Cyprus Development Bank
Encyclopedia
The Cyprus Development Bank (CDB), (Κυπριακή Τράπεζα Αναπτύξεως), was established in 1963 as a public company to promote economic development in Cyprus. Its main shareholders are the Republic of Cyprus
and the European Investment Bank
.
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus
in 1974 resulted in the large-scale displacement of the population, and paralyzed the local economy. The CDB had to write off 47% of its loans and about 30% of its equities. The Government’s Scheme of Arrangement of May 1976 helped CDB restore its credit-worthiness and resume its activities.
After the Turkish invasion, the bank concentrated on supporting viable small-scale manufacturing industries. The CDB restructured its organization and recruited additional staff. Lending operations were directed towards the establishment of export-oriented businesses and the development of tourist facilities. Advisory and project management services were introduced. The Bank’s investment department formed the Cyprus Investment and Securities Corporation (CISCO), which actively supported the Cyprus Stock Exchange
. In 1984 a special consultancy division was established to support local entrepreneurs.
After 1985, CDB launched its equities and venture capital operations. CDB’s lending portfolio exceeded CYP£20 million, and was distributed among the manufacturing (50%), tourism (40%) and other minor sectors of the economy (10%). IT was an area of intense activity, as the CDB carried out a study on the development of a national IT strategy for Cyprus, co-sponsored with UNDP. Novasys Information Services was established as a CDB subsidiary offering the business community specialized IT services. Novasys undertook the computerization of the operations of various government departments. CDB also established the Cyprus International Institute of Management, a postgraduate business school offering MBA courses.
In 1991, CDB ceased to be 100% government owned, as the European Investment Bank
, acquired 5.5% of CDB's share capital. In 1996 EIB’s share capital was increased to 12%.
In 1999 following approval from the Central Bank of Russia, CDB establishmed the Investment Bank of Kuban with headquarters in the Krasnodar
region. The new bank was established with the participation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(EBRD) with 25% of the share capital, and the CDB with 75%.
Other regional activities included the CDB’s upgrading and restructuring of the Palestinian Development Fund to become a bank, a project assigned to the CDB by the European Commission.
In April 2001, the CDB obtained a banking licence from the Central Bank of Cyprus
to provide the full range of banking operations in accordance with the existing banking law in Cyprus, including the granting of loans and guarantees of any nature, acceptance of all forms of deposits and performance of foreign exchange transactions
In June 2007, the Government of Cyprus invited expressions of interest on Friday to dispose of its majority stake. CDB’s assets in 2007 stand at CYP £231 million.
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
and the European Investment Bank
European Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank is the European Union's long-term lending institution established in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome. A policy-driven bank, the EIB supports the EU’s priority objectives, especially European integration and the development of economically weak regions...
.
History
Established in 1963 by the government of Cyprus, CDB's initial financing activities covered a very broad spectrum of the economy's productive sectors, with emphasis on the fields of manufacturing and industrial processing. Capital was provided in the form of medium and long-term loans as well as equity and venture capital.The Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
in 1974 resulted in the large-scale displacement of the population, and paralyzed the local economy. The CDB had to write off 47% of its loans and about 30% of its equities. The Government’s Scheme of Arrangement of May 1976 helped CDB restore its credit-worthiness and resume its activities.
After the Turkish invasion, the bank concentrated on supporting viable small-scale manufacturing industries. The CDB restructured its organization and recruited additional staff. Lending operations were directed towards the establishment of export-oriented businesses and the development of tourist facilities. Advisory and project management services were introduced. The Bank’s investment department formed the Cyprus Investment and Securities Corporation (CISCO), which actively supported the Cyprus Stock Exchange
Cyprus Stock Exchange
The Cyprus Stock Exchange or CSE is a stock exchange located in Nicosia, Cyprus. It was established under the Cyprus Securities and Stock Exchange Law which provides for the development of the securities market in Cyprus and for the establishment and operation of the Cyprus Stock Exchange, and was...
. In 1984 a special consultancy division was established to support local entrepreneurs.
After 1985, CDB launched its equities and venture capital operations. CDB’s lending portfolio exceeded CYP£20 million, and was distributed among the manufacturing (50%), tourism (40%) and other minor sectors of the economy (10%). IT was an area of intense activity, as the CDB carried out a study on the development of a national IT strategy for Cyprus, co-sponsored with UNDP. Novasys Information Services was established as a CDB subsidiary offering the business community specialized IT services. Novasys undertook the computerization of the operations of various government departments. CDB also established the Cyprus International Institute of Management, a postgraduate business school offering MBA courses.
In 1991, CDB ceased to be 100% government owned, as the European Investment Bank
European Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank is the European Union's long-term lending institution established in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome. A policy-driven bank, the EIB supports the EU’s priority objectives, especially European integration and the development of economically weak regions...
, acquired 5.5% of CDB's share capital. In 1996 EIB’s share capital was increased to 12%.
In 1999 following approval from the Central Bank of Russia, CDB establishmed the Investment Bank of Kuban with headquarters in the Krasnodar
Krasnodar
Krasnodar is a city in Southern Russia, located on the Kuban River about northeast of the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. It is the administrative center of Krasnodar Krai . Population: -Name:...
region. The new bank was established with the participation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Founded in 1991, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development uses the tools of investment to help build market economies and democracies in 30 countries from central Europe to central Asia. Its mission was to support the formerly communist countries in the process of establishing their...
(EBRD) with 25% of the share capital, and the CDB with 75%.
Other regional activities included the CDB’s upgrading and restructuring of the Palestinian Development Fund to become a bank, a project assigned to the CDB by the European Commission.
In April 2001, the CDB obtained a banking licence from the Central Bank of Cyprus
Central Bank of Cyprus
The Central Bank of Cyprus , is the central bank of the Republic of Cyprus, located in Nicosia. It was established in 1963. Its current governor is Mr. Athanasios Orphanides...
to provide the full range of banking operations in accordance with the existing banking law in Cyprus, including the granting of loans and guarantees of any nature, acceptance of all forms of deposits and performance of foreign exchange transactions
In June 2007, the Government of Cyprus invited expressions of interest on Friday to dispose of its majority stake. CDB’s assets in 2007 stand at CYP £231 million.