7 2014 - Alpha Bank

THE BANK
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ΠΕΡ Ε
Ε Α
CONTENTS
THE BANK
2
Μazi
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4
THE WORLD
OF ALPHA BANK GROUP
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6
9
CULTURE
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PRODUCT NEWS
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7 2014
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Issue 10
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IN FOCUS
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CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
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GROUP COMPANIES
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Editor: CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
40, Stadiou Str.
102 52 ATHENS, GREECE
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CULTURE SPECIAL
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AT A GLANCE
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Distinction of the Bank in the
“Business IT Excellence Awards 2014”
T
he Bank received a Business IT Excellence Award for the third consecutive year, as in the Business IT Excellence Awards
2014 it was presented with the award for Top Performance in the Systems Integration Category, for the project
concerning the Operational Integration of the former Emporiki Bank and of the Cooperative Banks of the Dodecanese, Evia and
Western Macedonia.
The overall project was designed with the aim of ensuring the quickest and smoothest possible transition to the uniform Information
Systems environment of Alpha Bank. The Bank’s IT Divisions scheduled, organised and coordinated the work of the individual Teams
and Projects that were set up, in order to achieve the short-term and long-term business goals.
Established in 2012, the “Business IT Excellence Awards” reward the application of best practices in the IT sector and
the exploitation of IT and Communication Technologies. Participations in the awards include companies active in IT and
Communications, together with businesses that have in place IT Units to support their operations.
The award ceremony was held at the Grande Bretagne Hotel, on Monday, June 30, 2014. The award was received on behalf of the
Bank by the Manager of the IT Systems Division Georgios Blymakis, the Manager of the IT Applications Division Spyridon Tzamtzis
and the Manager of the Project Management Division Constantinos Fourlas.
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Alpha Bank won two awards
for the quality of its payment orders
D
eutsche Bank is one of our main correspondent banks, with global presence and prestige. Given its important position
and its share of the world payments market, it has established for several years now the Deutsche Bank “STP
Excellence Awards”, awarded to its best banking associates in every country who achieve an STP score above 90%
(based on international benchmarks).
For 2013, Alpha Bank won two excellence awards for the quality of its payments: the “EUR STP EXCELLENCE AWARD” and
the “USD STP EXCELLENCE AWARD”.
The high STP score in outgoing payment orders achieved by the Fund Transfers Section is the result of the full centralisation
and automation of payments in the Bank, which has direct beneficial impacts in terms of reduced operating costs for handling
payments as well as in terms of bolstering Alpha Bank’s position as the best local candidate for selection by foreign banks as
a hub for incoming payments to Greece.
The Unit’s objective is to ensure the continuous improvement of the quality of payments, as its operations are ISO9001:2008
certified, and the application of best practices at the Group level.
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Training and Development Division
The most important training programmes of June 2014
Internal Certification Exams
The Internal Certification Exams were held on June 14, 2014, in accordance with the training schedule. A total of 287 persons took
these exams at the Training Centre, while 277 Employees took them at the designated “Branches - Exams Centres”, for a total of 661
Certificates.
Until now, a total of 2,635 Employees have successfully passed the exams out of 3,720 participants in total, bringing the average
success rate to 71%. Results are shown in detail in the Table below, with relevant statistics per Certificate available on the
Alpha Bank Intranet.
INTERNAL CERTIFICATIONS 2012-2014
CERTIFICATES
HOLDERS
AVERAGE SUCCESS RATE
Know Your Customer
575
87%
Transactions 1
423
61%
Transactions 2
242
72%
50
82%
Consumer Loans Operations
167
81%
Housing Loans Operations
156
56%
Deposits and Investment Operations for Customer Relationship Officers
118
71%
70
81%
168
61%
89
53%
164
81%
Financial Analysis
96
57%
Letters of Guarantee
79
69%
Bancassurance for Businesses
82
78%
International Trade – Values for Collection
89
86%
International Trade – Letters of Credit
67
70%
2,635
71%
Transactions Control from the Cash Transactions Officer job position
Deposits and Investment Operations for Alpha Prime Officers
Bancassurance for Individual Customers
Business Financing Operations
Workout
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Recertification in the Provision of Investment Services (BoG) and Insurance Brokers Certification
The first round of the preparatory training programme for Employees and Executives in view of their participation in the recertification
exams for the Provision of Investment Services (Certificate Holders a1, a2, b1, b, c, d), in October 2014, was successfully completed
in June. The principal trainers were University Professors and prominent financial sector executives – market professionals. The
updated training material and the question pool are available on the Alpha Bank Intranet.
