a periodical publication for the employees of the NBG Group - ISSUE NO. 20 - January 2011

Leading Ahead

N A T I O N A L B A N K

O F G R E E C E

NBG supports upgrade of medical facilitiesat the Evangelismos Hospital

issues of Leading Ahead

Newsletter for the employees of the NBG Group

ISSUE No. 20 - JANUARY 2011

HR Division, Internal Communications:

Nikos Kanellopoulos, Tonia Dimitriou, Evi Totoni, FotiniSkarlatou

+30 210-3342230 (or ext. 12230), +30 210-3342919 (or ext. 12919)

Email:

No part of this publication may be republished,

reproduced or altered, in any way or by any means,

mechanical, electronic or photocopying, without the prior

written consent of the publisher (under Greek Law

2121/1993 and international copyright laws).You can access this publication on the intranet at

and on the internet at www.nbg.gr

For the Greek edition follow the link:

For the English edition follow the link:

Editors:

Tel.:

Intended for internal distribution

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Ανακοινώσεις/Εκδόσεις

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/Press, Publications

Please send us your views, topics you would like to

see published or even an article written by you:

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epikoinonia@nbg.gr

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Table of ContentsLeading Ahead

OUR NEWS SPECIAL FEATURE

CONSUMER CREDIT AWARDS

DEVELOPMENTS

PRESENTATION

STRESS AT WORK.

MIET:

PUBLICATIONS

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NBG Staffinsuranceorganizations

HR DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR

epikoinonia@nbg.gr

DEVELOPMENTS

In April 2006, NBG's Internal Communications unit released the first issue of the Group's newsletter

. The newsletter is part of a comprehensive internal communications program that aims at

encouraging two-way communication between employees and management, fostering a shared corporate

culture and the disseminating the goals and activities of NBG among all staff of the Group. Besides the

newsletter, employees are provided with regular updates via announcements posted on the Internal

Communications page of the Intranet as well as the start-up page appearing on the staff's PC screens.

Staff can also submit questions, suggestions or comments regarding the workings of the Bank, to the

various relevant central management units by e-mail (epikoinonia@nbg.gr).

The newsletter is published in hardcopy every quarter (January, April, July and October) in Greek and

distributed to all employees of the Bank in Greece and of our domestic subsidiaries. The English version

of is published in electronic format on the Bank's website (www.nbg.gr), so that it is

available to all Group staff abroad. Through the pages of staff have an opportunity to learn

about the key business moves of the Bank; they become participants in the changes and developments

taking place in systems and procedures in the NBG Group, and have a chance to learn about the Group's

subsidiaries abroad. Most of the Bank's General Managers have contributed articles at one time or

another to , presenting the activities and latest developments in the units under their

supervision. This newsletter is a powerful communication tool and is serves to highlight issues concerning

all the Group's employees.

On the occasion of the publication of the 20th issue of the newsletter, the editorial team would like to

thank all those who have contributed to it, as well as all those colleagues in the Group who have helped

to improve its content and style with their constructive observations and comments.

We wish you all a happy and fulfilling 2011 in both your personal and professional lives.

Human Resources Division

Internal Communications

Leading Ahead

Leading Ahead

Leading Ahead

Leading Ahead

Our news

This is the second learning tool produced by the NBG HistoricalArchives, following the publication of

. With the publication ofthe NBG Historical Archives hope to foster greater

awareness among both teachers and pupils alike of themeaning, significance, and role of archives. This comic-formatpublication is designed to appeal to young school pupils whovisit the premises of the NBG Historical Archives.

is given to school pupils who participate inthe educational programmes run by the NBG HistoricalArchives.

For the second consecutive year, as part of the annual “AgentBanks in Major Markets” survey carried out by the industryjournal Global Custodian on custodian services provided toGreek and international investors, NBG's Securities ServicesDivision won the distinction of “Top Rated”, thereby gaining firstplace among custodians operating in the Greek market.

Global Custodian is the flagship journal for the custodianindustry internationally, and the results of its annual survey –which derive from detailed assessments by customers – serveas a benchmark for institutional clientele when selecting acustodian.

Besides being welcome recognition of the work produced bythe Division, the general rise in its ratings and the highlypositive comments of clients also serve as an added stimulusfor the Securities Services Division to continue its drive toprovide high quality services to meet the special demands of itsclientele.

