The Human Resources and Innovation Department of the Association of Cyprus Banks (ACB) plays a pivotal role in strengthening sector stability, advancing workforce qualifications, and bolstering digital resilience. Outlined by Department Director Dr. Yannos Rossidis in the Association’s Annual Review, strategic initiatives spanned labor relations management, comprehensive professional training, and multi-front cybersecurity awareness campaigns.
Core Focus Areas & Executive Actions
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Workforce Advisory & Sector Analytics
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Key Interventions: Provides strategic advice on labor legislation alignment, conducts annual surveys on employee demographics and gender diversity in executive roles, and produces payroll analytics regarding gross earnings, labor costs, and sick leave trends.
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Key Stakeholders: Member Banks and Financial Institutions.
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Professional Learning & Upskilling
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Key Interventions: Delivers live workshops and digital webinars alongside asynchronous modules covering Anti-Money Laundering (AML), GDPR compliance, information security, and physical branch safety.
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Key Stakeholders: Banking Professionals and the Broader Financial Sector.
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Labor Relations & European Advocacy
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Key Interventions: Supported negotiations for the 2023–2027 Banking Collective Agreement, maintains active representation at the EBF-BCESA and European Sectoral Social Dialogue, and co-signed the European Declaration on Preventing Workplace Violence & Harassment in January 2026.
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Key Stakeholders: European Banking Federation (EBF), UNI Europa, and International Trainers.
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Cybersecurity Shielding & Fraud Awareness
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Key Interventions: Contributes legislative consultations on the EU NIS2 Directive and Digital Security Authority fee structures, launches anti fraud campaigns targeting phishing, smishing, and vishing, and coordinates ongoing operations including ASPiS and the European Money Mule Action.
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Key Stakeholders: Digital Security Authority (DSA), Central Bank of Cyprus, Europol, and Mastercard Cyprus.
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Advancing Labor Standards and Signing of the 2023–2027 Collective Agreement
Through the Cyprus Bank Employers’ Association, member banks finalized negotiations with employee unions, officially ratifying the new sector-wide collective agreement for 2023–2027 in December 2025. The agreement guarantees sustained industrial peace, introduces balanced pay structures, and enhances staff leave provisions.
On the European stage, Dr. Rossidis represents Cyprus within the Banking Committee for European Social Affairs of the European Banking Federation (EBF-BCESA) and Sectoral Social Dialogue meetings. A major international milestone was reached on January 15, 2026, in Brussels, where social partners signed a joint declaration to prevent workplace violence and harassment. The declaration was co-signed by former ACB Director General Dr. Michalis Kammas, who completed a 12 year tenure as Vice-President of the EBF-BCESA.
Proactive Cyber Threat Monitoring and Public Awareness
To counter evolving financial cybercrime, the Association’s dedicated Cybercrime Working Group works alongside regulatory bodies, including the Digital Security Authority (DSA) and the Central Bank of Cyprus. Key initiatives include:
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Legislative Advisory: Direct involvement in parliamentary discussions integrating the EU NIS2 Directive into national law, alongside formal submissions on regulatory fee frameworks.
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National Awareness Campaigns: Continuous deployment of the ASPiS public campaign to strengthen defense against online financial scams, developed alongside law enforcement and security authorities.
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International Counter Fraud Actions: Annual participation in the European Money Mule Action, coordinated by Europol and the European Banking Federation.
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Multi Media Anti Scam Blitz: A targeted spring campaign executed with Mastercard Cyprus across TV, radio, and digital channels, educating citizens to identify and avoid phishing, smishing, and vishing attempts.
Source: Stockwatch.com.cy