The Church of Greece is preparing to file an application for a banking license, aiming to establish its own digital bank within the coming months. The move, developed quietly over the past three years, has sparked internal debate among clergy and raised questions about the institution’s role in finance.
A source involved in the project told Kathimerini that the plan is to submit the necessary documents to the Bank of Greece by May or early June. The initiative envisions a fully digital financial institution with no physical branches, allowing customers to access services via computers and smartphones.
“It will be a very modern electronic bank and it will not use Church assets as collateral,” a source emphasized, rejecting speculation that it would function as a so-called “Holy Bank.”
While some church officials support the plan, others remain skeptical. “Let’s see when results start emerging if bishops will gradually want to become shareholders,” one insider commented.
The initiative is backed by Financial Innovation Holding SA. The Church is not contributing financial capital but is leveraging its strong reputation to attract investors.
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