The Stock Market in the crosshairs of political uncertainty, the party is over — Banks should stop complaining about ATMs

Today we focus on two key issues:
1. The Greek Stock Market is under the hostage of political uncertainty.
2. Banks should not complain about the ATMs, which total 6,160 across Greece.

The Greek Stock Market under the hostage of political uncertainty

The Greek stock market will no longer attract investors.
We had already analysed in good time that the upgrade by FTSE Russell to “developed market” status, effective 21 September 2026, would have no substantial impact on the market.
Likewise, the expected upgrade by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), expected in March or May 2027, will also have no significant effect, not only because of the balance of inflows and outflows that will result from the change in classification from “emerging” to “developed” market, but also because a new factor has entered investors’ calculations.
The Greek Stock Market is now under the hostage of political uncertainty.
Investors increasingly see that the scenario of single-party majority rule is over, and they also see that a third Mitsotakis term is not guaranteed.
As uncertainty increases and political visibility decreases, investors will be reluctant to take risks.
According to Bankingnews’ baseline scenario, the New Democracy party will come first, followed by a Tsipras-led formation in second place, and PASOK in third.
Let’s be realistic: the Greek stock market did not reach 2,083 points because of Greek investors, but thanks to American funds, flush with liquidity and seeking opportunities.
However, the party on the Athens Stock Exchange is over, and what we will see in 2026 will be a smaller-scale rise compared with 2025.
At the beginning of 2025, the Greek Stock Market stood at 1,450 points, and has now reached 2,100 points, a rise of roughly 45%.
If, in 2026, the market rises by around 25%, that should be regarded as a success, meaning a target level of 2,650 points.

Banks should stop complaining about the ATMs — There are 6,160 across Greece

We observe ongoing complaints among the banks concerning fees and the way ATMs operate.
Let’s start with the basics.
In Greece, there are 6,160 bank ATMs, and some of them have even been sold to foreign companies.
Wrongly so.
The foreign firms that purchased the ATMs now complain that, because of the new fee policy rightly imposed by the government, they are no longer profitable.
The answer is simple:
Greek banks should never have sold the ATMs. Greek banks are fully capable of financially supporting a large number of ATMs, especially when they are achieving profits of €4.6 billion.
Let’s be realistic. The sale of ATMs to foreign entities was the wrong approach and policy, and the banks must bear the cost.

www.bankingnews.gr