Athina Chatzipetrou, CEO at Hellenic Development Bank (HBD) on the Impact and the Future of HBD in Greece
Athina Chatzipetrou, CEO at Hellenic Development Bank (HBD) shared her vision on the Impact and the Future of HBD in Greece where she presented their transformation and the lessons they learned along the way.
Digitalization and internal transformation
The HDB is a key source of financing for Greek SMEs and banks, that as it is able to assume business risk normally not taken by commercial banks. During the Covid-19 pandemic, it underwent a rapid transformation.
“We act fast, but we use technology as a catalyst.”
They designed and implemented two modern, effective financial instruments, reforming the “Entrepreneurship Fund II” and presenting the “Covid-19 Business Guarantee Fund”, significantly amplifying the available public funds.
Today, the HDB continues to intervene decisively with targeted and innovative programs and partnerships covering the needs of Greek companies, facilitating access to sources of funding while paving the way for sustainable development.
Until May 2021, HDB has approved more than 100,000 loans worth upwards of €14 billion. Impact study from 2020. states that HDB has:
• empowered more than 230,000 employees
• supported 200,000 thousand jobs
• contributed €6+ billion to Greek GDP
The uptick in attracting foreign direct investment that started in 2020 has continued during this year. It is clear that FDI, alongside Greek capital, and smart management will be crucial in order to accelerate economic growth and bridge the investment gap.
Find out more in Athina’s full Keynote Speech on the link below or on the FTE Official Youtube Channel.
Athina Chatzipetrou – The Hellenic Development Bank (HDB) – FTE Investor Summit 2021 in Greece
Athina Chatzipetrou is the CEO and President of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Development Bank SA, which promotes fair, sustainable, and holistic economic development at the regional and national levels by facilitating SMEs’ access to finance.
Since March 2020 and during her leadership, the Hellenic Development Bank has handled in excess of 8 billion euros in loans, while starting with only 280 million euros. Moreover, more than 35,000 new loans have been granted during the same period, contributing to the creation of more than 15,600 new jobs. With almost 30 years’ experience in the corporate sector of leading positions and successes in diverse assignments and sectors, she carries a long and deep experience in financial management, including highest-level interactions with counterparties internationally.
Among her previous roles, she has served as Regional Finance Manager at Coca-Cola Hellas, Finance Director at Beiersdorf Hellas, and Group CFO of Toyota Group in Greece. Ms Chatzipetrou has also served as Finance Advisor at the Ministry of Development and Competitiveness, Resident Advisor both at the Netherlands enterprise agency (RVO) as well as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and as President of the BoD and CEO of the Archaeological Resources Fund.