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Candidates can also login to the WBT SABA platform (https://elearning.alpha.gr/Saba/Web/Main, My Training / Training
Courses Catalogue / Certification in the Provision of Investment Services (BoG)), where specialised e-learning courses and
simulated exam sessions for all Certificates have been made available as practice materials for candidates.
During June, two additional preparatory training programmes were carried out for Employees wishing to participate in the exams for
their certification in Bancassurance Operations. These programmes were conducted by the Hellenic Institute of Insurance Studies
(EIAS) and a total of 60 people are expected to take the respective exams scheduled for September 20, 2014.
Specialised Training for the Executives of Central Divisions
In response to relevant requests from the Central Divisions of the Bank, the following specialised training programmes were carried
out during June: The Basel III Accord: New Standards for Capital, Liquidity and Counterparty Credit Risk Management
and Corporate debt restructuring.
The aim of the first programme was to help participants understand the role of the Basel III Accord on the global prudential
regulatory framework, whereas the second programme covered the factors that characterise and influence Corporate debt
restructuring. The trainers in these two programmes, which were carried out over the course of two days in collaboration with the
Hellenic-American Union, were Mr. Graeme Skelly and Mr. Michael Woolley, respectively. Participations in each programme numbered
a total of 20 Executives from the following Divisions: Capital Management and Banking Supervision, Corporate Banking, International
Wholesale Banking, Non-Performing Loans – Wholesale – International, Market and Operational Risk, Economic Analysis, Wholesale
Credit – Greece, Wholesale Credit – International, and Sales.
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“Domenikos Theotokopoulos between Venice and Rome”
O
n the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the death of Domenikos Theotokopoulos, the Benaki Museum, in collaboration
with the Historical Museum of Crete, organised jointly the exhibition “Domenikos Theotokopoulos between Venice and
Rome”, which centres on the two paintings of Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) on permanent exhibition at the Historical
Museum of Crete, in Iraklio. These are The Baptism of Christ, which belongs to the Municipality of Iraklio, and the View of
Mt Sinai and the Monastery of St Catherine, which was purchased by the Andreas and Maria Kalokairinou Foundations in 1991.
The Exhibition presents documents relating to El Greco’s residence in Rome, together with images, paintings and engravings,
together with works by major 16th century artists which are related to the imagery of the two paintings by Theotokopoulos and
are exhibited in the Historical Museum of Crete. Works to be exhibited for the first ever time in Greece include The Adoration of
the Shepherds from the Agnes Etherington Art Center (Kingston, Canada), the Portrait of Giulio Clovio by Sofonisba Anguissola,
from a private foreign collection (Rome), and a Portrait of Fulvio Orsini by an unknown artist, from the Uffizi Gallery Museum.
The Exhibition opens at the Historical Museum of Crete and will later be transferred to the Benaki Museum (138, Pireos Street
building), where El Greco's painting A Boy Blowing a candle from the Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte in Naples will be
exhibited, for the first time, in Greece.
The Exhibitions on El Greco organised by the Benaki Museum are sponsored by Alpha Bank.
The Exhibition’s official inauguration
ceremony was held at the Historical
Museum of Crete on Friday,
June 20, 2014. The Bank was
represented by the Manager of the
Aegean Islands and Crete Branch
Division Georgios Karachalios, the Head
of Public Relations and Events Eleni
Stergiou, the Curator of the Alpha Bank
Art Collection Irene Orati and
Managers of the Bank’s Branches
Snapshot from the Exhibition’s inauguration ceremony at the Historical
Museum of Crete.
in Crete.
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A rare print by Henri Matisse at the exhibition
“Dimitris Galanis: The Illustrated Books”
In the bottom right corner of the sheet, a dedication by
Henri Matisse to Dimitris Galanis: essai-à Galanis.
Cordiale[ment] Henri Matisse (Artist’s proof-to Galanis.
Cordially, Henri Matisse).
