State loan payments resume on Jan 25

The payment of the fifth stage of the cheap state loans program known as the "Deposit To Be Returned" will begin on Monday, January 25, 10 days after the deadline for application submissions this Friday.

However, speaking on Tuesday on Mega TV, Finance Minister Christos Staikouras did not rule out a few days' extension, explaining that this would happen if it turns out there is a significant number of potential recipients who are yet to apply. The minister added that some 400,000 stand to benefit from the fifth stage of the program, while only 211,000 applications have been made to date.

The funds to be disbursed are estimated at 1.5 billion euros and will be credited to the recipients' bank accounts by the end of the month, following checks by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue.

Just as in the fourth phase, half of the loans issued will be in the...