Archives: Sources ofKnowledge, Sources of Memory Lost inthe Archives

Lost in the Archives

t

New learning packpublished by theNBG Historical Archives

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Texts: Kanellos Bitsikas and Maria LebessiIllustrations: Kanellos Bitsikas

Lost in the Archives

SECURITIES SERVICES DIVISION

New awards for ourcustodian services

The world of the Archive meets theworld of comics. Young Jason getslost in the magical world of the NBGHistorical Archives as he tries to findinformation about his grandfather.

Taking young Jason's visit to theArchives as its starting point, thepublication presents the varied workcarried out at the NBG HistoricalArchives (archiving, conservation,digitization and microfilming,educational programmes).

e-Pass devices now availableNBG at select Branches

In collaboration with Attiki Odos and Attikes Diadromes, the Cash

Management Solutions unit at the Group's Global Transaction Services

Division has agreed the sale, via NBG Branches, of e-Pass devices to

customers and NBG staff alike, thereby extending yet further the range

of products offered by the Bank and enabling Branches toboost their productivity.

As of 29 November 2010,at all NBG Branches in theprefectures of Attica, Boeotia,Euboea, Fokida, Fthiotida,Aitoloakarnania, Evrytania,Korinthia, Argolida, Achaia,Eleia, Arkadia, Lakonia,Messinia, Corfu, Kefallonia,Zakynthos and Lefkada,customers and NBG staffhave been able to obtainfree e-Pass devices andsubscribe to Attiki Odos's“express” program, so as toenjoy fast and cheaper tollson both the Attiki Odos andthe Eleusis-Corinth-Patrasand Korinth-Tripoli NationalHighways as well as anyother routes that may be operated in future by AttikiOdos.

The aim has been to not unduly burden the Bank's network, and keepcash desk staff free to carry out their usual banking transaction duties.

Accordingly, customers – whether private individuals or firms – who areinterested can bring the required documentation to any of the 335branches participating in the sales program and acquire the e-Passdevice and sign up for the “express” program.

The agreement and practicalimplementation of this newprocess was arranged jointly bythe Global Transaction ServicesDivision, the Corporate FinanceDivision, Legal Services, GroupCompliance, the BusinessProcesses Division, InformationSystems ApplicationDevelopment & Support, andthe Purchasing Division. Tobetter support and market thisnew partnership, a specialcommunication campaign hasbeen designed and deployed incollaboration with the GroupMarketing Division and theStrategic Marketing &Communication Division, whichwill post advertising on theBank's website and via printedleaflets.

The signing ceremony for thesponsorship contract took place on 1December 2010 at the Melas Mansionin central Athens. The contract wassigned by NBG's CEO

, the Minister of Healthand Social Solidarity

, Finance Minister, Deputy Minister

of the Environment, Energy andClimate Change ,and the Director of EvangelismosHospital

ApostolosTamvakakis

AndreasLoverdos GeorgePapaconstantinou

Nikos Sifounakis

Michael Theodorou.

Upgrade of the facilities at Evangelismos Hospital,the largest in Greece, thanks to the support of NBG

SPECIAL FEATURE

The new wing will cover a total area of12,700 square metres. It will containoperating theatres equipped with state-of-the-art surgical facilities, special unitswith 20 beds for post-operative intensivecare for heart, neurological and chestcases, a haemodynamics department

with three angiography units, and acentral sterilization unit for prevention ofnosocomial infections, plus other relateddepartments. The construction of thenew wing is planned to begin in October2011 and be completed within 30months.

Since the time of its establishment in 1841 NBG has lived up to its status ofresponsible corporate citizen, fully recognizing the value of social responsibilityand incorporating community actions into its strategy. The systematic socialcontribution of NBG, through a diverse range of sponsorships and financialsupport, was demonstrated once again with the signing of a sponsorship packageworth EUR 30 million for the construction of a new Surgical Wing at theEvangelismos General Hospital inAthens.

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The construction project at Evangelismoswill replace the old operating theatres –which are now 37 years old – increasingthe total number of operating theatres atthe hospital from 13 to 22, thereby

helping to reduce waiting times forsurgery, which currently exceed threemonths. In his speech, NBG's CEOApostolos Tamvakakis stressed that NBGbelieves that “the business communitycannot remain indifferent in a communitywhich, particularly today, faces complex,acute, and unprecedented problems, andstated that NBG throughout its history hasplayed a leading role in economic andsocial developments in the country,undertaking major initiatives in difficulttimes.