Henri Matisse, Portrait of Dimitris Galanis, (1914)
Etching on Chinese paper, 13.2 x 9.1 cm
Artist’s proof
I
n 2009, a new valuable work was acquired by the Alpha Bank Art Collection: an extremely rare print created by the French artist Henri
Matisse (1869-1954), a pioneer of Modernism in Europe. It depicts the Greek printmaker and painter Dimitris Galanis (1879-1966),
who had settled in Paris at the beginning of the 20th century and was already acknowledged by the artistic milieux of the French capital.
Since 1910, Matisse had established a friendly relationship with Galanis and they had jointly participated in collective exhibitions (Salon
des Indépendants 1913 and 1914). Furthermore, they shared their love for music and they used to play together: Galanis played the
organ and Matisse the violin. In the 1910s, Matisse designed few portraits of his friends and then engraved them on copper. The French
artist created two etchings of Galanis’ portrait, not long before the Greek artist joined the French Foreign Legion, in August 1914.
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Through severe, clear-cut lines, Matisse manages to capture his Greek friend’s characteristic countenance: a long and thin nose, sticking
out ears and an ironic smile.
Acquiring this particular work is significant in many aspects:
ΕΤ
Dimitris Galanis: The Illustrated Books, Eynard Mansion.
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“Summer Explorations”
at the exhibition “THE EUROPE OF GREECE”
T
he Department of Educational Programmes of the
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki organises summer
educational workshops entitled “Summer Explorations”.
In July, two programmes are held, based on the exhibition
“The Europe of Greece: Colonies and Coins from the
Alpha Bank Collection”:
“Sea Voyages in Ancient Times”
- For children aged 5-7.
“Intrepid Seafarers in Great Adventures!”
- For children aged 8-11.
Both programmes focus on the colonists’ voyages and
adventures. Depending on their age, the children have the
opportunity to walk through the Exhibition and seek for
information, which they can receive through narration, by
answering questions and by solving riddles.
Finally, they participate in a craft workshop and make their
own coins, drawing inspiration from the exhibits.
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School students visit the Alpha Bank Cultural Centre in Nafplio
A
s the 2013-2014 school year ended, the first series of school students’ visits at the Alpha Bank Cultural Centre in Nafplio was
concluded as well. The students had the opportunity to attend the educational exhibition entitled “MYTH: Ancient and
Contemporary Greek Art from the Alpha Bank Collections” jointly organised by the Art Collection and the Numismatic Collection
Sections of the Bank.
Through the exhibits, the students discovered the world of gods, heroes and mythical creatures of the ancient Greek mythology, while
at the same time experiencing the way these figures have been engraved on ancient coins and have been illustrated in works by
contemporary Greek artists.
In the context of the Exhibition, an educational programme was offered, entitled “With Ariadne’s thread, the myth I unfold…”, for
the purposes of which, a museum educator specialist designed two leaflets for school students of Primary and Secondary Education
respectively, encouraging the active participation of children of different ages and interests.
During the school year, the Exhibition was attended by 1,820 visitors, including the 467 persons who visited the Cultural Centre in the
framework of the “Night of Museums”, an event in which the Bank participated for the fifth consecutive year.
The exhibition “MYTH: Ancient and Contemporary Greek Art from the Alpha Bank Collections” will be presented during the next school
year as well and, thus, the students will have another opportunity to attend it.
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Tap ’n Pay: Alpha Bank and Vodafone bring to Greece
the state-of-the-art contactless payment method
I
n order to advertise Tap ’n Pay, the first-ever mobile contactless payment application in Greece,
provided by Alpha Bank and Vodafone, an advertising campaign was launched in July, via TV, Press
and internet, with the key message: “Tap ’n Pay: The state-of-the-art contactless payment
method, now for the first time in Greece.”
In a modern, inventive way, the TV spot shows a mischievous little boy obviously mimicking his
parents and trying to “pay” for a jumbo-size bag of snacks with his toys, exactly as “grown-ups” do
using their mobile phones! The contactless reader and the cash register operator, however, do not
accept the transaction – that is, until the boy’s dad and his mobile phone show up! Because Tap ’n
Pay is our mobile wallet!
In particular, the Tap’n Pay application allows contactless payments to be made and charged to the
bank account linked to your debit card, at merchants’ stores equipped with the special contactless
readers. Tap ´n Pay transactions using specific Android mobile devices are today supported in more
than 5,500 retail stores, including Vodafone, AB Vassilopoulos, Notos Galleries, Kotsovolos,
Hondos Center, Pizza Hut, Public, Germanos, H&M, Marks & Spencer, Calzedonia, Intimissimi,
Intersport, Sklavenitis, Starbucks, Jumbo, Duty Free,
The Body Shop and many others. Both the number of
merchants and the types of mobile phones that
support the application are gradually increasing.
