Marfin group founder Vgenopoulos passed away

Andreas Vgenopoulos, the lawyer turned businessman who founded one of Greece’s largest holding groups, died at the age of 63 early on Saturday following a heart attack.

Vgenopoulos was the founder of Marfin Investment Group, which owned a number of businesses in Greece and southeastern Europe.

These still include the Vivartia food company, the Attica Group ferry operator and the Singular Logic information systems firm.

Vgenopoulos, born in Athens in 1953, was a champion fencer who took part in the 1972 Olympics.

He went on to set up a law firm before becoming involved in business and banking.

His involvement in banking on Cyprus led to a judicial investigation.

Vgenopoulos was the head of the now-defunct Laiki Bank, which was accused of corrupt lending prices, allegations that Vgenopoulos had firmly denied.

Cypriot Attorney General Costas Clerides said on Saturday that the investigations into alleged wrongdoing at the bank would continue.