European markets are trading lower on Thursday with banking shares leading losses, with the sector on focus on increasing uncertainty about Greece, and the potential consequences for the financial sector if Greece ends up leaving the Eurozone.

Eurostoxx 50 Index dips 0.65%, while the German DAX Index drops 1.15% and the French CAC Indexes drops 0.6% each, and the UK FTSE Index trades 0.5% lower one hour after the opening bell.

Investors remain restless after Greece announcement a referendum to endorse the Eurozone bailout plan on December 4, which has been understood as the crucial vote for Greece to continue on the Eurozone, raising serious concerns about a negative outcome, as Greece's exit from the Euro Area will produce a messy default hitting severely the region banking system as well as other troubled EU countries, such as Italy or Spain.

The banking sector is leading losses today, weighed by uncertainty about Greece and weaker than expected quarterly earnings figures by BNP Paribas, which announced a 72% net income drop, weighed by its exposure to Italian and Greek debt.

In currency markets Euro and Pound are attempting to bottom after recent sell-offs. EUR/USD has found support at 1.3655, and the pair is trimming losses, reaching session highs at 1.3760, while the GBP/USD retreat from 1.6050 has been contained at 1.5875 to bounce up to 1.590 on early European session. The USD/JPY remains trading sideways between 78.00 and 78.20..