For more information about the application and the
terms under which it can be obtained, please visit
www.alpha.gr/tapnpay.
In order to watch the TV spot, press here.
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New Alpha Bank Prepaid MasterCard®
T
he new Alpha Bank Prepaid MasterCard was presented to the Bank’s Customers in July.
This new Card allows Customers to securely conduct, control and organise their purchases,
as cardholders can “load” their card with the amount of the transaction they wish to carry out
each time. The new Card can be used for purchases made online or by phone, as well as in all
business with the MasterCard sign in Greece and abroad.
The Card also is equiped with Chip & PIN technology, which offers maximum security in everyday transactions.
The new prepaid Card allows Cardholders to “load” the Card whenever they wish to do so and for an unlimited number of times, using
the Alpha Web Banking, Alpha Mobile Banking and Alpha Phone Banking electronic services, as well as in the Bank’s Branch Tellers, Automated
Cash Transaction Centres (ACTCs) and ATMs.
For more information about the Alpha Bank Prepaid MasterCard, please visit www.alpha.gr, the Alpha Bank Intranet and
www.alpha.gr/cards.
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A summer full of Bonus offers!
W
ith the aim of promoting the big summer
offers for collecting and redeeming Bonus
points through purchases at the Programme’s
partners, the Bonus Loyalty Programme launched
in June, an advertising campaign, via Press and
internet, with the key message: “Get ready for a
summer full of Bonus offers!”
For more information about the Bonus summer
offers and their terms and duration, please visit
www.alpha.gr/bonus.
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“The Ionian Bank and Its Privilege of Issue (1839-1920)”
T
he exhibition entitled “The Ionian Bank and Its Privilege of Issue (1839-1920)”, which is mounted by the Alpha Bank
Historical Archives, was inaugurated at the Banknote Museum of the Ionian Bank in Corfu, on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, in
the context of the commemoration of the 150 years from the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece.
The first building of the Ionian Bank in Corfu
Detail from a ten-Share title of the Ionian Bank.
(currently the Banknote Museum of the Ionian Bank).
Banknote Museum of the Ionian Bank, Corfu
Alpha Bank Historical Archives
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The Exhibition follows the history of the privilege of issue of the Ionian Bank, the first Bank to operate in Greek lands, which in
2000 merged with the Alpha Credit Bank in order to form Alpha Bank.
Namely, the Exhibition spans a period of the Ionian Bank’s history (1839-1920) during which its course was intertwined with
that of the Ionian Islands. In the same period, the privilege of issue held by the Bank played a decisive role in its operation and,
concurrently, in the financing of the Islands’ economy. As of 1920, when the privilege was terminated definitively, the Ionian
Bank continued to support the economy of the Ionian Islands but henceforth operated exclusively as a commercial bank.
Personnel of the Corfu Branch while working, c. 1900
Five-Colonati banknote issued by the Ionian Bank, Corfu, 1860s
(currently the Aghios Spyridon Branch of Alpha Bank).
Banknote Museum of the Ionian Bank, Corfu
Copy of photograph
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The Exhibition area.
The Exhibition presents rare items (documents, securities, accounting book volumes, photographs, memorabilia),
owned by the Alpha Bank Historical Archives, as well as material showcased at the Banknote Museum, such as
banknotes issued by the Ionian Bank in its capacity as the Bank of issue of the Ionian Islands. In parallel, visitors have
the opportunity to observe exhibits kindly lent by other Greek and foreign Historical Archives, Foundations and Libraries.
It is also worth noting that, in the context of the Exhibition, part of the Ionian Bank Archives, which are located at the
British Library of Political and Economic Science of the London School of Economics, has been utilised.
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Snapshots of the inauguration of the Exhibition.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by a representative of his Eminence, the Metropolitan Bishop Nektarios of Corfu,
Paxoi, and the Diapontia Islands, entrepreneurs, representatives of the Press, as well as Customers and friends of the Bank.
