Is nomen omen? Last month Cyprus appointed an economist called Panicos Demetriades as central bank governor. On Friday, the euro zone minnow committed to pump 1.8 billion euros, or 10 percent of GDP, into Cyprus Popular Bank (CPB) if its second largest lender can’t raise it privately. What’s more, this may just be a holding operation. If Greece quits the euro, Cypriot banks and the state itself will need more help…
…[L]ooming over everything is what’s happening in Greece. Bank of Cyprus and CPB each have about 10 billion euros of Greek loans, of which already 13 percent and 19 percent respectively are non-performing. In the event of a Greek exit from the euro, they would both need further capital. Although the central bank’s data from the end of March doesn’t show any deposit flight, the lenders might also require help on liquidity.
Even without a Greek exit, the government’s finances are stretched. Last year it had a 6.3 percent budget deficit and received a 2.5 billion euro loan from Russia, with which it has close financial ties. The IMF thinks the economy will shrink 1 percent this year. In the long run, offshore oil deposits may provide some salvation. But if Athens brings back the drachma, Nicosia will be hard-pressed to avoid its own bailout from the euro zone.