Basic Information
National Bank of Greece S.A. (NBG) is a long-established commercial bank deeply rooted in the economic lifeblood of Greece. It is neither fully state-owned nor a joint venture, but a market-oriented listed bank with both public and private shareholder backgrounds. As the backbone of the Greek financial system, NBG provides a wide range of services to individuals, businesses and even the government with a reputation for robustness and innovation.
Name & Background
The full name is National Bank of Greece S.A., founded in 1841, it is one of the oldest banks in Greece, headquartered in Athens. The bank has witnessed the tortuous development of Greece from modern times to modern times, and can be called the "living fossil" of the financial world. NBG is listed on the Athens Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ETE, and its main shareholders include the Greek government's partial stake through the Financial Stability Fund (HFSF), as well as global institutional investors and private shareholders, presenting a mixed state-owned and private ownership structure. Its deep background makes it an irreplaceable position in the Greek financial market.
Scope of Services
NBG's service network is centered in Greece and radiates to Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean region. Although its international business has contracted in recent years, it still retains branches in Cyprus, Albania, and other regions. As of the latest data, NBG has about 350 offline outlets in Greece, covering urban and remote areas, and about 2,000 ATMs across the country, which is convenient for customers to withdraw money and handle business at any time. For customers who rely on traditional banking services, NBG has the highest branch density and ATM coverage in Greece.
Regulation & Compliance
NBG is regulated by both the Bank of Greece and the European Central Bank (ECB) and strictly follows the EU's financial regulatory framework. As a member of the Hellenic Deposit and Investment Guarantee Fund (TEKE), customer deposits up to €100,000 are fully protected, boosting depositors' confidence. In recent years, NBG has demonstrated a strong compliance performance and no major breaches, but it has been subject to routine regulatory scrutiny due to historical issues, all of which have been properly resolved, demonstrating its commitment to transparency and compliance.
Financial health NBG's financial metrics reflect its solid recovery in the post-crisis era. The capital adequacy ratio (CET1) is around 15%, which is higher than the EU regulatory requirements, indicating that it is more resilient to risks. The non-performing loan ratio (NPL) has fallen to about 5% from more than 40% at the peak of the European debt crisis, thanks to asset clean-up and economic recovery. The Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) remains above 120%, indicating ample short-term liquidity. Overall, NBG's financial health is reassuring and suitable for customers looking for a stable bank.
Deposit & Loan Products
Deposits: NBG offers a wide range of deposit products, with low interest rates on current accounts (about 0.01%-0.05%) and fixed deposits (1-3 years) between 0.5% and 1.5%, depending on the amount and term. Its featured products include the "i-bank savings account", which combines online management with a slightly higher yield (about 1%), as well as large certificates of deposit, which is suitable for conservative savers.
Loans: The mortgage interest rate is 3%-5% (fixed or floating), the down payment is required to be 20%-30%, and the approval focuses on credit history and income stability. The interest rate on car loans is about 5%-7%, and the term is flexible (1-5 years). Personal lines of credit have higher interest rates (8%-12%), but the thresholds are relatively relaxed. NBG also offers early repayment and installment adjustment options for added flexibility.
List of common fees
NBG's account management fees vary from product to product, with no monthly fee for the basic current account, but a minimum balance (approximately €100) is maintained, otherwise €2-5/month may be charged. Domestic transfers are free of charge, with cross-border transfers (within SEPA) costing around €1-3 per session and up to €15-30 in non-SEPA transfers. ATM interbank withdrawals are about 2 euros per transaction, and the overdraft rate is about 15% per annum. Hidden fee reminder: Some accounts may face additional service fees if they are not bound to fixed deposits or investment products, so customers are advised to consult in detail before signing the contract.
Digital service experience
NBG's mobile banking app (i-bank) and online banking platform have been well received in the Greek market, with a rating of about 4.5 stars on the App Store and 4.3 stars on Google Play. Core features include real-time transfers, bill payments, deposit management, and portfolio tracking, with some services supporting facial recognition logins. The highlights of its technological innovation are AI-powered customer service chatbots that can handle common problems, as well as initial robo-advisory tools to recommend low-risk wealth management products. NBG also supports open banking APIs to facilitate access to third-party fintech applications and improve user experience.
Quality of customer service
NBG offers 24/7 phone support (+30 210 484 8484), live chat response times are usually less than 5 minutes, and social media (e.g. X and Facebook) respond quickly, which is popular with young customers. The complaint rate is among the lowest to medium levels in the Greek banking industry, with an average resolution time of about 3-7 working days and a user satisfaction score of about 80%. For cross-border customers, NBG provides English and some other European language services, but non-English support is limited, and international users are advised to confirm in advance.
Safety and security measures
In terms of fund security, NBG participates in the deposit insurance program to protect deposits up to €100,000. Anti-fraud technology includes real-time transaction monitoring and two-factor authentication (SMS OTP+device binding) to effectively reduce the risk of fraud. In terms of data security, NBG has passed ISO 27001 certification, which shows that its information security management system is up to standard. No major data breaches have been reported in recent years, but customers still need to be wary of external threats such as phishing emails.
Featured Services and Differentiation
NBG has launched differentiated products for market segments: student accounts are exempted from management fees and small overdraft lines are provided; Exclusive wealth management products for the elderly focus on low-risk bonds and high-dividend stocks; In terms of green finance, NBG supports ESG investment funds to cater to environmentally conscious clients. High-net-worth clients can enjoy NBG's private banking services, with an entry threshold of around €500,000, providing customized asset management and tax planning, and the quality of services is among the best in the region.
Market position and accolades
NBG is one of the largest banks in Greece by assets, with total assets of around €70 billion in 2024, ranking among the top 200 banks in the world (The Banker data). Its domestic market share is firmly in the top three, especially in the retail banking sector. In recent years, NBG has received numerous awards, including the "Best Digital Bank in Greece" award from Euromoney in 2023 and the "Most Sustainable Bank" award from Global Finance in 2024, highlighting its commitment to innovation and social responsibility.
