Head of Bancpost's retail: Last two years have been my exam as a manager and I have passed it

Autor: Razvan Voican 04.04.2011

"First Home" mortgage loans, refinancing of consumer loans and credit cards are strategic priorities for Bancpost's retail segment this year, says Kyriakos Xydis, executive vice-president in charge of this business segment.

"Irrespective of the manner in which the state supports the "First Home" scheme, we have put together our own product - Prima casă Bancpost (First Home Bancpost), whose price consists of three-month EURIBOR plus a 4.9% margin, to which nothing more is added. We want to be among the few banks that allow clients that have already submitted applications for the previous version of the government scheme to get the funding they want. We are analysing 300 applications, and, depending on how successful this offer will be, we will extend it. "

Xydis, 45, says he is proud that retail brings over 70% of the bank's revenues, but admits things need to be balanced out as far as the corporate division is concerned.

He notes several changes in the client profile as a result of the crisis of the last two years: they are more rational, more educated, more careful when they apply for funding.

Xydis sees the last couple of years as a genuine management test. "It has been a very difficult exam for me as a manager, but I would say I have passed it. I will put this in my CV," the banker says jokingly.