Instability elsewhere in Europe has people looking at their own personal finances.

People with home loan debts are pleased by the low interest rates that banks are now charging, but many wonder if economic instability in the eurozone may affect their jobs. Banks say that very few small investors have even asked how their portfolios might be impacted if Greece moves to withdraw from the common currency.

The spectre of bankruptcy hangs over more than one eurozone country, but the crisis in Greece is the most obvious. Despite the economic bond created by sharing the euro, few Finns believe that shockwaves will be felt here.

"From the point of view of our clients, the situation in Greece has little weight. The questions we get are mostly about people's own financial health," says Tommi Grönlund of Sampo Bank.

Some worries

A random sampling of opinion from shoppers at shopping centre in Vantaa brings different replies. Many say that they are indeed keeping an eye on the general European economy and the increasingly bleak situation in Greece, and wondering if their own personal finances will be affected.

One shopper, Seija Lappalainen, says that she has already taken steps to buffer herself against a Greek collapse and the subsequent impact on the European economy.

"We have been paying off our loans as fast as we can so that we won't have a big debt. We haven't taken on any extra credit. For some reason, since we both work, our bank has been pushing offers of more credit. Apparently the banks aren't terribly worried about this," explains Lappalainen.

Jari Koivula, a resident of Järvenpää, believes that a Greek bankruptcy would have an impact in Finland, since the instability in the eurozone is already having consequences.

"At least as concerns jobs. A lot of customers have already gone out of business, for example industrial companies. There is clearly an impact."

Veijo Vallenius from Hämeenlinna sees it in the same way.

"I work in the construction sector. If people's finances and their keenness to invest contracts, it will be seen very quickly in construction, as well."

Something positive

As a result of economic uncertainties, people with home loans are enjoying low interest rates.

"Of course I'm happy that home loan rates are pleasingly low at the moment," says Anne Välimaa from Mäntsälä.

"On the one hand interest rates are low, but what if you lose your job? Then that's not much help," points out Jari Koivula, another shopper from Järvenpää.

Uncertainty in Greece has been continuing so long that many people have become numb to the situation. Stock market share prices have fallen, but according to banks, few small investors have even inquired about alternative investment targets.

Leading European politicians have started viewing Greece’s withdrawal from the eurozone as a real possibility. For the Finns, the prospect does not appear to be a source of serious concern. Many people are still heading to Greece for holidays, just taking more cash when they do.