The Bank was represented by the Manager of the Greek Branch Network Division Athanassios Gatsis, the Manager of the
Business Centres Division Vasilios Zografos, the Manager of the Secretariat of the Board of Directors George Triantafyllides, the
Assistant Manager of the Peloponnese, Western Greece and Ionian Islands Branch Division Nikolaos Spanos, the Manager of the
Business Centre Attica 5 Theodoros Theodoropoulos, Managers of the Corfu Branches, the Head of Public Relations and
Events Eleni Stergiou, Chrysa Tzanimi of the Public Relations, Aris Rapidis and Andromache Theodoropoulou of the Secretariat
of the Board of Directors, as well as the Academic Advisor of the Historical Archives, Professor Konstantinos Kostis.
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The Exhibition, which will be showcased until December 2015, is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue in Greek and in English.
The cover of the Exhibition’s catalogue.
Inside pages of the Exhibition’s catalogue.
Banknote Museum of the Ionian Bank
Aghiou Spyridonos Square (Iroon Kypriakou Agonos Square), GR-491 00 CORFU
Opening hours
April 1 - September 30
Wednesday and Friday: 09:00-14:00 and 17:30-20:30
Thursday: 09:00-15:00
Saturday and Sunday: 08:30-15:00
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Wednesday to Sunday: 08:00-15:00
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Corporate Sustainability Guide
I
n the meeting of its members, held in June 2014, the
Hellenic Network for Corporate Social Responsibility
(HNCSR), in which the Bank is participating, presented the
Corporate Sustainability Guide, developed by the Network’s
“Transparency and Governance” working group.
The purpose of the Guide is to provide appropriate information
and directions, to strengthen the view that the practical
application of CSR is beneficial to the society as well as to
businesses, and to raise the number of businesses that
recognise and apply Corporate Social Responsibility practices.
Using plain language and practical examples, the Guide
discusses Corporate Responsibility and Corporate Governance
issues which can help achieve business sustainability and
strengthen profitability and a company’s reputation and its
internal and external image.
The “Transparency and Governance” working group was
composed of 17 executives from member companies of the
Hellenic Network for Corporate Social Responsibility. Alpha
Bank was represented by the Head of the Corporate Social
Responsibility Eleftheria Patakaki and the Advisor to the
Management Compliance Division George Triantafyllopoulos.
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The 18th Nursery School of Xanthi visits our Xanthi Branch
I
n the context of the Bank’s social contribution activities,
together with parents and little schoolchildren, who had the
the 18th Nursery School of Xanthi visited our Xanthi
opportunity to see how banking transactions are carried out.
Branch in order to deposit a token donation in coins to the
In particular, the Branch Personnel informed the children
bank account of the voluntary non-profit organisation “THE
about the way in which the amount deposited will reach the
SMILE OF THE CHILD”. The visiting delegation comprised
beneficiary Organisation and about the value of savings.
the Head of the Nursery School and the school’s teachers,
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Ionian Hotel Enterprises
Ordinary General Meeting
O
n Tuesday, June 17, 2014, the Ordinary General Meeting of
the Shareholders of the Group Company Ionian Hotel Enterprises
took place at the meeting room of the third floor of the Bank’s
Main Building in Athens.
Snapshot of the Ordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders
of the Group Company Ionian Hotel Enterprises.
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Alpha Astika Akinita
Ordinary General Meeting
O
n Tuesday, June 17, 2014, the Ordinary General Meeting of the
Shareholders of the Group Company Alpha Astika Akinita took
place at the meeting room of the third floor of the Bank’s Main Building
in Athens.
Snapshot of the Ordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders of the
Group Company Alpha Astika Akinita.
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Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd
The Bank sponsors awards for the top students of the University of Cyprus
C
ontinuing its long-standing support of the University of Cyprus, Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd this
year was again the sponsor of financial awards for the University’s top students, which
were presented in the respective graduation and award presentation ceremonies. In particular,
awards were presented to the top students of the School of Philosophy, the School of Economic
Sciences and Administration and the School of Applied Science. In addition, this year, marked
the first award for “Creative Research and Innovation”, which was presented to a postdoctoral
student of the Polytechnic School. The awards were presented to the students by the Managing
Director of Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd George Georgiou.
Snapshot from the graduation ceremony.
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Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd supports the event “Music at the Park 2”
A
lpha Bank Cyprus Ltd supported an event entitled “Music at the Park 2”, which was
organised on June 26, 2014 from the “Friends of Nicosia” Association, together with Nicosia
Municipality, on the occasion of World Music Day.
