Cuts in stores and workers to banksthe post -pandemic era has brought the technology developments and the competition from Fintech that attract the new generations of customers.
In the EU in the five years from the end of 2019 until the end of 2024, 26.201 stores were closed and workers in the industry decreased by 112,581. In Greece, in this five -year period, banks – members of the Hellenic Bank Association closed 409 stores (485 if the Banks are also included in the Hellenic Banks’ Union) and bank employees were reduced by brave voluntary exit programs by 9,830 (10,346).
In Greece, at the end of 2024 the network of banking stores was 1,353 from 1,838 on 31/12/2019 and employed 27,388 employees from 37,734 on 31/12/19. Only banks – members of the Hellenic Bank Association had 1,317 stores (525 Attica, 129 Thessaloniki and 663 other territory) from 1,726 to 31/12/19 and 26,833 bank officials from 36,663 respectively.
With the late 2024 data of the Hellenic Bank Association, the picture of the branch network and their bank officials was as follows:
H Piraeus Bank It has the largest network, 368 stores (132 Attica, 36 Thessaloniki Prefecture and 200 other territory) and 6,990 employees. The bank had a network of 527 stores and 10,734 employees on 31/12/2019 and has made the largest store reductions (- 159) and staff (– 3,744) in the five years.
Followed by National Bankwith 318 stores (109 Attica, 29 N. Thessaloniki, 180 other territory) and 6,295 employees. The bank had a network of 389 stores and 8,774 employees on 31/12/2019 and reduced its network by 71 stores and employees by 2,479.
In third place is the Eurobank With 266 stores (130 Attica, 33 N. Thessaloniki, 103 other territory) and 6,065 employees. On 31/12/19 the bank had a network of 350 stores (- 84 since then) and 8,556 employees (- 2,491 today).
Followed by Alpha Bank With 249 stores (104 Attica, 23 N. Thessaloniki, 122 other territory) and 5,363 employees. The bank had a network of 382 stores on 31/12/19 (– 133) and staff of 6,969 people (- 1,606 since then).
In fifth place is the Attica Bank With a network of 86 stores (28 Attica, 5 N. Thessaloniki, 53 other territory) and 1,467 employees followed by Optima Bank with 29 stores (21 Attica, 3 N. Thessaloniki, 5 other territory) and 550 employees and Citibank Europe with 1 store. As far as cooperative banks are concerned, they operate with 33 stores (8 in Attica and 25 in the other territory) and 495 employees.
Attica Bank and Optima Bank have reinforced their physical presence over the last five years, the first with the acquisition of the Pancreatic Bank that had already acquired HSBC Greece, the second organically. At the end of 2019, Attica Bank had 55 stores and 829 staff and today has increased its network by 31 stores and 638 employees. Optima Bank had a network of 7 stores and 283 employees at the end of 2019 and today has an additional 22 stores and 267 employees.