According to an announcement released on Thursday, Marfin Financial Group strengthened its participation in Popular Bank, acquiring 50 thousand CPB shares at the price of £2.82. However, the volume absorbed by the share yesterday is not attributable to the acquisition of shares by MFG but the acquisitions by other unknown investors and the acquisition of 3 thousand shares at £2.78 by the Employees Provident Fund. On Wednesday, Popular Bank closed at £2.85 attracting 53.8% or £3.85 million of the trading volume.

According to local analysts, the latest acquisition shows that since the price of the share has been evaluated at £3 within the framework of the triple merger, Marfin will buy CPB shares below the price of £3.

Marfin sources say that the acquisition plan is in line with the original planning for an increase of its stake in Popular Bank to 19.99%.