The stress test results for Eurozone banks including Greece's 4 systemic banks were officially released yesterday by the European Central Bank (ECB).

Of 130 banks tested, 105 passed the tests successfully; 25 could not meet the required capital limit of 5.5 percent. In Greece, Alpha Bank passed the stress tests successfully while Piraeus, National and Eurobank passed provisionally. According to the ECB, of the 25 banks, 12 had already covered their capital needs, as they had proceeded to a capital increase totaling 15 billion euros in 2014. Piraeus Bank belongs to the group of 12.

In a written statement, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras expressed his satisfaction over the results and said: "The stress tests of Greek banks exceeded every expectation. We are now exiting the crisis step by step, on strong foundations. This is the only way to create a new Greece which is proud, financially strong and socially just. Nobody must be allowed to interrupt this course.