x

Society

Bank of Cyprus Chief Executive to Depart in September

March 4, 2019

NICOSIA (AP) — The chief executive of Cyprus’ largest bank said Monday that he will quit his position in September after nearly six years to take up a “commercial opportunity” in the U.K.

John Patrick Hourican, the CEO of Bank of Cyprus, said he leaves the bank in “its strongest capital position in living memory.” He led its recovery from near-bankruptcy in 2013 when a banking crisis forced Cyprus to seek a rescue deal from international creditors.

Hourican said an indication of the bank’s overall health is its high level of capital buffers and its 4.4 billion euros in excess liquidity. The bank’s bad loans have been whittled down from 15 billion euros to 4.8 billion euros over six years.

He cited family matters as a key reason for his departure and said the bank’s strong balance sheet is “a good moment” to consider his succession.

“Having spent six years of my life in Cyprus by the time September comes, I’m not sure I can commit much longer than that,” said Hourican.

Hourican also oversaw the bank’s crackdown on dubious accounts and depositors in a bid to clean up the country’s image as a money-laundering haven, especially for Russian clients.

According to the bank’s figures, between 2015 and 2017 it closed more than 5,300 suspicious accounts and turned away nearly 3,000 potential new customers who didn’t stand up to new anti-money laundering rules. As of the end of 2017, Russian and Ukrainian deposits accounted for 8.34 percent of the bank’s total deposits.

RELATED

JERUSALEM (AP) — The construction of a new port in Gaza and an accompanying U.

Top Stories

Columnists

A pregnant woman was driving in the HOV lane near Dallas.

General News

NEW YORK – Meropi Kyriacou, the new Principal of The Cathedral School in Manhattan, was honored as The National Herald’s Educator of the Year.

Video

Over 100 Pilot Whales Beached on Western Australian Coast Have Been Rescued, Officials Say

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — More than 100 long-finned pilot whales that beached on the western Australian coast Thursday have returned to sea, while 29 died on the shore, officials said.

On Monday, April 22, 2024, history was being written in a Manhattan courtroom.

PARIS - With heavy security set for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games during a time of terrorism, France has asked to use a Greek air defense system as well although talks are said to have been going on for months.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A tiny Philip Morris product called Zyn has been making big headlines, sparking debate about whether new nicotine-based alternatives intended for adults may be catching on with underage teens and adolescents.

Enter your email address to subscribe

Provide your email address to subscribe. For e.g. [email protected]

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in our newsletter.