What are the key trends that you are tracking in the market currently?
The securities services industry is no longer a quiet corner of finance. It is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by technology, regulation, and shifting investor priorities.
Digitalisation is not simply a trend; it is redefining the custodian model from the ground up. For Piraeus Bank, this means a relentless focus on automation, straight-through processing, and operational resilience, initiatives that reduce risk while accelerating settlement cycles.
The securities services industry is no longer a quiet corner of finance. It is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by technology, regulation, and shifting investor priorities.Digitalisation is not simply a trend; it is redefining the custodian model from the ground up. For Piraeus Bank, this means a relentless focus on automation, straight-through processing, and operational resilience, initiatives that reduce risk while accelerating settlement cycles.
But the real disruptor is the rise of digital assets. Institutional investors are expanding beyond traditional securities into private equity, infrastructure, and tokenised assets. This evolution demands custody solutions that are as secure and sophisticated as those for equities and bonds. Piraeus is actively building the frameworks, both technological and regulatory, to deliver institutional-grade custody for these emerging asset classes. The goal is clear: to ensure clients can navigate this new frontier with confidence.
Piraeus has been recognised internationally for innovation in this space, and we continue to invest in digitising operations, automating transaction flows, and reducing operational risk.
How have client expectations evolved in the last five years? And how are you manoeuvring your service offering to meet those needs?
How have client expectations evolved in the last five years? And how are you manoeuvring your service offering to meet those needs?
Custody has shifted from a transactional service to a strategic enabler. Today’s clients expect real-time access to data, customisable reporting, and seamless integration with their investment platforms. They want transparency, speed and the ability to monitor portfolios across multiple jurisdictions and asset classes, all in real time.
ESG considerations have added another layer of complexity. Sustainability is no longer a niche concern; it is embedded in investment mandates. Piraeus has responded by integrating ESG metrics into its custody reporting, enabling clients to track environmental and social performance alongside financial returns. This capability is becoming a differentiator as investors seek to align portfolios with global sustainability standards.
The evolution of client expectations over the past five years has been dramatic. What was once a value-add, speed, transparency, digital access, is now the baseline. The institutions that thrive will be those that anticipate the next wave of client demands and deliver solutions before they become mainstream.
Could you speak to the bank’s strategy around technology and where you have deployed solutions to improve the client experience?
Could you speak to the bank’s strategy around technology and where you have deployed solutions to improve the client experience?
For Piraeus Bank, technology is not a support function; it is the core of the strategy. The bank has rebuilt its custody infrastructure to deliver true straight-through processing, minimising manual intervention and reducing settlement risk. Advanced client platforms now provide real-time portfolio visibility, transaction monitoring, and personalised reporting, all designed to integrate seamlessly with clients’ internal systems.
The next frontier is intelligence. Piraeus is deploying AI and cloud-based analytics to generate predictive insights, automate reconciliation, and enhance regulatory reporting. A real-time custody dashboard is in development, alongside tools that embed ESG data directly into client workflows. These innovations are not incremental, they represent a fundamental reimagining of what custody can deliver: not just operational efficiency, but strategic value.
How is Piraeus Bank differentiating itself in the market?
How is Piraeus Bank differentiating itself in the market?
Piraeus Bank differentiates itself through the strength of its relationships, its expertise, and its leadership. Our innovation agenda is not just about modernisation; it’s about setting benchmarks for the region and aligning with global best practices. We design custody and asset servicing solutions around the specific needs of each client; we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our international recognition, most recently with the Global Custodian Award for Client Service & Relationship Management in 2025, testifies to the excellence of our people. At Piraeus, our teams combine local insight with international experience to deliver high-quality service to institutional clients across borders.
Piraeus also holds a unique position in shaping the development of our market. Our executives play leading roles in organisations such as ATHEX, Sswift, and Bank of Greece committees. This influence ensures that Piraeus is not only adapting to change but helping to drive it.
This combination of tailored solutions, trusted service, and strategic leadership sets Piraeus Bank apart in an increasingly competitive environment.
How do you view the push to create a more consolidated Europe, with the view to improving competitiveness with other regions?
How do you view the push to create a more consolidated Europe, with the view to improving competitiveness with other regions?
Market consolidation in Europe is no longer a theoretical debate; it is an economic imperative. Fragmentation has long been a structural weakness, creating inefficiencies in settlement, regulation, and cross-border investment. A more integrated European market promises harmonisation, lower costs, and greater investor confidence, while providing a stronger platform for innovation.
The potential integration of the Athens Stock Exchange into Euronext illustrates the scale of this opportunity. For Greece, it would be transformative: boosting liquidity, elevating visibility for issuers, and attracting global capital. For Piraeus Bank, it represents a chance to combine deep local expertise with the scale and reach of a European network. The objective is not just efficiency, but value creation ensuring that integration delivers tangible benefits for investors and issuers alike.
Yet consolidation must be balanced with local agility. Harmonisation cannot come at the expense of market nuance. Institutions with strong local knowledge will remain essential in translating European-scale initiatives into practical, client-focused solutions. This is where Piraeus sees its competitive edge: bridging European ambition with local insight.
What are Piraeus Bank’s strategic priorities for the next three years?
What are Piraeus Bank’s strategic priorities for the next three years?
The next three years will be pivotal. Piraeus Bank’s strategy is anchored on three priorities: consolidating leadership in custody, expanding into alternative and digital assets, and embedding ESG at the core of its offering. Significant investment is flowing into AI, cybersecurity, and automation to future-proof operations and deliver next-generation client experiences.
Beyond custody, the acquisition of National Insurance and the rapid growth of Piraeus Asset Management will materially increase assets under custody and diversify revenue streams. These moves reinforce the bank’s leadership position while creating a platform for sustained growth.
Ultimately, our ambition is to move beyond the role of service provider. Piraeus Bank wants to be a true strategic partner, supporting the growth, resilience, and innovation of our clients in a rapidly changing securities services environment, and contributing to the integration and competitiveness of Europe’s financial markets.