Bailout

Greek private sector bank deposits decreased slightly in September after rising for six successive months, central bank data showed on Tuesday.

Businesses and household deposits dropped to 139.16 billion euros ($154.16 billion) from 139.71 billion in August, Bank of Greece data showed.

Maintaining the cash buffer is among the key priorities of the Public Debt Management Agency (PDMA). This safety cushion now comes to 31 billion euros, half of which originated from the European Stability Mechanism's last bailout tranche, while the rest concerns domestic savings and cash held by state entities.

While the improvement of macroeconomic indicators and the gradual restoration of financial stability are necessary for increasing Greek economy's competitiveness, by themselves they are not enough, and high private debt and continuing distortions in the labor market and commodity markets are weighing heavily on Greek competitiveness, according to this year's competitiveness report by the World

More than a year after Greece exited its bailout programs, investors - in a historic first - have bought its short-term debt at a loss.

The country's debt management agency said Wednesday it raised 487.5 million euros ($535 million) selling 13-week treasury bills, for which the yield was -0.02 percent.

Greece's demonized bailout programs have left behind some positive effects. One such example is the Independent Authority for Public Revenue. The Greek political system had grown used to manipulating the tax authorities.

Greek private sector bank deposits rose in August for the sixth successive month, central bank data showed on Thursday.

Businesses and household deposits increased to 139.72 billion euros ($152.73 billion) from 138.64 billion in June, Bank of Greece data showed.

The government will try to bridge the gap between its own estimates regarding the 2020 budget and those of the country's creditors before it tables its first draft on October 7.

European Stability Mechanism (ESM) chief Klaus Regling indicated on Friday that Greece's lenders may consider reducing the country's high primary surplus targets if it can overshoot growth goals after 2020.

Greece has formally ended the last remaining banking restrictions imposed four years ago during a financial crisis that saw the country nearly crash out of the eurozone.
The decision announced last week took full effect Monday as limits were lifted on international business transactions, overseas cash withdrawals and money sent to students studying abroad, among other cash curbs.

Cyprus has fully repaid a loan it secured from Russia in 2011, its finance minister said on Monday, a debt assumed by the island's former communist-led administration to keep it afloat at the peak of a financing crisis.