The paper examines the evaluation of the significance of the criteria that influence two groups of investors, who reside in different areas of Greece, in selecting their investments: (a) Investors from a metropolitan city (Athens) and (b) investors from regional Greece (Peloponnese). The study is grounded in the current and potential criteria and sub-criteria influencing investors in selecting financial investment products. The methodology applied in order to satisfy the research aims is the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The quantitative research analysis is based on a sample of data collected via a questionnaire answered by a sample of key experts: Specifically, bank executives specialized in financial investment products. The general conclusions stemming from the comparative study are: Metropolitan city Investors (MIs) are more experienced, more dispassionate, more patient and conservative than the Regional Investors. Furthermore, the MIs are more tolerant, provident and informed. The Regional Investors (RIs) can be perceived as more enthusiastic and interested in taking risks than the MIs, but they also appear to feel less secure when it comes to investing. Future research should address larger number of participants from other metropolitan cities and regions and, eventually, from other countries.

The paper examines and tries to establish the ranking of the criteria that determine the selection of a higher educational institute' department by the prospect students in Greece. The methodology applied in order to satisfy the research aim is the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The case study concerns two groups of students. One group consists of students of the central Greek technological educational institute situated in Athens and another from peripheral tertiary institution situated in the region of Epirus. The results confirm that the ranking of students' selection criteria is different in two investigating groups. Most students from the central educational institutions seem to be attracted by 'financial factors' with 'family income' being the decisive sub-criterion, while the selection of a peripheral department is more affected by 'personal factors' among which 'life quality' and 'leisure time options' are the most important.

Many proposals favouring cash abolition have emerged over the past few years. Their economic and social impact has not yet been analysed in depth. This paper aims to present the evolution of the means of payment during the last decades and to analyse the issue of cash abolition in European economies. The creation of a cashless economy would bring benefits, such as efficiency increase, as well as problems: the disturbance of money supply, instability of the foreign exchange rate, and so on. The paper discusses the reasons and arguments expressed by supporters and opponents of cash abolition and focuses on possible consequences, from the economic point of view. The advantages, disadvantages, benefits and costs associated with the possibility of removing cash from the economy are also described. Finally, a possible scenario for the future is analysed.

The significant repercussions of the recent crisis in the financial sector and the real economy have led to the development of policies aimed at strengthening the stability of the international banking system. Banking regulatory reforms (Basel III) improve micro-prudential supervision and involve macro-prudential supervision to avoid systemic risk. Capital requirements are tightening up and the quality of core capital is upgraded in order to provide greater coverage of losses and better risk management. In addition, a new framework for liquidity risk is introduced, as well as a complementary tool for limiting leverage. Recently, an agreement was reached in the EU to establish a Banking Union in the Eurozone, based on uniform regulation, supervision, bank clearing and deposit protection mechanisms. This framework includes a common banking capital for bank consolidation, which aims to reduce the impact on savers. This study aims to analyse the banking sector's activities and the constituent elements of the existing regulatory framework, particularly those involved in the causes of the financial crisis. It also aims to present the dimensions of the new regulatory framework for joint supervision leading to the European Banking Union and to analyse the pillars that form it, even though they are still in progress. The analysis will also build on the experiences from the recent crisis, in order to reach clear conclusions about the necessity and role of the Banking Union.

The main objective of this study is to examine the performance of Greek banking sector and to identify the main problems and prospects of Greek banks. The analysis used the data from financial statements and statistical materials of four biggest commercial banks in Greece. The main methodology is CAMELS model. The paper is organized as follows: after the introduction, we briefly present the macroeconomic situation and the evolution of banking sector structure in Greece. This is followed by the presentation of research methodology and the data sources used in the analysis. The results are presented and discussed in next section. We conclude with study limitations and further opportunities for research.