Emporiki Bank inaugurated yesterday its new model branch on the central Valaoritou pedestrian, at an event during which the Bank announced that it undertakes the overall project to “shed light” to Kolokotronis Square, introducing a meaningful initiative for “more light” in the center of Athens.

The Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Emporiki Bank Mr. Alain Strub together with the Mayor of Athens Mr. George Kaminis inaugurated the branch, with the symbolic cut of a “light beam” instead of the traditional ribbon, in a special ceremony, full of “light”. The event took place yesterday with the presence of many guests, downtown businessmen, executives and collaborators of the Bank, also accompanied by Emporiki´s Choir which performed unique songs of Manos Chatzidakis, inspired by the city of Athens.

“Emporiki Bank, as a member of the Crédit Agricole Group has been continuously investing, despite the particularly difficult environment, in the modernization of its network, the professional development of its people and the advancement of its back-office operations and infrastructure. The new Valaoritou branch reflects all this progress and introduces an innovative way of servicing our customers, businesses or individuals who have chosen Emporiki as their banking partner. In parallel, this important investment symbolizes our confidence in the productive forces of Athens and the hope that ‘sheds light’ to a better future” , the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Emporiki Bank Mr. Alain Strub underlined, inter alia, in his speech.

The Mayor of Athens Mr. George Kaminis, at his brief address, warmly thanked Emporiki Bank for its initiative to shed light to the central Kolokotronis square, pointing out that "we all need more light" and that this initiative will in fact help boost the down town commercial activity and social life. Furthermore Mr. Kaminis referred very positively to the decision of Emporiki bank to open one more modern branch in such a central spot of Athens, underlining that "the banking activity is at the heart of entrepreneurship" .

The General Manager of Retail Banking & Business Development of Emporiki Bank Mr. Minos Moissis spoke about Athens “which is under ordeal on a daily basis, but it holds on, needing today more than ever the support from all of us”. “In this respect” , stressed Mr. Moissis “in Emporiki Bank, against the flow and under particularly difficult economic conditions, we have chosen the “light” and preferred to think positive and invest in the establishment of our new modern branch on Valaoritou pedestrian, which we believe it marks a new era in banking service” .

The new branch of Emporiki Bank, as highlighted by Mr. Moissis, introduces “a new philosophy of multichannel service at a strongly human-centric environment”, with several additional elements that differentiate this branch from the “typical” banking branches. In particular, in full alignment with the high standards of the Crédit Agricole Group retail banking model, the branch has clearly designated consulting zones offering maximum comfort and confidentiality for the transactions, an advanced automated services zone with new generation equipment, state-of-the-art technology security systems, a well updated library including all Emporiki´s publications since 1957 to date, WiFi network, an area with iMac available for use by the customers and also a children’s playground. In addition, the branch will follow an extended working hours schedule and will be open on Saturdays as well.
Referring to the initiative of Emporiki to shed light to Kolokotronis Square, “a historic square of Athens, yet a problematic one, due to its insufficient lighting” , Mr. Moissis pointed out that the Bank takes over the total costs for both study and the implementation of the works required, according to the suggestions of the Municipality of Athens and aiming at ensuring optimal efficiency, energy saving as well as the total aesthetic advancement of the square, to create again a “friendly spot” for the citizens and the visitors of the city.

Finally, in the framework of its initiative for the support of Athens´ city center, Emporiki Bank organised a photo contest on the topic “Athens & Light”. Many citizens participated in the contest with their photos, while a special committee selected the best participations, which were awarded during yesterday’s event.

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Emporiki Bank Group

Emporiki Bank is member of Crédit Agricole, leader in Universal Customer-Focused Banking in France and one of the major banking groups in Europe, with 160,000 employees, 54 million customers and 11,500 branches in 70 countries.

Emporiki Bank has taken a significant hand in the Greek economy for more than 100 years, constituting a reliable partner of domestic households and businesses. Today Emporiki Bank Group employs approximately 4,450 people in Greece and Cyprus and has 303 branches and 10 business centers throughout Greece, along with a growing international retail network in Cyprus..

Emporiki Bank, via its wide branch network, which is being upgraded according to the high standards of a new, modern retail branch model, and having the significant know-how and support of its parent company, offers a wide range of innovative products and services covering the current saving, financing and investment needs of its customers in Greece and abroad, where both Emporiki and Crédit Agricole are present.

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Crédit Agricole Group

Crédit Agricole Group is market leader in full-service retail banking in France and one of the largest banks in Europe.

With operations in 70 countries, Crédit Agricole Group is a leading partner in supporting clients with their projects in all areas of retail banking and associated specialised business lines: day-to-day banking, savings, home and consumer loans, insurance, private banking, asset management, leasing and factoring, and corporate and investment banking.

On the strength of its cooperative and mutualist foundations, Crédit Agricole Group's expansion is based on balanced growth serving the real economy and respecting the interests of its 54 million customers, 1.2 million shareholders, 6.5 million mutual shareholders and 160,000 employees.

Crédit Agricole is included in the four main sustainable development indices: ASPI Eurozone since 2004, FTSE4Good since 2005, DJSI since 2008 (Europe and worldwide) and ESG Stoxx Global 1800 since 2011.

It is ranked the sixteenth most sustainable corporation in the world and No. 2 in France, and is the only French bank in the 2012 Global 100 List.

www.credit-agricole.com

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Press contact:
Christina Dimoudi / Telephone number: 210 328 2706/
E-mail: dimoudi.c@emporiki.gr