An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team is in Athens this week. For the next two weeks, they will hold consultations under the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP). As reported by “N”, the mission opened on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, with meetings lined up with Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras and the Hellenic Bank Association, plus contacts with the Finance Ministry and major lenders.
What does the IMF FSAP mean for Athens?
FSAP is a broad, periodic check-up of a country’s financial system. It looks at how the authorities, such as the central bank, the finance ministry and the deposit guarantee scheme, can keep stability. Sources call it a “business as usual” review that typically occurs every 5 to 10 years, not an emergency move. For Athens, the process draws international attention to local institutions and compares their practices with global standards.
Who is taking part in the meetings?
Based on the reported agenda, most sessions center on the Bank of Greece, with additional meetings planned across the financial sector:
- Six largest banks: the four systemic lenders, plus CrediaBank and Optima Bank
- The Hellenic Bank Association
- The Deposit and Investment Guarantee Fund (TEC)
- The Growthfund (Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations)
- One loan servicer, one or two insurance companies and an investment firm
These meetings look at risk management, supervision, crisis readiness and how market safety nets work in practice.
What is the timeline and what happens next?
The mission runs for roughly two weeks, and visits are expected to become more frequent in the months ahead. The same sources say a second mission is planned for January, while the IMF’s report is expected after Easter. As of Thursday, the visit was still under way in the capital, with technical discussions continuing across institutions.
What changed since the last review?
Greek authorities, namely the Bank of Greece and the Finance Ministry, answered an IMF questionnaire about 18 months ago and highlighted the return to normality in the country’s financial system. The FSAP now checks that claim against current data, supervisory frameworks and readiness for stress scenarios.
What could this mean for residents and businesses?
While mostly technical, the assessment matters at home. A positive, credible FSAP can lift confidence, improve funding conditions for banks and, indirectly, affect the availability of credit for households and SMEs in Athens and across Attica. It also reviews safeguards that protect depositors and help markets keep working during shocks.
Where to find more information?
Official readouts are usually released by national authorities or the IMF at key moments, including after a mission ends. The source did not share the full day-by-day schedule beyond Tuesday or name all private-sector participants. We will update this as agencies publish statements and timelines.
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