Andreas Loverdos, Minister for Healthand Social Solidarity, described NBG'sfunding as “an exemplary move” and“proof of social responsibility”. He alsostressed the need for bureaucratic

obstacles to be removed, so as to enablethe time intervening betweenannouncement of a sponsorship by theprivate sector to the public to be reducedand thereby speed up implementation.

In his speech, Finance Minister GeorgePapaconstantinou made special mentionof the leading role played by NBG in thedomestic banking system and stressedthat the concept of “social responsibility isnot just empty words but comprisesconcrete actions such as those of NBG”.He noted that the government, despite

the economic downturn, will continue toprovide high quality services to citizens,helped in this case by NBG. DeputyEnvironment Minister Nikos Sifounakisnoted that the new building would be inharmony with the architecture of theEvangelismos Hospital. The Director ofthe Hospital Michael Theodorou gave adetailed presentation of the project andoutlined the improvements that it hailed,while he also mentioned that the projectmarks a significant investment in theHealth sector and the Economy,supporting the wider effort to enhance thecountry's national health service.

Also attending the event were theChairman of NBG, Vassilios Rapanos,Deputy CEOs Alexander Tourkolias,Anthimos Thomopoulos and LeonidasTheoklitos, and the President of theThorax Foundation ProfessorCharalambos Roussos.

V. Rapanos, N. Sifounakis, C. Papakonstantinou, A. Tamvakakis, A. Loverdos, C.Roussos and M. Theodorou at the signing ceremony for the sponsorship contract.

DEVELOPMENTS

NBG participated, for the third year in a row, inthe SIBOS International Conference/Exhibitionheld in Amsterdam (25-29 October 2010) withits own stand, which it shared with itssubsidiary Finansbank Turkey. This year'sparticipation was crowned with even greatersuccess than the former event in Hong Kong.The number of visitors to our stand exceeded940 persons, surpassing last year's figure of900.SIBOS attracts all the major players ininternational finance as well as globalcorporations active in the fields of computersystems and software production. Among thethousands of exhibitors and visitors, we metexecutives from some of the world's leadinginstitutions. The business meetings conductedas part of this event generated great businesspotential.Under the particularly adverse conditions forthe Greek economy and in the shadow of theMemorandum, with global economic recessionstill evident in the international banking arena,our participation in the Amsterdam SIBOSExhibition, apart from giving us significantinternational exposure, reflects the NBGGroup's commitment to meeting its businessgoals. The exhibition, which was heldimmediately after completion of the sharecapital increase by €1.8 billion, gave the NBGGroup the opportunity, during meetings withexecutives from the international bankingcommunity (who did not hide their concernsabout developments in the Greek economy) tohighlight the strengthening of the Group'scapital adequacy, the confidence of investors in

the NBG Group and the Group's high liquidity and

profitability.Our stand was elegantly designed, and well-

positioned at the heart of the exhibition and ensuredthe best possible exposure among the world's leadingfinancial institutions. NBG was represented by NBGofficers and representatives from Finansbank Turkey.136 different meetings took place at the NBG standinvolving 248 high-level officers from variousinternational institutions. Of these meetings 78centred exclusively on NBG while the rest were eitherrelated exclusively to Finansbank or were jointmeetings with NBG..

NBG at the SIBOS exhibition in Amsterdam

SIBOS attracts allthe major players ininternational financeas well as globalcorporations activein the fields ofcomputer systemsand softwareproduction.

