CrediaBank is continuing to expand its presence in European financial services, entering exclusive discussions to acquire a 70 per cent stake in Pantelakis Securities S.A., as it progresses with its planned acquisition of HSBC Malta.

The discussions were announced on Tuesday (today), the same day CrediaBank confirmed a definitive agreement to acquire 70.03 per cent of HSBC Malta. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in early 2027.

Founded in 1920, Pantelakis Securities is a long-established member of the Athens Stock Exchange, providing brokerage and Equity Capital Markets services to private and institutional clients across Greek and international equities, bonds, and derivatives. The firm previously operated as HSBC Securities until 2012 and maintains close operational familiarity with HSBC Group’s systems and business model.

CrediaBank said the potential acquisition would support its strategy to diversify revenue streams, expand into capital markets, and facilitate the integration of HSBC Malta into the group, drawing on experience from earlier HSBC integrations in Greece.

In statements issued earlier this year, CrediaBank outlined how its acquisition of HSBC Malta could translate into tangible changes for clients in Malta if the transaction is completed.

The Greek bank has undergone a rapid restructuring and modernisation programme in recent years and has indicated it plans to introduce new products, enhanced digital services, and a more localised decision-making model in Malta. According to a spokesperson, one of the most immediate changes would be that key decisions are taken closer to the Maltese market, rather than through global group structures.

CrediaBank has emphasised that this approach is intended to improve responsiveness, customer care, and product development, while allowing services to be tailored more closely to local needs.

The bank has also highlighted similarities between Greece and Malta as small, open Mediterranean economies with a strong reliance on services, tourism, and maritime activity, saying this experience provides a relevant framework for addressing Malta’s financial requirements.

The acquisition is expected to strengthen competition in Malta’s increasingly concentrated banking sector. CrediaBank has said a new European entrant with a regional focus could improve resilience while offering households and businesses greater choice.

In Greece, the bank is currently implementing a broad digital transformation plan, investing in automation, customer-focused services, and product diversification. CrediaBank has stated that it intends to deploy this strategy in Malta, with a focus on retail customers and SMEs, aiming to deliver improved online services, smoother transactions, and more competitive financing solutions.

Recent product launches in Greece provide an indication of what could be introduced locally. These include the ‘New Start’ programmes and the ‘My Home II’ mortgage package for homebuyers; an expanded range of deposit, insurance, and mutual fund products; and, for SMEs, the POS working capital loan, which offers immediate financing, enhanced transaction terms, online monitoring, and fraud protection.

Through partnerships with TRITON, Alpha Trust, and 3K, CrediaBank has also launched mutual funds investing in Greek and international bonds, which together surpassed €750 million in assets under management in 2025. The bank has additionally expanded its investment banking activity, participating in bond issuances for corporate clients – expertise that could be extended to the Maltese market.

CrediaBank has said its objective is to create long-term value for customers and shareholders while embedding itself more deeply within Malta’s economic landscape. If completed, the transaction would mark a shift away from the traditional model of a global bank operating a small island subsidiary, towards a European regional bank with a stronger local presence and decision-making mandate.