Katerina Stathopoulou

Investments & Finance Ltd (I&F) is a trusted partner in the maritime sector, offering tailored financial and investment banking advisory solutions for shipping and corporate clients in Piraeus, Greece.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Developed strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to expand the organization's reach and influence, while forging strong client relationships and assisting them in boosting company value.
• Negotiated and closed complex financial deals on behalf of key shipping clients, securing significant revenue streams for them and I&F.
• Financial restructuring transactions in excess of $5 billion for shipowners, entrepreneurs, and banks in distress.
• Sourced and arranged complex bank debt as bilateral loans or syndications in excess of $16 billion.
• Sourced and arranged public and private equity placements in excess of $4 billion.
• Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
• Developed and implemented organizational strategies to achieve set goals and objectives and secured long-term success.
• Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a collaborative work environment for increased productivity.
• Collaborated with external organizations to create mutually beneficial partnerships.

I was selected to assess start-up projects in the maritime industry for EU funding.

• Financial Assessment of the Projects.
• Interviewing the candidates, along with the other jury experts, to assess the viability of the projects.
• Rating the projects for their financial viability in order to receive EU funding.

Telesis Bank was a small private bank, established in 1991 under the name of Dorian Bank. Main shareholders came from the Greek shipping community. In 1999 it was bought out by a Greek Stock Broker company called Telesis, and in January of 2001 it merged with EUROBANK

Areas of Responsibility:

• Developed strong relationships with key clients, leading to repeat business and long-term partnerships.
• Handled crisis situations effectively by quickly assessing problems, developing solutions, and implementing corrective actions.
• Promoted a culture of continuous improvement within the shipping department by regularly reviewing processes, identifying opportunities for growth, and driving positive change.
• Oversaw budget planning for the shipping department, ensuring alignment with bank's financial goals while maintaining operational excellence.

Egnatia Bank was a private retail bank established in 1991. Its shareholder base was mainly from the Greek industrial sector. In 2012, it merged with MARFIN Bank, which subsequently merged with PIRAEUS Bank.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Instrumental in formulating the shipping finance policy of the bank and implementing its shipping loan operations, as the bank was one of the first private banks in Greece, being established at the time.
• Responded to customer inquiries and resolved complaints to establish trust and increase satisfaction.
• Built and maintained relationships with new and existing clients while providing high level of expertise.
• Maintained knowledge on banking products and distribution to provide optimal service support.
• Provided exceptional customer service, resolving issues promptly and maintaining client trust throughout the resolution process.
• Developed and cultivated lucrative relationships with both new and existing clients through effective communication and exemplary interpersonal skills.

The company represents the shipping interests of the late Mr. Minoas Kyriacou.

Areas of Responsibility

• Led budgeting process, collaborating with department heads to allocate resources strategically and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Enhanced cash flow management through the development of robust forecasting models, ensuring optimal liquidity for business operations.
• Managed relationships with external auditors, ensuring a smooth and efficient annual audit process with minimal findings or issues identified.
• Spearheaded the implementation of a new financial reporting system, resulting in more accurate and timely data for decision-making purposes.
• Facilitated the creation of ANT1 radio and television, and provided strategic guidance throughout the process.
• Tracked cash flow and financial planning to analyze company's financial strengths and weaknesses and propose strategic directions.
• Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.