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NBG is at the forefront of developments yetagain.

a new highly effective automation utility for ourcustomers' supply chains in – primarily – theircross-border trade transactions. Ininternational trade, the gathering, monitoringand reconciliation of data during the entire lifecycle of a transaction so as to mitigate risksand achieve greater transparency, areparticularly challenging. TSU meets thischallenge effectively, as well as current trendsin the market, such as the growing use ofopen account trading. The Trade ServiceUtility is an application founded on interbankmovement of information, which enables theautomated exchange and matching of databetween the banks of the buyer and the seller,eliminating the need to control documents. Italso introduces a new guarantee underconditions, the Bank Payment Obligation(BPO), i.e. an irrevocable conditionalundertaking which aspires to fill the gapbetween Stand-by Letters of Credit andDocumentary Credits.The benefits from the use of TSU/BPO arenumerous and extremely significant in theenvironment emerging in the wake of theglobal crisis.

from the Society for Worldwide InterbankFinancial Telecommunication (SWIFT) thatlaunched the TSU/BPO solution and is settinga good example for its business partners.Indeed, we are participating together with 17other banks worldwide in the BPO promotionteam which aspires to gain official

It is the only Greek bank equipped tooffer TSU (Trade Service Utility) solutions,

NBG has already received accreditation

endorsement for the utility from the InternationalCommercial Chamber (ICC) Within the context ofNBG's participation in the SIBOS InternationalConference in Amsterdam (25-29 October 2010), Ms

Manager of NBG's Global TransactionServices Division, at a number of interactivepresentations, underlined the importance of adoptingthis pioneering financial utility, analysed the benefitsof the TSU/BPO application and presented theprogress of the project, while stressing NBG'scontribution to its wider adoption.

Evi Passa,

SWIFT TSU: NBG in the vanguard yet again

Evi Passa presents the TSU/PBO application at the SIBOS InternationalExhibition

Green solutions for retail customers

CONSUMER CREDIT

Terms such as “green development” and

“green products” have already enriched our

daily vocabulary and mark out the gradual

changeover to an era where emphasis is

placed on the environmental impact of the

products and services provided. The green

mind-set is no longer just a theory; it is a

realistic alternative lifestyle that continues to

gain ground.

Likewise, the cost of “green” solutions is

becoming more and more affordable for the

average-income household, thanks to the

progress of green technology, while green

activities constitute a potentially profitable

investment for individuals: the turn to green

solutions may also bring economic gains.

Besides its environmental policy, NBG also

encourages environmentally aware citizens

to assume an active role in the protection of

the environment by choosing clean forms of

energy and environmentally-friendly

technologies, while it offers a range of

lending products that finance green

solutions.

NBG participates at a rate of at least 40% in

the “Energy saving at home” Programme of

the Ministry of Environment, Energy and

Climate Change, which aims at the energy

upgrading of 100,000 houses through an

attractive financing scheme. NBG's

Consumer Credit Division, in collaboration

with TEMPME (Credit Guarantee Fund for

Energy saving at home

SMEs), prepared the parameters regarding the

implementation of the Programme as well as

details regarding the funding of eligible citizens.

The Programme is intended for home-owners

with a building permit issued before 1980 and

provides funds for improvements, including, for

instance, repairs or additions to insulation

systems and materials, change of doors and

window fittings, upgrading or converting of

heating systems, up to a budget of €15,000 and

at a 4.93% subsidized interest rate, plus a

number of other benefits, such as donation of

principal up to €4,500 and payment of two

energy inspections.

The green mind-set is no

longer just a theory; it is a

realistic alternative lifestyle

that continues to gain

ground.

The Consumer Credit team at the SUNDAYS Exhibition

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Energy saving

Installation of photovoltaic systems

NBG's “Green Loan” is intended for

customers who wish to improve their

environmental footprint, offering dynamic

solutions for energy-consumption issues

in their daily lives. For instance:

improvement in home energy efficiency,

by enhancing insulation and changing

door and window openings, reducing

energy loss and, as a result, generating

financial savings for the owner through

lower fuel bills.

At a special floating rate of just 7%, the

energy upgrade of a house or the

purchase of a new hybrid technology car

is now easier than ever.

The new loan for installing photovoltaic

systems is intended for retail customers

who wish to install a photovoltaic systemon the rooftop of their home, in the context

of the Special Programme for the Development

of Photovoltaic Systems (Government Gazette

1079/B/04.06.2009).

The installation of photovoltaic systems in a

country with plenty of sunshine like Greece is an

attractive investment, especially when combined

with the provision of government incentives

designed to encourage this type of energy: by

means of this Special Programme home-owners

have the option to install a photovoltaic system of

a power capacity of up to 10kW and sell the

electricity generated to DEH (the Hellenic Public

Power Corp) at a good price.

