Eurobank is working systematically for the continuous modernization of the Greek banking system.
The Eurobank 1989-2008 | The first 20 years – Development with an international character that summarizes the history of the first 20 years of the Bank’s journey, from its establishment until 2008 and highlights its distinct contribution in a period that marked the promotion of innovation in banking services, presented yesterday (Tuesday, July 12, 2022), the author of the chronicle Dr. Christos Gortsos, Professor of Public Economic Law/Law School of the National and Kapodistrian University
at an event organized by the Bank.
The event took place at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, with the former Prime Minister, who served as Vice President of the European Central Bank in 2002-2010 and Governor of the Bank of Greece in the eight-year period 1994-2002, Academic Dr. Lucas Papademos, as the keynote speaker, in the presence of numerous representatives of the domestic political, academic, business and journalistic community. The event was attended by the President of the Bank’s Board of Directors, Mr. Georgios Zanias and the entire Administration, while among others, the Deputy Prime Minister and former caretaker Prime Minister, Mr. Panagiotis Pikramenos, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Professor of Law at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Mr. Evangelos Venizelos, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Christos Staikouras, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Theodoros Skylakakis, the Governor of the Bank of Greece, Yannis Stournaras, the former Presidents and members of the Board of Directors of Eurobank, institutional actors and representatives of institutions were also present.
The issue covers all phases of development of Eurobank, which has completed 30 years of successful course in the Greek market: From 1990 when Georgios Gontikas found the Euroinvestment Bank, which in 1997 was renamed EFG Eurobank, until 2008, deepening in a twenty-year period that was decisive for the gradual development of Eurobank into one of the four (4) systemic Greek banks, today.
For the writing of the chronicle “Eurobank 1989-2008 | The first 20 years – Development with an international character“, by Dr. Christos Gortsos, many years of research and primary materialwad collected and processed by a team of researchers, which was given, for the first time, access to the Archive of Eurobank.The Scientific Team, which processed the Bank’s archival material, contributing substantially to the perfect depiction of Eurobank’s history, was formed by Mrs. Maria Christina Chatziioannou, Director of the Institute of Historical Research of the Hellenic Institute of Research and Mrs. Barbara Lalioti, researcher-doctor of the University of Oxford and Mr. Konstantinos D. Stratis, economist-researcher.It should be noted that the archival material of the Bank that “brings to life” the history of Greek banking since the beginning of the 20th century, is now available with free access to interested researchers.
At the beginning of the event, an audio document was broadcast with an excerpt of the narration of the late Georgios Gontikas. The Bank’s CEO, Mr. Fokion Karavias, referred in his speech to the distinct contribution that the Bank had to the rapid modernization of the Greek banking system, starting in the 1990s, as well as to the value of the chronicle for the understanding of this decisive period. The event was honored with the presence of the former CEO of the Bank, in the period 1996 – 2013, Mr. Nikolaos Nanopoulos, addressing a speech. The book was presented by Dr. Christos Gortsos who analyzed important aspects in open dialogue with the presenter of the event, journalist Mrs. Niki Lyberaki.
“The challenges faced by the banking system and the national economy of Greece and the other states of the European Union stem mainly from the international geopolitical, energy and economic crisis, which is more complex and threatening than the crises we experienced in previous years.Addressing them effectively requires immediate policy decisions to be taken at European level in many areas to ensure financial and macroeconomic stability, support growth and safeguard the security of the Union. Making the required joint decisions is not an easy task. As in the past, different national circumstances and priorities make the task difficult.However, I believe that, as in the past, the crisis will act as a catalyst for the revision of the governance framework in the Union and, in particular, for the adoption of an appropriate framework for the implementation of a more coordinated and coherent economic and fiscal policy in the euro area. The challenges of the times impose a quantum leap towards European integration.”, stated the keynote speaker, Academic Dr. Lucas Papademos.
Dr. L. Papademos, referring to the Bank’s achievements, stressed that it is the result of the collective effort and contribution of the founders, the protagonists and all the staff of the Bank, who through their work have contributed over time to its creation and dynamic development into a systemic bank with an international character.
“The presentation of the history of the first 20 years of Eurobank’s journey, to the scientific community and to the wider readership, is an important moment for the Bank and for all those who have contributed to its course to date.Throughout its journey, at a time of stormy developments that triggered the rapid modernization of the Greek economy, the Bank was run by charismatic and gifted people. I will refer to the late Georgios Gontikas but also to Nikos Nanopoulos, who led an excellent team of executives with vision, realism and strong know-how, contributing, decisively, to the emergence of Eurobank as a central pillar, in the innovation of the banking system, with a strong presence at home and abroad. Today, we take advantage of this strong legacy and further strengthen our position, for the benefit of our customers, employees and shareholders, with the timeless goal of creating value in the societies in which we operate.”, said the CEO of Eurobank, Fokion Karavias.
“The publication of a documented narrative, with the Bank’s achievements and its contribution to the development of economic and social life in recent decades, will be useful to historians of the future and scholars of a decisive period that radically upgraded the Greek economy.Today, in a new rapidly evolving and inaccessible environment, Eurobank can look to the future with optimism as a modern, dynamic organization, with institutional status and a leading role in the banking sector.Free from the burdens bequeathed to it by the many years of crisis, with well-trained staff, customer-centric consciousness, modern technological background, strong management team and “DNA” which is appropriate to the adaptability and flexibility required in today’s era of rapid transitions and technological developments, it plans insightfully and adapts quickly. Remaining timeless pioneers and next to those who strive to progress.”, noted the former CEO of Eurobank, Nikolaos Nanopoulos.
It should be noted that the chronicle “Eurobank 1989-2008 | The first 20 years – Development with an international character” was also presented on Monday, July 11, 2022, at a special event, which was broadcast online for all the Bank’s employees, in the presence of the entire Management of the Bank.The event was addressed by the CEO of Eurobank, Fokion Karavias, who spoke about important aspects of the Bank’s history with the former CEO, Nikolaos Nanopoulos and Dr. Christos Gortsos, in the context of an open discussion.The Head of the General Human Resources Division of Eurobank, Natasa Paschali, and the former General Manager of Human Resources of Eurobank, Athina Dessypri, discussed the people, culture and values of the Bank.
The Eurobank Historical Archive, which records documents dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, is housed in the building of Filellinon 10 and is now open to the scientific public, by appointment.The archive was established in 2014 and has rich published and unpublished archival material, both from the establishment of Eurobank Bank and from banks that merged later with it. It is constantly enriched and organized in accordance with international archival standards and the utilization of all modern, digital means, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the historical memory of the economic life of the country and the Organization.