During the event, attendants had the opportunity to enjoy the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra,
the Cyprus Music Academy Opera, the Police Philharmonic Orchestra as well as other kinds of
music. The need to repair and re-operate the Nicosia Municipal Theatre, build the new Cypriot
Museum and regenerate the Municipal gardens, were some of the topics raised by the event.
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Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd
Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd supports the 7th Corporate Social Responsibility Conference and Exhibition
A
lpha Bank was one of the sponsors of the 7th
successfully incorporated Corporate Social Responsibility in
Corporate Social Responsibility Conference and
their strategies and which provide products and services with
Exhibition, which took place at Nicosia’s Hilton Park hotel,
corporate responsibility in mind. The Conference was
on Friday, July 4, 2014. This year, the Conference aimed to
attended by Employees, Customers and associates of the
highlight the need to modernise the Corporate Business
Bank, who also had the opportunity to become familiar with
Model to support businesses, in their efforts for survival and
the Corporate Social Responsibility actions and initiatives of
sustainable growth. Conference participants had the
Alpha Bank Cyprus Ltd.
opportunity to interact with thriving businesses which have
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Alpha Welcome Pack
A
dynamic advertising campaign was launched to promote Alpha Welcome
Pack – an introduction package designed for new Customers to the Bank
and comprising a sight account, a debit card and connection to the Alpha
Express Banking service for electronic transactions. Other privileges offered
with the package include discounts in banking services and transactions,
together with additional rewards in the event that the Customer also opens a
term deposit, with a view to providing an improved Customer service and to
building closer and comprehensive Customer relations. The Alpha Welcome
Pack was promoted via TV and radio spots, as well as through advertisements
in the Press, on selected websites and on billboards.
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Alpha Bank Romania
Distinction of Alpha Bank Romania
A
t the “Top Bankers Gala” event held on Tuesday, June 24,
2014, Alpha Bank Romania was presented with the prize for
the “Lowest NPL ratio” by FINMEDIA, a-well known Romanian
financial media company. The 7th edition of the event highlighted
the performances of the most important banking institutions in
Romania during 2013 in various banking activity areas.
The prize was received, on behalf of the Bank, by the Executive
President of Alpha Bank Romania Sergiu Oprescu.
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Participation of Alpha Bank Romania in two competition events promoting sports and healthy living
“DHL Marathon Carpathian Relay”
O
n Saturday, June 21, 2014, seven (7) Employees from Alpha Bank Romania’s Property
Management Division, participated in the 5th edition of “DHL Marathon Carpathian
Relay”, a charity event addressed to professional runners, companies and the public, and
organised annually in order to raise funds for a charity. This year, the attention was once
again focused on children. The funds raised were donated to the “Save the Children”
Organisation, which implements educational programmes.
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“Companies Running Competition”
O
n Sunday, June 29, 2014, Alpha Bank Romania participated in the first edition of the
“Companies Running Competition”, a sport event held in Bucharest to promote healthy living
through jogging. The event gathered around 300 runners, employees and representatives of 70
companies in Bucharest. The participants were able to run individual or team races of about 6 km
within a Bucharest Park.
Alpha Bank Romania was represented by nine (9) Employees from various Divisions, winning
second place in the men’s team race.
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Alpha Bank Srbija a.d.
Alpha Bank Srbija a.d. sponsors the exhibition: “Greek seas: A photographic journey in time”
F
rom June 12 to June 24, 2014, the photographic exhibition “Greek
Seas: A photographic journey in time” was presented in the exhibition
area of the National Bank of Serbia. The Exhibition, which was the final
cultural event organised by the Embassy of Greece in Belgrade during the
Greek Presidency of the EU, was sponsored by Alpha Bank Srbija a.d.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Greece in
Belgrade Mr. Konstantinos Ikonomidis, the President of the Executive
Board of Alpha Bank Srbija a.d. Georgios Papanastasiou, the Deputy
Governor of National Bank of Serbia Mr. Veselin Plescic, the Counsellor of
the Hellenic Foundation for Culture Mr. Nikos Tsitsimelis and the Deputy
Director of European Integration Office Mr. Srdjan Majstorovic.
The Exhibition showcased 70 photographs which covered the period from the second half of the 19th century to the present day. Through
the rich visual material presented, visitors to the Exhibition had the opportunity to experience the link between people and the sea and to
discover the way of life in Greece’s coastal areas and islands.
