Greece's top lender National Bank on Wednesday reported a net loss of 2.14 billion euros ($2.75 billion) for 2012 while Alpha Bank said it had sustained a net loss of 1.09 billion euros over the same period. National Bank, which recently completed a merger with number two lender Eurobank, said total assets stood at 104.8 billion euros with deposits at 58.7 billion euros. New number-two Alpha Bank, which acquired smaller lender Emporiki Bank from France's Credit Agricole, had 76.5 billion euros in assets and 41.4 billion euros in deposits.

French bank Credit Agricole could cut another 1,400 jobs in 2013 at its regional branches, the daily Les Echos said Monday, but unions said no figures had yet been decided. Citing an internal document, the business daily said that Credit Agricole's regional branches expected only half of departing employees would be replaced in 2013, leading to a staff cut of 1,418 posts. The bank declined to comment when contacted by AFP. A union representative confirmed the figures to AFP, but said they were based on projections made in November and were likely to change.

French bank Credit Agricole said Wednesday it posted a record 6.47 billion euro ($8.7 billion) loss for 2012 after booking a massive fourth quarter charge but was now "turning the page". The bank said it would be launching a three-year strategic plan aimed at saving 650 million euros. In the fourth quarter alone, the bank posted a loss of 3.98 billion euros, mostly due to exceptional items. Part of the loss, 838 million euros, was due to Credit Agricole's exit from its Greek bank Emporiki.

French bank Credit Agricole said Wednesday it posted a record 6.47 billion euro loss for 2012 after booking a massive fourth quarter charge. The bank said it would be launching a three-year strategic plan aimed at saving 650 million euros. tu/txw/pvh CREDIT AGRICOLE SA