A 10kW photovoltaic system generates

average energy equal to 13,000kW/h per

annum, thus yielding for its owner annual tax-

free income of €7,150 from the sale of

electricity to DEH.

The new loan product covers the total cost of

installation of the photovoltaic system, including

the cost of connection to the DEH grid, at

floating rate 3-month Euribor plus a margin of

7.45%, free of charge.

NBG takes part in the 1st Exhibitionof SUNDAYS Photovoltaic Systems

NBG participated, as a major sponsor, in the 1 Exhibition of SUNDAYS

Photovoltaic Systems held 16 - 18 November 2010 in central Athens at Syntagma

metro station.

NBG was represented at the Exhibition by the Consumer Credit and the Small

Business Loans Divisions, with the assistance of Strategic Marketing &

Communication. Our participation was deemed highly successful as we attracted

a large number of visitors to our elegantly designed stand, providing top quality

assistance and information to those interested in understanding the potential of

photovoltaic systems and the relevant funding options that NBG provides to both

retail customers and businesses.

In addition, those who visited NBG's stand were able to take part in a prize-draw

for a 3kW power Photovoltaic System (equipment and installation free of charge)

organized on the occasion of launching the new loan for the installation of

photovoltaic systems. The prize-draw was sponsored by ExelGroup S.A., a team

of which was present at our stand to answer questions of a technical nature.

The prize-draw was held on 3 December 2010 before a notary-public and the

lucky winner was Ms Rodanthi Kanaki, resident of Drapetsona, Attiki.

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AWARDS

Award from the University of the Aegean for

NBG’s CSR Report 2009

Award from the University of the Aegean

for NBG s CSR Report 2009'

NBG received, for the second year in a row,

an award from the University of the Aegean

for the high performance of its 2009

Corporate Social Responsibility Report,

during an event run by CSR Reporting

Forum 2010 that took place on 30 November

2010 at King George Palace Hotel, Athens

The NBG 2009 CSR Report gained 1st place

among banks and 5th place among all the

companies assessed, with a total score of

32%. The NBG CSR Report was

commended for its good provision of

responsibility information regarding services

offered, key data regarding its environmental

performance, satisfactory coverage of

corporate governance and the extensive

presentation of its corporate profile.

The Department of Environmental Policy of

the University of the Aegean carries out each

year an evaluation of the CSR Reports of

major Greek companies, which have been

prepared in accordance with Global

Reporting Initiative guidelines (GRI version

G3). The assessment methodology is based

on the number of GRI indicators stated and

the extent to which they are fulfilled,

as well as on the materiality and reliability of

the information provided and the level of

stakeholder identification and engagement,

i.e. the elements that comprise the

fundamental principles underscoring the

preparation of such Reports.

.

–

Mr T. Valassiadis, Manager of NBG's BoD Secretariat and Shareholder

Services Division, receives the award from Mr K. Sofoulis, former Rector and

Professor Emeritus of the University of the Aegean.

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At the “Hrima Business Awards 2010 –

Georgios Ouzounis” ceremony, which

took place for the eighth consecutive

year in the context of the Greek

Investment Forum 2010 held at the

Ethniki Insurance Conference Centre on

Thursday, 9 December 2010, NBG was

honoured with two awards.

Out of a total of 16 award categories for

listed companies, NBG ranked first in the

“Best Company 2010” and “Best Bank

2010” categories. Mr. Theodoros

Valassiadis, Manager of NBG's BoD

Secretariat and Shareholder Services

Division, received the awards from Mr.

Georgios Koubas, Secretary General of

the Association of Listed Companies.

The winners of this year's Hrima

Business Awards were voted

electronically by investors via the Hrima

magazine website and the Hrima Week

newsletter, which is distributed

electronically to over 50,000 subscribers.

Double award for NBG at the “Hrima BusinessAwards 2010 – Georgios Ouzounis”.“Best Company 2010” and “Best Bank 2010”

This double award confirms once more the leading

position of NBG as well as the successful outcome

of its strategic policies, which have received the

recognition of Greek investors in general and key

players in the Greek market.

