Alpha Bank Crowned Greek Bank of the Year 2011

The signs of Alpha Bank and Eurobank are seen in close proximity on two buildings in central Athens, Greece 30 August 2011. The two institutions announced their merger 29 August due to the debt crisis in Greece. EPA/BGNES

Alpha Bank has been named Greece's "Bank of the Year" for 2011 for a second year in a row by "The Banker" magazine.

The official awards ceremony was hosted in London on November 30, 2011.

The jury recognised Alpha Bank for its  resilient operating performance in 2011. Its conservative strategy and cost-cutting initiatives were praised by the judges as positioning the Bank well to withstand the financial crisis.

Alpha Bank was also commended for its planned merger with Eurobank, an arrangement acknowledged as ground-breaking. According to "The Banker", the new entity will be well placed not only to withstand the current economic turbulence but to create fresh opportunities and play a pivotal role in the future growth of the region.

"The Alpha Bank and Eurobank merger should have the critical mass to weather the storm, whatever capital demands may fall on Greek banks," the jury of "The Banker" pointed out,

Alpha Bank Executive Chairman, Yannis S. Costopoulos, said, "The award is proof that the hard work and commitment of everyone at Alpha Bank has been recognised for the second consecutive year, during this very difficult time for the Greek economy".

"Our merger with Eurobank leads the way for the consolidation in the Greek banking industry, in order to craft the leading bank in Greece and one of the top 25 banking groups in the Euro-area. We consider the existence of strong private-sector banks to be an essential precondition for Greece's economic recovery", he added.

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