London (CNN) -- Greece's banking sector is being snubbed by its European peers as the country's recession deepens.
And even as immediate fears about the country's exit from the eurozone fade on the latest austerity deal, the impact on Greece's banking sector -- deeply intertwined with the fate of the country itself -- will be long-lasting.
But a leading voice in the sector says the country's austerity measures are working, and Greece's remaining banks will emerge from the crisis in a stronger position.
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European banks have been offloading Greek subsidiaries as they seek to minimize exposure to the troubled country. Greek banks, knocked by losses imposed as part of the bailouts, are also facing recapitalization demands in return for cash assistance.
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Piraeus Bank, the country's fourth-largest bank, last month bought Geniki Bank from French bank Societe Generale. The sale price was 1 million euro, with Societe Generale also committing to expenditure of 444 million euros through an advance to Geniki and a subscription to a Piraeus Bank bond. The deal made a 130 million euro dent in Societe Generale's third-quarter earnings.
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French bank Credit Agricole also offloaded its Greek subsidiary, Emporiki, to Alpha Bank at a loss of 1.96 billion euros in October, a deal that then contributed to its third-quarter loss of 2.85 billion euros.
Alex Manos, managing director of Piraeus Bank, said banks' departures from Greece were driven by shareholder pressures. He told CNN: "They want out and want some quiet time, and will reconsider their options."
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But Greek banking maintains strong links with its European peers, even as they exit the country, Manos said. "We will continue to have relationships with other banks," he said.
He hopes as the macro risks decrease we "will eventually see banks coming back to invest in Greece." However, he added, "Societe Generale and Credit Agricole are not coming back to Greece anytime soon."
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Analysts point to the banks' exits from Greece as providing both positives and negatives for the country. While the Greek banking sector risks being marooned from its European peers, the exits ease the way for restructurings, they say.
According to Daiwa credit analyst Michael Symonds: "It is surely a negative that foreign lenders don't see a future for them in Greece [but] their exit will enable a faster and more comprehensive overhaul of the sector."
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Elisabeth Afseth, of Investec, agrees. "It is difficult to have a very positive view on Greek banking; consolidation is a positive, foreign flight is not." She added: "Threat of a second sovereign default remains."
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Manos points to government shareholdings as the greater risk for the Greek banking sector. Piraeus Bank lost 6.2 billion euros. pre-tax, on so-called "PSI," or cuts made to the value of Greek government debt. The losses pushed the bank toward state aid, an irony which creates a moral hazard, Manos said.
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"The more losses the government imposes on banks, the more it is rewarded with greater control in the banks," he said. This needs to be understood as the recapitalization process continues, he added.
However, Manos does support a drive from the troika -- made up of the European Central Bank, European Union and International Monetary Fund -- for significant structural reforms. "The public sector has to be streamlined," Manos said. "Everything that allows the private sector greater share in the economy needs to be implemented."
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His comments came as Greece continues to wait on a vital financial lifeline of 31.5 billion euros from its international lenders that will allow it to pay short-term debts and recapitalize its banks. The country has also been given two more years to meet its fiscal targets.
Manos remains positive about Greece's future in the eurozone. He believes the country will stay within the common currency bloc but adds: "The economy has to reach a point of stability soon."
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Riot police guard the Parliament building during a demonstration against austerity measures as Greek deputies consider a budget vote on November 11, 2012.
A portrait of German Chancellor Angela Merkel is roped and hung outside the Greek Parliament during a protest against austerity measures in Athens on November 11, 2012.
Protesters demonstrate outside the Greek parliament against the new austerity measures in Athens on November 11, 2012.
Greek Prime minister Antonis Samaras (R) votes yes for approval of the 2013 budget at the Greek parliament in Athens on November 12, 2012 .
A protester kicks away a tear gas canister during a demonstration in Athens on November 7, 2012.
A man runs away from clashes between protesters and riot police outside the parliament in Athens on November 7, 2012.
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A dog sleeps in a deserted commercial street in central Athens on November 7, 2012 during a 48-hour general strike.
Demonstrators stand in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens on November 7, 2012 during a 48-hour general strike.
Wheelchair users protest against a new government austerity bill in Thessaloniki on 7 November, 2012.
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Riot police stand guard as demonstrators march in front of the Greek parliament in central Athens during the protests on November 6, 2012.
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