Month: January 2026

Thanks to the generous support of HSBC Malta Foundation and Hudson Foundation, Inspire Foundation’s Learning in Context (LinC) will be installing a new extension to its Day School playground in 2026 at its Bulebel education building.

Launched in March 2019 with just 15 learners, the LinC programme today supports 45 children from Year 1 to Year 7 with exceptionally high support needs. Most of these children have been diagnosed with learning disabilities and communication difficulties. Unable to be catered for in mainstream school settings, they follow an adapted curriculum at LinC, delivered through a differentiated approach focused on functionality.

This playground which was financed by HSBC Malta Foundation and Hudson Group Foundation and installed early in 2025 has already had a transformative impact, with children showing significant improvements in regulation, calmness, and readiness to learn after their play sessions. Following the success achieved, Inspire is seeking to extend the resources available in this playground to provide additional sensory regulatory play equipment such as trampolines, a roundabout, swing seats and other sensory equipment – essential tools for stimulating the sense of balance and the position, movement of the body, thus reducing anxiety, and enhancing communication, learning, and behaviour.

When approached, HSBC Malta Foundation and Hudson Group Foundation immediately and enthusiastically agreed to support this extension to the playground to provide these young children with these additional resources that will be so beneficial to their needs.

Phase 2 of the playground project was officially launched by Alfie Borg from the Hudson Foundation at the HEART exhibition display at Mercury Shopping District, St Julian’s at the end of last year. 

“At HSBC Malta Foundation, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in an environment that supports their unique needs. By investing in the extension of the LinC playground, we are helping to create a space where children can regulate, learn, and grow with confidence,” said Geoffrey Fichte Chairperson for the HSBC Malta Foundation.

In conclusion Alfie Borg, Founder and Chairman for the Hudson Foundation commented, “Hudson Foundation is proud to continue supporting Inspire Foundation in its mission to provide inclusive and therapeutic learning environments. This playground extension is more than just equipment – it is an investment in the well-being, happiness, and future of these children”.

“This extension represents a crucial step forward in ensuring that our learners have access to facilities that meet their unique needs,” said Antonello Gauci, Chief Executive Officer, Inspire Foundation. “We are deeply grateful to HSBC Malta Foundation and Hudson Foundation for their continued support, which allows us to provide not only education but also the therapeutic and sensory tools that make learning possible.”

HSBC Malta Foundation has long been committed to supporting projects that cultivate inclusion, education, and community wellbeing. By financing initiatives such as the LinC playground, the Foundation continues to champion opportunities for children with diverse needs, ensuring they have access to environments that nurture their growth, independence, and quality of life.

Bank of Valletta (BOV) and the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners (IFSP) have signed a strategic agreement to further strengthen Malta’s financial services sector. This collaboration, formally endorsed by BOV CEO Kenneth Farrugia and IFSP President Nick Captur, will focus on knowledge sharing, professional development, and joint initiatives designed to advance the industry.

Through this partnership, BOV and IFSP will work closely to support and promote the interests of financial services professionals and organisations. The agreement aims to enhance skills and competencies across the sector, ensuring practitioners are well-equipped to meet evolving regulatory and market demands.

“Driving excellence and innovation within Malta’s financial services ecosystem has always been Bank of Valletta’s commitment,” said Kenneth Farrugia, BOV CEO. “As a leading financial institution, we recognise the importance of empowering professionals with the expertise needed to navigate an increasingly complex environment. By joining forces with IFSP, we are creating impactful opportunities for learning, growth, and thought leadership that will strengthen the sector and contribute to Malta’s economic progress.”

Nick Captur, President of IFSP, commented, “This partnership underscores the vital role of collaboration among key industry stakeholders in shaping the future of Malta’s financial services sector. By pooling our expertise and resources, we will deliver initiatives that not only enhance the sector’s resilience and competitiveness but also empower professionals to meet the challenges of a dynamic regulatory and global market landscape. The launch of the IFSP Directors Chapter, in collaboration with BOV, marks an important milestone in promoting good governance and training for directors.”

This strategic agreement represents a significant step forward in reinforcing Malta’s position as a leading financial services jurisdiction. By combining resources and expertise, Bank of Valletta and IFSP are committed to building a sustainable framework for professional excellence, regulatory compliance, and industry innovation with the aim to contribute to the long-term growth and competitiveness of the Maltese economy.

Bank of Valletta and The Malta Police Force have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, joining forces to raise awareness on financial crime and enhance protection for customers and society at large.

The MoU was signed by Kenneth Farrugia, CEO of Bank of Valletta and Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà in the presence of Ryan Caruana, Chief AFC Officer at Bank of Valletta and Assistant Commissioner Fabian Fleri who heads the Malta Police Financial Crime Investigations Department. The primary objective of this three-year agreement is to enhance the national resilience against financial crime through joint initiatives, promote public education and awareness to reduce victimisation, facilitate and secure the timely exchange of intelligence, strengthen investigative capabilities through shared expertise and training, and improve customer protection mechanisms through collaborative innovation.

Speaking during the signing event, which took place at the Financial Crime Investigations Department, Bank of Valletta CEO Kenneth Farrugia explained that this agreement rubber stamps the ongoing collaboration between BOV and the Malta Police Force over the years. “Financial Crime includes a wide spectrum of offences ranging from financing of terrorism, bribery, corruption, scams and fraud. We have been working closely with the Police to protect our customers and society at large from these serious offences by sharing information and working closely on ongoing investigations. With this partnership, we are going a step further by organising joint initiatives such as awareness campaigns and exploring ways to protect our society from the ever-changing tactics and trends of fraudsters and scammers.”

