Optima bank, headquartered in Marousi (Athens), Greece, traces its roots to the Investment Bank of Greece (IBG), founded in 2000. The IBG underwent various mergers and acquisitions and was acquired by Ireon Investments Ltd. (a subsidiary of Motor Oil [Hellas] Corinth Refineries SA). In 2019, the bank was rebranded as Optima bank. In short order, Optima bank added its own subsidiaries: Optima asset management M.F.M.C., Optima factors and Optima leasing.
Optima bank not only possesses a full banking license but is also listed on the Athens Stock Exchange (ATHEX). It offers its customers services that facilitate strategic investments on domestic and international markets. The bank has grown impressively during its first few years, accruing billions in assets while chalking up healthy net profits. Customer deposits continue to soar, a strong indication of the bank’s popularity. With the bank employing a personalized “phygital” approach that blends physical with digital services, its customers experience the best of both worlds. Businesses turn to the bank to fulfill their credit needs, appreciating Optima bank’s streamlined loan-approval process, with the bank leveraging technology to optimize its risk-assessment procedures. Within the Greek business community, the bank has earned a reputation of being a partner committed to boosting entrepreneurial progress.
True to its name, Optima bank’s vision is to offer the optimum banking experience to each of its customers. It strives to be simple, flexible and contemporary while earning its customers’ trust. The bank has won many awards that have acknowledged its achievements in areas such as innovation, investment management, private banking and customer service.
International Banker was pleased to learn more about Optima bank’s progress and plans during our interview with the bank’s chief executive officer, Mr. Dimitris Kyparissis.
Mr. Dimitris Kyparissis, Chief Executive Officer, Optima bank
Mr. Kyparissis, it’s a pleasure to have you with us today….
Optima bank’s most recent financial results for the first half (H1) of 2025 saw the bank record a net profit of €81.1 million compared to €69.0 million in H1 2024—an increase of 18 percent. To what main factors do you attribute this impressive growth? The bank also posted a stellar 25.8-percent return on tangible equity (ROTE) during the same period. Again, what were the underlying factors behind this strong profitability performance?
Our strong performance in the first half of 2025 was the result of disciplined execution across all strategic pillars. The expansion of our loan portfolio, a robust net interest margin (NIM) and effective cost management all contributed to this outcome. Our cost-to-income ratio of 25 percent remains the best in our market and among the strongest in Europe, reflecting our operational excellence. The 25.8-percent ROTE is a clear indicator of our ability to generate sustainable value and maintain stakeholder trust. This performance is not a coincidence; it is the product of prudent risk management, long-term planning and the tireless efforts of our people, who continuously seek ways to optimize every process and enhance the customer experience.
H1 also saw customer deposits increase by €1.5 billion to €5.2 billion—a remarkable 40-percent increase year-on-year. What does such a strong growth rate say about how customers regard Optima bank’s overall service? And is a specific product and/or service driving much of this deposit growth?
This growth in deposits is a powerful endorsement of the trust our customers place in Optima bank. It reflects their confidence in our stability, service quality and long-term commitment. Beyond competitive interest rates, we offer a service experience that is consistently rated among the best in the market. We have invested significantly in creating an environment that combines efficiency with genuine care. Our Net Promoter Score (NPS), consistently above 80, confirms that our customers not only appreciate our products but also the human element behind them. In just a few years, we have built a reputation as a reliable banking partner that supports both individuals and businesses with integrity and dedication.
As I understand it, Optima bank was recently assigned its first credit rating by Moody’s, which awarded a Ba1 long-term deposit rating with a stable outlook. Are you happy with this rating? And what benefits can the bank now expect to enjoy after having been assigned this rating?
We are pleased with Moody’s initial rating, which confirms the strength of our fundamentals and our sound strategy. It marks a milestone in our development, enhancing transparency and credibility with our international partners and investors. As we continue to expand and reinforce our market position, we are confident that this rating will improve further. For us, it represents not just recognition but also an opportunity to access funding on more competitive terms and broaden our reach across markets.
I understand that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent a sizeable share of Optima bank’s overall client base. What are some of the most important or popular customized lending solutions that you offer to this particular client segment? And what would you say is the single most important reason why SMEs choose to bank with Optima bank vis-à-vis your competitors?
Our client base is primarily composed of medium and large enterprises with annual revenues above €2.5 million. These businesses choose Optima bank for three main reasons: speed, flexibility and adaptability. We have streamlined our internal processes to deliver swift and efficient lending decisions. Our relationship managers take the time to understand each client’s specific business model and needs, ensuring that every proposal is customized to their objectives. This personal, responsive approach has earned us the reputation of being not just a bank, but also a trusted partner that supports growth and entrepreneurship practically and proactively.
How is the bank deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately assess the creditworthiness of certain business customers? Can you provide more insight into how this process works? Are you satisfied with the capability of the bank’s information technology (IT) infrastructure for such tasks—for example, its data-processing and analytics capabilities?
We are actively integrating artificial intelligence into our front-line operations, particularly in the loan-origination process. AI leverages both internal and external data sources to automatically generate loan proposals, ensuring consistency and reducing processing time. This helps our relationship managers focus on the advisory aspect rather than administrative tasks. From the beginning, investment in technology has been a cornerstone of our strategy, enabling us to build advanced infrastructure that supports rapid decision-making and risk assessment. As technology evolves, we continue to adapt and expand our capabilities, ensuring that our systems remain at the forefront of modern banking.