Messrs. K. Ouzounis, T. Valassiadis, G. Koubas at the award ceremony

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NBG sponsors the “Athens x 4”competition, organized by theUnification of the ArchaeologicalSites of Athens SA. The competitionaims at eliciting proposals withregard to the urban cell, i.e. the cityblock.Greek cities are characterized byblocks of buildings with dense streetnetworks, narrow pavements andonly sporadic green spaces. Thecompetition focuses on creatinglarger blocks by unifying four existingadjacent blocks. The goal is to utilizein an optimum way the free spacethat will arise from the crossroadsthat divide them and any existingempty or non-built spaces, resultingin improving the area's micro-climate, the quality of life, theappearance and function of publicareas.The contestants were asked tochoose any four city blocks locatedin decaying urban districts of theGreater Athens area, i.e.neighbourhoods with a high building-to-land ratio, lack of green or publicspaces, or old buildings, and tomake proposals for theirimprovement. Notably, thecompetition is aimed at youngarchitects aged below 40.Proposals were submitted by 22December 2010 and the five bestproposals shall be announced by 22March 2011. Following completion of

the procedure, all proposals shall beposted at , thewebsite of the Unification of theArchaeological Sites of Athens SA.,as well as at . and shallbe presented at a special exhibitionopen to the public (free of charge).Besides providing sponsorship, NBGshall also contribute to the appraisalprocess, as Mr. CharilaosTzannetakis, Manager of the Bank'sTechnical Services Division, isparticipating in the judgingcommittee. In addition, NBG shallcontribute to the publication andutilisation of the competition'sresults.

At “Architecture and the City”, nevent held on Thursday, 21 October2010, and attended by Tina Birbili,Minister for the Environment, Energyand Climate Change, NikosSifounakis, Alternate Minister, andDina Galani, Chairman of theUnification of the ArchaeologicalSites of Athens SA, NBG's CEOApostolos Tamvakakis presented thecompetition and stated that:

Since its establishment, NBG hasactively supported the economic andsocial development of Greece, andhas always sought to respect theconcept of corporate responsibility.We hope that the “Athens x 4”competition will mark a newbeginning for urban architecture, soas to give new appearance and usesto our public spaces and upgradeand regenerate the neighbourhoodsof Athens.”

www.astynet.gr

www.nbg.gr

a

“

NBG supports the “Athens x 4” competition

The goal is to utilize in an optimum manner the free space that will arise fromthe crossroads that divide them and any existing empty on non-built spaces,resulting in improving the area's micro-climate, the quality of life, theappearance as well as operation of public space.

DEVELOPMENTS

The 1st “i-bank Innovation & Technology” competition

is evolving successfully. This is a significant initiative

of the Bank for the development of a new platform

that promotes the production of original ideas and

supports the creativity of the young. The competition

includes four themes: e-commerce, e-applications,

environment & technology, and alternative banking

channels, while it is supported by six top Greek

universities.

Interest was focused mainly on proposals related

to the environment (30% of proposals) and e-

commerce (28%).

The proposals showed a particular focus on RES,

energy management systems, e-commerce

applications through social network structures, as

well as educational applications. With respect to

alternative banking channels, most proposals

concerned e-banking and mobile banking issues, as

well as securing banking transactions by means of

biometric and other modes of identification.

By the deadline for submitting proposals for

Phase I, the competition's site

www.nbg.gr/ibank/innovation had been viewed by

approximately 50,000 visitors. In the final straight to

the award ceremony and the top prizes (1 prize €

20,000, 2 prize € 10,000, 3 prize € 6,000 and 4

prize € 4,000) ten proposals have been shortlisted for

the third and last phase. The ten candidates (whether

individuals or teams) have been invited to present

their proposal in person before the Final Appraisal

Committee, which consists of University teachers

and researchers and NBG experts. The ceremony is

scheduled to take place in late February or early

March 2011 and is expected to attract interest due to

the number of participants and the high-profile

guests. At www.nbg.gr/ibank/innovation, under

Announcements, you can find regular updates on the

competition.

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As shown in the table of results of Phase I, which

was completed on 1 November 2010:674 participants submitted 403 proposals (solo or

team), a strong turnout for the first year.Most participants were between 20 and 40 years

old, reflecting the intense interest of young people

seeking to gain recognition and support for their

ideas.

