure securatisation transaction in Greece and one of the largest transactions in Europe.

On January 2, 2019 Vassilios E. Psaltis assumed his duties as CEO of Alpha Bank, after the unanimous decision of the Board of Directors on November 29, 2019.
Alpha Bank was awarded as the “Most Active Issuing Bank in 2018 in Greece”, by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), as well as “Best Private Bank in Greece” for 2019 by “Professional Wealth Management” (PWM) and “The Banker” of the Financial Times Group.
In January 2019, Alpha Bank was included in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI), for its commitment to advancing the position of women in the workplace.
Alpha Bank continued to provide support to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. In March 2019, the Bank signed an agreement with the Hellenic Fund for Entrepreneurship and Development (ETEAN S.A.) for the preferential financing of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, through the Action “Business Financing - Entrepreneurship Fund II”.
As part of its Digital Transformation, in May 2019, Alpha Bank introduced Garmin Pay, the most innovative and cutting-edge smartwatch payment method to the Greek market.
In May 2019, the inaugural Euro 200 million covered bond issue was successfully carried out by the subsidiary Bank of Alpha Bank Group in Romania.
In July 2019, Alpha Bank signed two agreements with the European Investment Bank, worth Euro 150 million, for the empowerment of women in the workplace and the boost of youth employment.
In August 2019, Alpha Bank endorsed the six Principles of Responsible Banking established by the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), thus actively participating in the global effort to create a sustainable future.
In September 2019, Alpha Bank and Eurobank signed an agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to jointly participate in the Infrastructure Fund of Funds – InfraFoF, for the support of investments across priority sectors, namely renewable energy, energy efficiency and urban development.
In October 2019, Alpha Bank assigned the servicing of its portfolio of Non-Performing Exposures and Real Estate Owned assets in Cyprus to doValue Group, following an international competitive bidding process.
In November 2019, Alpha Bank presented the new Strategy Update 2020-2022 and turned the page with a comprehensive plan to deal with the Non-Performing Exposures, along with an updated customer centric focus.

Alpha Bank continued to support Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). In December 2017, through the “COSME” Loan Guarantee Facility Programme, Alpha Bank undertook the financing of Euro 200 million to SMEs, while in July 2017, the Bank signed a Euro 150 million loan agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to finance the agricultural, tourism, manufacturing and services sectors. In April 2017, a loan agreement previously signed with EIB, was activated for raising a total amount of Euro 100 million.
In December 2017, Alpha Bank introduced my Alpha wallet with Tap ‘n Pay, the first integrated mobile payments application in the Greek market.
In November 2017, the first “Fintech Challenge ’17” Digital Innovation Hackathon was organised, on the initiative of the Bank. During the event, with the aim of showcasing the most innovative digital business ideas for the future of the financial sector.
In October 2017, the second financing transaction of USD 250 million through shipping securitisation with Citi was successfully completed.
For yet another year, the Bank gained distinction in Extel's annual Europe-wide survey of leading professionals in the financial services sector. The Investor and Analyst Relations Division was ranked, for the fourth consecutive year, 1st in Greece out of 30 companies, and 9th out of 139 European banks. In addition, Alpha Bank was ranked 38th among Europe’s top 100 companies active in all sectors of the economy.
Alpha Bank was included in the FTSE4GOOD Sustainability Index for the high level of its environmental and social awareness and performance. In parallel, a large number of social contribution activities were organised with the voluntary participation of the Bank’s Employees.
The Alpha Mobile Banking, Alpha e-Commerce and my Alpha Wallet advanced electronic services of the Bank received a number of major Greek market awards for their high level of usability, design and security in transactions.
In March 2017, Alpha Bank participated in the international consortium for the long-term financing of Fraport Greece, in connection with the concession of 14 Greek regional airports
The Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection and the Museum of Cycladic Art jointly organised a major exhibition titled “MONEY. Tangible symbols in ancient Greece”, scheduled to run from November 2, 2017 to April 15, 2018. The Exhibition presents for the first time to the public fine examples of ancient coins, presents to the public some fine examples of ancient coins, the overwhelming majority of which are from the Bank’s Numismatic Collection.
The Alpha Bank Art Collection continued its activities in 2017, jointly organising, with the Benaki Museum and GR Design magazine, the exhibition “The New ‘Salon des Cent’. International Poster Exhibition: Hommage to Toulouse-Lautrec”.
Alpha Bank supported the commercial regeneration of the Nicoloudis Arcade within 2017. The Bank undertook the works for its reconstruction and restoration from the extensive damages caused by arson attacks in 2012. The Nicoloudis Arcade is home to a total of 14 shops.

The Bank established key partnership agreements throughout the year for the support of Small and Medium-sized enterprises. These included an SME securitisation transaction, achieving funding of Euro 320 million, by placing Senior Notes with the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and an International Investment Bank.
Alpha Bank was named “Best Bank in Greece” for 2016 in the “Awards for Excellence 2016” event organised by the “Euromoney” international financial publication:
Alpha Bank's Bonus Loyalty Programme, the largest Loyalty Programme in the Greek market, celebrated ten years of successful operation.
Alpha Bank introduced “my Alpha wallet”, the integrated digital wallet that offers Customers maximum security, speed and ease in their transactions. Moreover, it was the first bank in the Greek market to offer to collaborating businesses the innovative MasterPass payment service.
In the context of its collaboration with AXA Insurance S.A., Alpha Bank launched the new, innovative health insurance plan “Alpha Global Medical Care”.
Alpha Bank and Eurobank concluded a binding agreement with KKR Credit for the assignment to the latter of the management of selected wholesale credit and equity exposures.
Alpha Bank received 17 distinctions for its advanced e-banking services and for its overall digital presence, including the “Digital Bank of Distinction for Western Europe” award from the Global Finance international magazine.
Alpha Bank sponsored two major exhibitions of works by Delacroix and Philippoteaux in Thessaloniki.
“The defacements that hurt”, the programme for the restoration of sculptures and monuments that has been running since 2013 as a part of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility, was expanded to Thessaloniki, with the volunteer initiative titled “Let's give Nea Paralia, Thessaloniki its old glow back".
Alpha Bank and Diners Club organised “Dine Athens”, the first Athens gastronomy week, with the participation of 5,500 visitors in 100 selected restaurants.

In December 2015, the publication “With wisdom and vision: Alpha Bank. 19th - 21st century”, which narrates the history of the Bank from its establishment to the present day, was issued.
On 25 November 2015, the Bank completed successfully its recapitalisation by Euro 2,563 million, with the exclusive participation of private investors.
Alpha Bank presented the lowest capital requirements among the Greek Banks, under the baseline scenario, in the ECB’s Comprehensive Assessment which was completed on 31 October 2015.
The key projects for the operational integration of the former Citibank with the Network of Alpha Bank and the migration of the Diners Club cards to the Bank’s systems, were successfully completed in the second half of the year.
In June 2015, Alpha Bank offered to its Customers the fully upgraded Alpha Web Banking and Alpha Mobile Banking services, fully in line with modern global e-banking trends. In December 2015, the renewed Alpha e-Banking received four major distinctions at the Lighthouse e-volution awards 2016.