The head of one of Greece’s four systemic lenders, Alpha Bank, on Thursday allayed fears that the Brexit vote will have “significant” negative effects on the still recession-prone Greek economy.
Alpha Bank chairman Vassilis Rapanos, a well-known economist and banking executive, said “possible negative effects” will be negligible.
His statements came after the president of rival National Bank, Louka Katseli, forecast that the UK vote result will be a “source of instability” for the Greek economy.
In addressing an annual general shareholders’ meeting, Rapanos said “we hope a way will be soon be found for a smooth exit process, in order to limit any negative consequences on economic activity”.
He also predicted a continued overall recession in Greece for 2016, while merely echoing government and other banking sector officials’ forecast of a return to marginal growth in the second half of the year.