1st “i-bank Innovation & Technology” competition

NBG's Central Library

PRESENTATION

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NBG's Central Library was established in

1919, in order to meet the Bank's needs

and employees' scientific research at the

time. Since then the Library has

undergone substantial changes in its

structure and workings, while over the

years its collection has been computerized

and incorporated in the Library

Automation System of the National

Documentation Centre. Today it functions

as a company library in line with modern

library science methodology.

The Library offers its services primarily to

Bank staff. However, it supports the

research and writing of any economist,

researcher, student Bank client.or

It belongs to NBG's Strategic Planning

and Research Division and is located on

the 2 floor of NBG's Head Office in

Athens.

Its collection mainly consists of economic

and banking books that cover a wide

range of topics, and a large number of

periodicals. Also, the Library holds all the

publications of NBG's Cultural Foundation

(MIET, ELIA) as well as rare books. The

collection is comprised of approximately

58,000 titles in Greek and other

languages, the majority of which is

included in its computer catalogue.

Likewise, a significant percentage of titles

is listed on the Bank's Intranet at

nd

entrepreneurship. Thus, the CentralLibrary endeavours to meet moderncompany needs and keep up with thelatest trends in the provision of specialisedknowledge and information to staff, so asto serve as a dynamic information centrefor people at the BankThe Library collection includes:

57,000 books.210 international journals andperiodicals and 83 Greek journalsaccessible electronically.Publications of the EU, the OECD, theIMF, the Greek Centre of Planning andEconomic Research, the HellenicBank Association, the HellenicFederation of Bank Employee Unions(OTOE), etc.Publications of foreign and Greekbanks, studies of financial groupsbased in Greece and abroad, annualreports of banks and companies, etc.Reference works, such asencyclopedias, dictionaries.

Bulletins with statistical data and

analyses.

Library users can enjoy the best of:ongoing updating, improvement anduse of its printed material;computerized catalogue facilities thatenable instant access to data;

direct link-up with other libraries,

documentation centres and

international organizations.

The Library's collections are enriched

either by recent publications and

.

a)

b)

c)

journals purchased upon request by other

NBG units, or through donations. It also

serves as a reading-room open to the

public and as a lending library for

employees of NBG or towards associated

libraries. Books can be lent for a

maximum of one month. Normal library

regulations apply to users of the NBG

Library. For example, in the event of loss

or damage the borrower is obliged to

replace the book at his own expenses.

Each user may borrow up to five books. In

addition, special care is provided for

employees who cannot easily access the

Library premises (i.e. staff in the regional

Units): they can be served through e-mail

and registered service mail.

Note that digitization, which is included

among the Central Library's future

projects, has brought about a revolution in

librarianship, lending and cooperation

between libraries. The digitization of the

Library's collection will ensure easier and

instant access for employees, attract more

visitors and users, and facilitate the

preservation of originals. In the course of

this process specific factors will be taken

into consideration to enable use of the

digitized format long-term, while e-lending

will be facilitated by means of an online

catalogue. Lastly, the future development

of NBG's Central Library shall be based

on the theory that modern and, in

particular, corporate libraries operate

primarily as information pools for the staff

of the companies they belong to. In

addition, user needs can be met in a

timely and efficient manner when library

material is electronically managed, and

initiatives are taken for coordinating their

work. Keeping abreast of modern

developments and taking on board any

new corporate circumstances, NBG's

Central Library carries out its work with

consistency and devotion, focusing on the

needs and requests of colleagues.

Aiolou 86, 2 floor, office 84

Tel.: +30 2103341454-3, 2103342092,

2103341533 (internal 11454-3, 12092,

11533)

e-mail: books@nbg.gr

NBG's Central Librarynd

Stress is a natural reaction of the body

that everybody experiences. In many

cases it is useful and vital to survival. It is

considered pathological when it starts to

hinder our everyday activities,

achievement of desired goals and

emotional wellbeing. This kind of stress,

particularly when it becomes chronic,

can lead to suffering and difficulties.

The Greek term for stress ( )

derives from the ancient Greek verb

, meaning to struggle or suffocate.

Stress makes people suffocate,

obstructs and reduces bodily, mental and

emotional functions. The symptoms of

stress may be physical (such as

migraines, exhaustion, aches,

numbness, loss of appetite, frequent

minor ailments), psychological (such as

negative thinking, irritability, phobias,

failure to concentrate and to take

decisions), or behavioural (such as lack

of sociability, being overcritical of others,

avoiding work, breaking out in tears,

excessive passivity).

