CrediaBank’s planned takeover of HSBC Malta could deliver value for minority shareholders, according to a spokesperson for the bank.

In comments to Who’sWho, the bank pushed back against speculation that minority shareholders could get a bad deal. Earlier this week financial commentator Paul Bonello warned that Maltese minority shareholders will be watching closely to ensure they do not lose out, cautioning CrediaBank that any perception of a “smart Greek deal” at their expense could sour relations from the outset.

The Greek lender is in the process of finalising the acquisition and has dismissed speculation about the eventual share price, insisting the deal will benefit shareholders, customers, employees and Malta’s economy in the longer term.

CrediaBank was formed through the merger of Attica Bank and Pancreta Bank, which had previously acquired HSBC Greece. It is now the fifth-largest bank in Greece, with 65 branches and total assets strengthened by a €735 million recapitalisation led by Thrivest Holdings, which holds a 55 per cent stake, alongside the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund and the Hellenic Corporation for Assets and Participations.

The bank has cut its non-performing exposures to 2.9 per cent, the lowest in Greece, and returned to profitability, reporting €44 million in recurring profits in 2024. In Q1 2025, it accounted for 13.5 per cent of net credit expansion in the Greek market.

If the Maltese acquisition goes ahead, CrediaBank expects the combined entity’s assets to total €15.3 billion, with a loan book of €7.3 billion.