On his part, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà highlighted the changing nature of criminality and the importance of strong partnerships in addressing emerging risks. “Criminality is evolving rapidly, with financial crime increasingly operating in the digital space, where prevention and detection are significantly more complex. This shift demands that policing adapts beyond traditional approaches and works in close partnership with responsible private-sector stakeholders. This collaboration with Bank of Valletta reflects our commitment to improve our ability to detect, prevent and respond to emerging challenges proactively and effectively as outlined in our Corporate Strategy Safer Communities, Smarter Policing, placing prevention, intelligence, and shared responsibility at the heart of modern policing.”

The Memorandum of Understanding signifies a strategic alliance between BOV and the Malta Police Force, grounded in mutual trust and shared responsibility. Through this partnership, both parties are reaffirming their commitment to protecting the financial well-being of Maltese citizens and institutions alike.

This Christmas, the HSBC Malta Foundation once again brought the spirit of giving to life, supporting over 30 NGOs across Malta through one of its most impactful festive initiatives to date.

The Foundation coordinated a nationwide effort that transformed its executive boardroom into a central hub for generosity and collaboration, supported by HSBC Malta employees and four local schools who helped collect essential goods and gifts for those in need. Their combined contribution enabled the initiative to reach communities facing a wide range of social challenges during the festive season.

The support provided ranged from food, personal care items, educational materials, and children’s gifts. For the first time, monetary donations were extended to animal welfare organisations, recognising their vital role within Maltese society and the broader community.

Commenting on the initiative, Geoffrey Fichte, the CEO of HSBC Malta, on behalf of the HSBC Malta Foundation, said: “This Christmas initiative reflects our commitment to supporting communities across Malta. The collective effort of our employees, partner schools, and beneficiary organisations has allowed us to make a meaningful difference during a time when support matters most.”

Dorita Maniscalco, Head of St. Nicholas College, said: “Rabat Primary School contributed a generous donation of food items as part of the Reverse Advent Calendar initiative, supporting children in need during this festive season. This effort forms part of an HSBC campaign aimed at helping people in need, reflecting our commitment to community care and solidarity.”

Represenatvies from the participating schools also highlighted the importance of community involvement in initiatives such as this, noting the positive impact of engaging students in acts of generosity and social responsibility.

HSBC Malta employees further embodied the festive spirit by actively contributing time, resources, and creativity to support the Foundation’s efforts, reinforcing the importance of compassion and collective action.

The HSBC Malta Foundation’s Christmas initiative continues to grow as a meaningful annual tradition, demonstrating the lasting impact of collaboration and kindness, whilst spreading hope, warmth, and positivity across Malta during the holiday season.Bottom of Form

The four local schools which helped collect essential goods and gifts for those in need: St Dorothy’s Junior School; Primary School Rabat, St Nicholas College; St Francis Secondary School and St Joan Antide Primary School.

The NGOs which benefitted: AAA Malta Association; ALS Malta; Angela House; Building Bridges; Caritas Malta; Dar Hosea; Dar il-Kaptan; Dar tal-Providenza; Djakonija Zurrieq; Franciscan Welfare Association – Qawra; Inspire; Gzira Parish Church; LOOP; MSPCA; RISe; RMJ’s Horse Rescue; S.T.A.N.D.; Smiling with Jerome; SOAR; St Jean Antide Foundation; Suriet il-Bniedem; The Food Bank Life Line Foundation; The Foundation for the Ukrainian Community in Malta; The Island Sanctuary; The Life Network Foundation; The MCAST Outreach Services and Student Affairs; The Migrants Commission; The National Foster Care Association; The Optomist Club of Malta; The Soup Kitchen in Valletta; The Valletta Community Service, and YMCA.

Bank of Valletta achieved high commendations at the European Contact Centre & Customer Service Awards (ECCCSA), one of Europe’s most prestigious customer experience awards programmes. The Bank received commendations in two key categories: Best Customer Centric Culture and Best Customer Experience Redesign.

The recognition reflects the Bank’s sustained focus on embedding customer-centricity across the organisation, and on redesigning experiences that are simple, transparent, and aligned with the evolving expectations of customers.

In recent years, the Bank has been implementing a comprehensive, organisation-wide programme aimed at improving customer service. This programme is based on shared customer goals and includes initiatives that provide direct exposure to frontline service environments and create structured opportunities for employees at all levels to engage with customers. These efforts have been supported by service excellence training, alongside strengthened systems and processes to ensure that customer insights are translated into meaningful improvements.

The commendation for Best Customer Experience Redesign recognises the Bank’s innovative approach to engaging younger audiences through TikTok. Rather than using the platform as a traditional marketing channel, Bank of Valletta repositioned it as a customer touchpoint, co-creating content with GenZ audiences to deliver financial knowledge in a clear, accessible, and culturally relevant manner. The commendation recognised how two-way dialogue can be achieved while maintaining strong governance, compliance, and brand integrity.

Commenting on the achievement, Theodoros Papadopoulos, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Bank of Valletta, said, “This recognition reflects the deliberate work of our teams and the trust our customers place in us. It confirms that when we design with empathy and view every decision through a customer lens, we create sustainable value both for the organisation and for the people we serve.”

Now in their 25th year, the European Contact Centre & Customer Service Awards are the largest and longest-running customer experience awards in Europe. They celebrate organisations that demonstrate excellence in customer service through innovation, leadership and measurable impact.