Its causes may be obvious (such as the

loss of a loved one, loneliness, difficulty

to provide for the family) or may be due

to inherent personality factors

(competitiveness, perfectionism) or

reaction to traumatic experiences in life

or at work (illness, robbery, dismissal

from work).

How can stress be dealt with? Stress

management initially aims at helping

people identify stress issues, then at

offering relief and reducing discomfort

through appropriate techniques and

finally resolving the problem.

Anti-stress strategies include techniques

for managing physical symptoms (such

as special breathing techniques and

relaxation), psychological symptoms

(such as distraction of attention and

provocation) and behavioural issues,

such as techniques for managing time

efficiently, goal-setting, prioritisation, and

adoption of healthy habits (exercise,

nutrition, and adequate sleep), fostering

a positive attitude and improving

assertive behaviour.

The HR Development Division has

responded to the interest on the part of

many employees and included in its

training programme a seminar on

workplace stress and managementtechniques, in cooperation with

psychologists from the Psychological

Support Unit of the NBG Staff Health

Fund (TYPET).

Lecturer-TrainerI

TYPET Psychologist

anchos

ancho

Panagiota Tsentourou

rene Psarra

PRESENTATION

Lea

din

g A

he

ad

Jan

ua

ry 2

01

1/

Stress at work HR Development Division seminar:

For information on the training seminar:Mrs. , tel. +30 2108917274(internal 77274)For information on psychological support:

Mrs. , tel. +30 2109949556 (internal

19556)

P. Tsentourou

I. Psarra

The Greek term for stress ( ) derives from the ancient Greek verb

, meaning to struggle or suffocate. Stress makes people suffocate,

obstructs and reduces bodily, mental and emotional functions.

anchos

ancho

Texts: Dimitris Dimitropoulos, Stefanos

Kaklamanis, Victor T. Melas, Nikos Belavilas,

Anastasia Stouraiti, Yorgos Tolias

ΜΙΕΤ, 2010, 271 pages

This publication accompanies the like-named

exhibition on old maps and charts of the Aegean

Sea organized by the NBG Cultural Foundation

(MIET) in the exhibition rooms of the EynardMansion, Athens (11

November 2010 to 29

May 2011).

The exhibition presents

images of the Aegean,

as recorded in maps,

charts and

geographical works

during the early

modern period. As the exhibition shows, this was

a decisive period, since from the late Middle

Ages onwards, during the time of the Latin

domination of the coasts and islands of the

Aegean, the geographical notion and

cartographical image of the archipelago was

constructed and disseminated. In other words, it

was during this time that the functional unity of

the coastline and islands of the Aegean was

defined – a unity that was comprised of

economic, geographical and political elements.

With the passing of time, the Ottoman conquest

of the region came as a new layer on top of the

earlier Latin archipelago, in the end serving to

The Aegean Sea: Cartography and History,

15th-17th centuries

consolidate the political unification of the entireregion. The period covered by the exhibition beginswith the emergence of the Aegean as a specialtheme in Western cartography in the late MiddleAges and ends with the final complete incorporationof the Aegean Sea and its lands within the OttomanEmpire. It aims to present cartographic productionrelating to the Aegean and place it within its historicalcontext. It seeks to show the reasons why maps ofthe Aegean were made and distributed and illuminatethe diverse needs – whether practical or scholarly –that maps were required to satisfy. Above all,however, the exhibition seeks to interpret the make-up and function of the image of the Aegean that thecartographers of the day presented to the public.This image was woven from a variety of elements:empirical mapping by maritime operators, thescholarly research of cosmographers, thecartographical practices of the mechanisms drivingcolonial expansion. These approaches serve tocomplement one another. Through them emerge thevarious networks that serve to define the unity of thespace as well as the complex interaction of theeconomy, politics and history that shapes the

MIET: PUBLICATIONS

Recent publications

MIET

geographical perspective. Asnoted in the foreword byVictor Melas, “since the timethe islands and coastlines ofthe Aegean were firstinhabited the sea served notas a barrier but as a bridgefor those who settled on itsshores. And this is not all:there is evidence that sincevery early on, the Aegeanplayed the role of a hubbetween three continents.”

N A T I O N A L B A N K

O F G R E E C E