Greek SMEs, Citizens Protest Online Banking Fees

Citizens and small business owners in Greece are expressing growing frustration over excessive fees for online banking transactions, Athens Chamber of Tradesmen (EEA) President Yiannis Chatzitheodosiou said Wednesday, CE Report quotes Athens-Macedonia

Responding to recent government steps aimed at curbing e-banking charges, Chatzitheodosiou stressed that the action was driven by public pressure and called for more comprehensive legislation to protect consumers.

He highlighted a case involving a systemic bank that sold some ATMs to a company outside the DIAS banking system — a company in which the bank also holds a stake. Customers now face €1.50 transaction fees at those ATMs, with a portion going back to the bank. Chatzitheodosiou urged laws to cover such arrangements to ensure fair charges regardless of ATM ownership.

Criticizing banks for prioritizing profits over people, he noted that the four major banks earned €543.5 million in fees in Q1 2025, up from €478 million the year before, while many households and small businesses struggle with limited loan access.

He called on the government to take firm action: “The state must finally impose strict measures to stop these irrational charges and ensure banks meet their responsibilities.”