CrediaBank has reported record financial results for 2025, marking the first full year following the merger of Attica Bank and Pancreta Bank, as the Greek lender positions itself for further expansion including the planned acquisition of a majority stake in HSBC Bank Malta.

During a Capital Markets Day held in London, the bank outlined its financial performance and long-term strategy, highlighting strong profitability growth, expanding lending activity, and a strengthening capital position.

CrediaBank – now the fifth-largest bank in Greece by total assets – reported recurring pre-provision profits of €82.5 million in 2025, an increase of 88 per cent year-on-year. Recurring profit before tax reached €57.8 million, up 93 per cent compared with 2024.

Net interest income rose 58 per cent to €168.3 million, driven primarily by credit expansion and higher loan balances following the merger of Attica Bank and Pancreta Bank. At the same time, net fee and commission income nearly doubled to €37.2 million, representing 16.5 per cent of recurring income.

The bank also recorded its strongest-ever lending performance. New disbursements reached €3.4 billion during the year – a 47 per cent increase – while net credit expansion totalled €1.1 billion, exceeding targets set under the bank’s business plan.

Deposits reached a new historic high of €6.8 billion, reflecting annual growth of 11 per cent and supporting a strong liquidity position. CrediaBank closed the year with a loans-to-deposits ratio of 66 per cent and a liquidity coverage ratio of 162 per cent.

Capital levels also strengthened, with the CET1 ratio reaching 11 per cent and the total capital ratio standing at 17.4 per cent, comfortably above regulatory requirements. Meanwhile, the bank’s non-performing exposure ratio remained contained at 2.9 per cent.

CrediaBank executives described 2025 as a “defining year” for the group following its rebranding and operational integration after the merger of Attica Bank and Pancreta Bank. The integration of the two banks’ systems was completed in September, creating a unified platform and enabling the next phase of growth.

Looking ahead, the group’s strategy focuses on four key areas: expanding market share in Greece, accelerating growth in Malta, advancing digital transformation, and pursuing targeted mergers and acquisitions.

A major component of this strategy is the planned acquisition of a 70.03 per cent stake in HSBC Bank Malta from HSBC Holdings. The transaction, which remains subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close by the first quarter of 2027.

Once completed, the consolidation of HSBC Malta would nearly double the size of the group, creating a banking entity with €16.4 billion in assets and €13.3 billion in deposits.

HSBC Malta itself reported strong financial results in 2025, with €2.8 billion in loans and €6.5 billion in deposits, generating €109 million in profit before tax and maintaining a CET1 ratio of 24.1 per cent.

CrediaBank said the acquisition would allow it to expand its presence in Malta, particularly in commercial banking, personal banking, and wealth management services. The group expects to generate synergies through product diversification, funding efficiencies, and operational optimisation across its operations in Greece and Malta.

Alongside its expansion plans in Malta, the bank is also pursuing further diversification in Greece. It has entered exclusive discussions to acquire a 70 per cent stake in Pantelakis Securities, one of the country’s established brokerage firms, as part of its strategy to strengthen investment and capital markets services.

CrediaBank currently serves around 300,000 corporate and retail customers through a network of 65 retail branches and five business centres across Greece.

The bank’s medium-term targets include a return on tangible equity above 17 per cent, a cost-to-income ratio in the low 40 per cent range, and net loans exceeding €11 billion, supported by continued loan growth and expansion into new revenue streams.