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Alpha Cash and Alpha Smart Loan
W
ith the key message: “When plans cannot wait” and at the height of the summer season, a
period when consumers face increased needs, an advertising campaign was launched for the
Alpha Cash and Alpha Smart Loan consumer products, via Press, radio, selected websites and
billboards. The two products are characterised by their simple and quick approval procedures and
competitive interest rates, while for a limited period of time they are offered free from disbursement
fees.
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Alpha Bank a.d. Skopje
Alpha Bank a.d. Skopje launches the new Enter American Express® card
A
lpha Bank a.d. Skopje, the exclusive partner of American Express in the
country, has launched the new Enter American Express card. This innovative
new product is securely linked to the cardholder’s bank account, offering financial
control together with privileges in everyday purchases, such as special cashback
at selected merchants. The Card also provides access to the “Selects”
programme, an online platform where Enter American Express cardholders can
choose from hundreds of specially selected local and global offers.
The Enter American Express card offers safe, quick, easy and convenient shopping
in the country and abroad, safe online purchases and substantial discounts and
privileges.
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The Era of Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco):
Late Renaissance in Crete and the Origins of Modern Greek Literature
in the Alpha Bank Library Collection
Theotokopoulos’ signature.
T
he year 2014 has been declared the year of El Greco on
Two other excellent painters, Georgios Klontzas and Michael
the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the death of the
Damaskenos, were contemporary with Theotokopoulos and, like him,
great Cretan painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos (1541-1614).
they were initiated into the Byzantine tradition and at the same time
The celebration of the year of El Greco is accompanied by a
assimilated in a creative way elements of Western European Art. It
series of events and exhibitions which will take place in various
was Theotokopoulos, though, who managed to go beyond not only
Greek cities, the first among which is his birthplace, Iraklio, where
the geographical borders but also the cultural boundaries of his era.
an Exhibition on the artist’s Italian Period is mounted at the
The Greek edition of the monograph El Greco by J. Gudiol
Historical Museum of Crete.
(Commercial Bank of Greece, Athens, 1990), which has been offered
The art of Domenikos Theotokopoulos originated and evolved in
since February and throughout 2014 at a discount of 40% for the
the Renaissance environment prevailing in Candia, as Iraklio and
Bank Personnel at the “ALPHA BANK – CULTURE store”, is one of
the whole of Crete, which was under Venetian rule, were then
the numerous editions on Theotokopoulos’ life and work.
called. He came from a bourgeois family of Iraklio, acquired a rich
The Alpha Bank Library Collection includes a sufficient number of
humanitarian education and studied under the best painters in
books on Domenikos Theotokopoulos and post-Byzantine art in
Crete. Thus, he had already achieved the status of maestro
Crete (in order to view the relevant titles, press here – available in
(master) before leaving for Venice in 1567.
Greek only).
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The Late Renaissance in Crete was the fruit of a long
Greek and was both well received and adapted many times for
interaction between two cultures which coexisted on the
popular plays. According to Kostis Palamas, Erofili marked the
island and not only affected painting but also expanded to
beginning of the Modern Greek Theatre.
and embraced all aspects of cultural and spiritual life,
following the example of the West.
While the Elizabethan theatre prevailed in England, with
Shakespeare as its main representative, and Cervantes wrote
Don Quixote in Spain, the first novel of this kind in Europe,
Cretan literature reached its highest level of maturity through
dramatic works in verse pertaining to all literary genres:
comedy, tragedy, pastoral drama, religious drama, pastoral
poetry and romantic epic.
The heyday of Cretan literature spans the late 16th century
up to the occupation of the island by the Ottomans in 1669.
The Library Collection includes representative works of this
period as well as posterior essays (in order to view the
relevant titles, press here – available in Greek only).
Although these works were written in the Cretan dialect, they
affected Modern Greek Literature to a significant extent.
Georgios Chortatzis’ Erofili (written approximately in 1600),
inspired from the Italian classicist tragedy Orbecche by
G. Battista Giraldi Cinthio (1549), was the first tragedy,
preserved until nowadays, which was written in modern
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St. Luke.
