Greek shipping lender Piraeus Bank has slashed its non-performing exposure (NPE) by a "significant" EUR 5.5bn ($6.17bn) in 2018.

In its annual report, the bank also said impairment losses on loans was down from EUR 2.02bn in 2017 to EUR 599m last year.

It sealed new loans of EUR 3.1bn in 2018.

The cost of risk improved to 157 basis points (bps), down from 479 bps in 2017.