Marfin Popular Bank has taken 17,500 sq ft for new headquarters at 12 Hay Hill, just off Berkeley Square, W1 from CREMS. The early let will see Marfin Popular Bank occupy the entire property as its UK headquarters on a 15-year lease, from completion of the refurbishment in February 2008.

Marfin Popular Bank, formed through the merger of Marfin Bank, Egnatia Bank, and Laiki Bank, is a South-eastern Europe-based bank with retail, private banking, and investment banking businesses operating in Cyprus, Greece, Serbia, Estonia, Romania, Ukraine, Australia, Russia, Malta, and the UK. It employs approximately 7,000 people worldwide and has total assets of over €29 billion. Through its predecessor institutions, it has been serving its Customers since 1901 and holds unique status as the first public company in Cyprus – in fact bringing the first incentive for creation of the Cyprus Stock Exchange.

Chris Lewis, Associate Partner at Drivers Jonas, said: “Marfin Popular Bank is committed to occupying in Mayfair and saw the opportunity to early let 12 Hay Hill off market as the ideal entry. It will provide one of Europe’s most rapidly growing banks with the highest quality, long term home”.

John Sutton, Managing Director of CREMS, said “We are delighted to have Marfin Popular Bank as the new tenant at Hay Hill. This has always been a really special headquarters building and the refurbishment that is currently being carried out reflects the quality of product we are looking to create, which has attracted a tenant of the quality of Marfin, and will provide us with long term secure income to our investors.

Marfin Popular Bank is advised by Drivers Jonas. CREMS is advised by CBRE.