Toledo, Cathedral
(in J. Gudiol, El Greco, 1990, fig. 298)
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Erotokritos, written between 1590 and 1610 by Vitsentzos
and combined the Byzantine popular tradition with elements of
Kornaros (1553-1613/1614), constitutes a separate literary
the Italian Renaissance. The work first ran in manuscripts and
genre, that of the romantic epic. Although it is considered to
only a century later, in 1713, it was printed for the first time in
be based on an Italian adaptation of the French medieval novel
Venice, at the printing house of Antonio Bortoli. The only copy
Paris et Vienne by Pierre de la Cypède (1487), Kornaros
in Greece of this first publication can be found today at
adapted the plot to the Renaissance environment of his time
Gennadius Library.
The Penitent Magdalene, 1579-1586. Oil on canvas, 1.04 x 0.85 m
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City
(in J. Gudiol, El Greco, 1990, fig. 87)
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Erotokritos became part of the Greek popular tradition
while another artist, the unforgettable Nikos Xilouris, a master
and apart from literature it also inspired painters and
of traditional music, set Kornaros’ verses into music and tuned
musicians. The popular painter, Theophilos, often drew
our souls to his Cretan lyre.
inspiration from the theme of Erotokritos and Arethusa,
The Baptism of Christ, 1608-1614. Oil on canvas, 3.30 x 2.11 m
Toledo, Hospital de San Juan Bautista
(in J. Gudiol, El Greco, 1990, fig. 242)
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Erotokritos dynamics and its contribution to poetry have been perspicuously elaborated by Giorgos Seferis in his
same-name essay.
“…it is the verse that came closer than any other rhythm to the deeper cadence of our speech…
The Cretan Renaissance, before sinking in the sea of time, gave two fruits that would be sufficient to honour places far
greater than this island. An impressive personality, Theotokopoulos; and this fifteen-syllable verse…
And whereas Theotokopoulos’ art remained inside the churches of Spain to be rediscovered much later by the enlightened
when time was ripe, the Cretan fifteen-syllable verse circulated amongst the maidservants until Solomos heard it…
Modern Greek poetry starts with the Cretan Renaissance.”
Free rendering of excerpts from G. Seferis Dokimes (Essays) Vol. 1
(Ikaros Publishing Company 2003, 8th edition pp. 298-9)
The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, 1586. Oil on canvas, 4.80 x 3.60 m
Detail (presumed self-portrait of the artist)
Toledo, Church of Santo Tomé
(in J. Gudiol, El Greco, 1990, fig. 105)
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Theophilos: Erotokritos and Arethusa. 1910
Volos, Wall painting in the bakery of Velentzas (1.34 x 0.75 m)
(in Y. Tsarouchis, Theophilos, 1966, fig. 43)
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“Mazi”, the monthly electronic publication of the Group’s internal communication, is now
available on the Alpha Bank website (www.alpha.gr).
In June, 2014, the conservation and
protection activities for the bust of
poet Jean Moréas (Yannis
Papadiamantopoulos) completed, as
part of the activities under the
programme “The defacements that
hurt”. The bust was moved to the
Municipal Gallery of Athens and has
been replaced by a bronze replica.
In the context of the Bank’s
ongoing collaboration with the
Greek non-governmental
organisation “SOS Children’s
Villages”, donation events for
collecting school and food
supplies have been scheduled
for Saturday, September
27, 2014, in Athens,
Thessaloniki and Patras.
The Bank is sponsoring the
installation of “POSEIDON”, the
3.90m-high, stainless steel
emblematic work by
Greek sculpture George
Zongolopoulos, in the surrounding
area of the new building of the
School of Public Health at the
George Washington University,
Washington, D.C. (U.S.A.).
The Head Office Building of Alpha Bank Srbija a.d. participates in
“Museums Night”
In the context of the 11th “Museums Night”, held in Serbia, on June 7, 2014,
21,000 persons visited only the city of Belgrade. The Head Office Building of
Alpha Bank Srbija a.d. which participated in the event, welcomed more than
1,500 visitors. Furthermore, a charity action took place with the aim of
supporting the flood-stricken of the country.
“POSEIDON” will be unveiled in an
official ceremony to be held under
the auspices of the President of the
George Washington University on
October 1, 2014. The ceremony is
expected to be attended by eminent members of the Greek
community in the U.S.A. as well as by Curators from major
museums, distinguished personalities from art and culture,
academics etc.
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Mazi
We wish you a Happy Summer!