As part of its long-term goal for expansion and differentiation of its sources of income, Laiki Group has successfully continued the implementation of its strategic plan whose main axis is the internationalisation of its operations. Special emphasis is given to the Group's expansion in the Greek market and its penetration into markets with significant presence of Greek expatriates.
The initial step in the Group's expansion effort was made in 1974 with the opening of its UK branches to provide services to the Cypriot and Greek communities there. Since then the Bank's operations in the UK have expanded significantly and today it operates 6 branches (Cavendish Square, Haringey, Holloway, Palmer's Green, North Finchley, Birmingham).
The first Branch of Laiki Bank (Hellas) SA was opened in 1992 and paved the way for further expansion in Greece. Today Laiki Bank (Hellas) operates 51 branches. Its activity covers also mutual funds through Laiki Mutual Funds Management Company S.A., leasing services through Laiki Leasing S.A., factoring services through Laiki Factoring S.A., financial and investment services through Laiki Attalos Securities S.A. and insurance services through Laiki Life Insurance Company S.A. and Laiki Insurance Agents Ltd. In 2001 Laiki eBank launched the Group's electronic banking services in Greece.
The year 2001 signalled the start of operations of Laiki Bank Australia Ltd. Today it offers a wide range of depository and loan products through its 9 branches (Sydney, Marrickrille, Kogarah, Northcote, Lonsadle Street, Oakleigh, Adelaide, Doncaster and Kingsfort). In order to establish itself as the main Bank of the Greek community in Australia, Laiki Bank (Australia) Ltd is offering the whole range of Laiki Group's financial services and products.
In 2005 Laiki Group has established a subsidiary at the Channel Islands, Laiki Bank (Guernsey) Limited, as another step towards its international expansion. Laiki Bank (Guernsey) Limited offers a series of competitive deposit accounts, while the range of the banking products and services will be continuously expanded.
The representative offices of Laiki Group play an important role in its international activities and serve as source of referrals for new deposits, advances but also referrals for customer investments, depending on the goals of each office. The offices also provide information to the Group's units regarding the local marketsin which they operate. In total the Group operates 6 representative offices: in Johannesburg, Toronto, Montreal, Belgrade, New York and Moscow.
