”It takes calmness and the right policy if one is to deal with problematic loans soundly. There is no room for commotion, flukes and firecrackers, nor for blanket, one-size-fits-all solutions. It must be clearly perceived that ”red” loans and their retrieval ability are bank assets. This is also admitted by all investors who took part in capital increases”, states Mr. Tourkolias in ”Vima tis Kyriakis” newspaper.

He also stresses that such loans can’t be dealt with ”opportunistic approaches” or ”counselors’ and executives’ personal agendas”. ” The aspect that a bank system used to a 5% – 7% precarity level can adapt to a town-crier precarity level constitutes a clearly unprofessional point of view.”

As he concludes, ” the capitalization of the National Bank of Greece is under current circumstances way above the European average”.