One of the bank’s key strategies to position itself as a reliable partner for its clients is to achieve a healthy balance of human expertise and digital convenience. In practice, how does the bank seek to achieve such a balance? Do you anticipate that the bank’s evolution in digital banking might ever come at the expense of human input?
Our approach is “phygital”—a seamless blend of physical and digital experiences. We believe that technology enhances but never replaces human interaction. Every customer begins their journey with a dedicated advisor who understands their goals and provides personalized guidance, while digital tools ensure speed and accessibility. Processes such as account opening, e-banking activation and debit-card issuance can now be completed in 15 minutes with a single digital signature. Our branches are designed to feel welcoming and transparent, with private areas for in-depth discussions. This model allows us to maintain a human-centered experience while leveraging technology to make banking faster, easier and more reliable.
The personalization of products and services for individual customers is emerging as an increasingly prominent trend across the banking sector. How does the bank ensure that the solutions it provides are appropriately and effectively tailored to each customer’s needs? And what specific technologies, if any, support your efforts to achieve a greater degree of personalization?
Personalization at Optima bank begins with attentive listening and the expertise of our relationship managers. They take the time to fully understand each client’s circumstances, ambitions and challenges before crafting bespoke solutions. Our approach combines human insight with digital intelligence—AI tools and analytics help us identify patterns and anticipate needs, but the final touch always comes from human judgment. This ensures that every product or service is meaningful and relevant. Whether managing corporate liquidity or personal investments, our clients experience a relationship built on understanding and trust from their very first visit.
I understand that you offer your customers a broad range of investment and stock-exchange services on Greek and key international markets. Are you satisfied with the range of markets that are currently accessible to your customers? What role, if any, is digitalization playing in improving market accessibility or investing convenience for your customers?
We are fully satisfied with the breadth of markets available to our clients, both domestically and internationally. Digitalization plays a central role in making investment services accessible, transparent and efficient. Through the Optima trader app, our clients can trade online in markets across Europe, Asia and America, view live quotes, access detailed company analyses and build virtual portfolios—all through a secure, user-friendly interface. This platform empowers our clients to make informed decisions while still having the support of our experienced investment advisors whenever needed.
Optima bank also offers its customers a comprehensive private-banking service. What makes Optima’s service in this area superior to that offered by its local banking peers? In your opinion, what is the single most significant quality a bank must possess in order to cultivate strong, long-term customer relationships within private banking?
Our private banking stands out for its personalized approach, transparency and the deep relationships of trust we build with our clients. We focus on understanding the specific needs and long-term objectives of each customer, ensuring that every interaction is meaningful. In my view, the most important qualities in private banking are consistency and reliability. Clients must know that their bank will always stand by them, listening, advising and supporting them through every stage of their financial journeys.
If I’m not mistaken, geopolitical risk continues to play a significant role in shaping the lending environment, both in Greece and across much of Europe. How is Optima bank monitoring and managing those risks at present? What is your own outlook for geopolitical risks over the coming year or so? Do you see them becoming more elevated or more diminished?
Geopolitical risks are inherently unpredictable, yet markets have become more resilient in navigating uncertainty. At Optima bank, we continuously monitor global developments and maintain the flexibility to adjust our strategy accordingly. We focus on building a strong, adaptable organization capable of responding effectively to any challenge. Greece currently benefits from political stability and solid economic momentum, providing a favorable environment for business and investment growth. We remain vigilant and well prepared for any potential volatility that may emerge.
Exterior view of Optima bank’s Kifisia branch
When the bank published its financial results for H1 2025, Mr. Kyparissis, you mentioned that Optima bank remains “focused on navigating an evolving macroeconomic landscape characterized by interest rate normalization”. In practical terms, what are the main avenues through which this navigation is taking place? Do you believe the bank is ideally positioned to withstand or capitalize on the macroeconomic environment in Greece going forward?
Our results demonstrate the resilience and effectiveness of our business model. Despite the gradual decline in interest rates, our strong volume growth continues to outpace the impact on income, allowing us to sustain profitability. We have maintained cost discipline by keeping expense growth well below income growth through targeted investments in technology. This strategic balance ensures both efficiency and scalability. For five consecutive years, Optima bank has achieved the fastest growth rate among listed European banks—clear proof that our model works and is well positioned to capitalize on future opportunities.
What do you view as the bank’s most important objective to be achieved over the next 12–18 months? And what key measures do you expect to take to achieve it?
Our foremost goal is to continue growing market share while maintaining a sound balance sheet, avoiding nonperforming loans and improving service quality through innovation. We remain committed to being a truly “human” and customer-centric bank—the first choice for entrepreneurs, professionals and individuals who value flexibility, speed and trust. Our strategy for the coming period revolves around further digital enhancement, ongoing staff development and maintaining our high service standards. The essence of our vision remains unchanged: delivering the optimum customer experience.
It’s clear that Optima bank is living up to that vision. Thank you again for your time, Mr. Kyparissis.