Month: April 2026

Eighteen students were inducted to the Dean’s List of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Malta, which Bank of Valletta has been proudly sponsoring since its inception 30 years ago. This award recognises students who achieved remarkable grades, including ‘A’ grades in at least 80 credits, during the first two years of their course. The students were presented with a commemorative certificate and a monetary grant by the Bank.

Congratulating the students on behalf of Bank of Valletta, Charles Azzopardi, Head of CSR, Events & Business Alliances, said that it is an honour for the Bank to have supported this award ceremony continuously since its beginning. He added, “Our long‑standing support of the Dean’s List Awards reflects the Bank’s continued commitment to education and excellence. Through initiatives such as this sponsorship, the Bank continues to contribute meaningfully to the communities we serve.”

Presenting the students, Professor Dominic Fenech, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, explained how the demanding criteria meant that only truly outstanding students could make it into the list. Noting that students were not competing with each other, but satisfying a set of objective criteria, he observed that the number of students qualified to join the List had grown over the years, which was an indication of the quality of the Faculty’s students. He also noted that the geographical distribution of the students’ addresses indicated that the best students did not necessarily come from the more reputedly prosperous areas.

The students qualified to join the Dean’s List 2026 are:

• David Attard – B.A. English and Maltese
• Lucienne Romina Binot – B.A. Communication Studies and Psychology
• Hale Bonello – B.A. French and German
• Estella Camilleri – B.A. Psychology and Sociology
• Judy Cordina – B.A. Honours Philosophy with Geography
• Samuel Cedric Farrugia – B.A. Honours European and Global History with International Relations
• Nina Galea – B.A. Honours History of Art with Psychology
• Gaia Grima – B.A. Honours Fine Arts with History of Art
• William Warren Levy – B.A. Honours European and Global History with International Relations
• Catherine Limbada – B.A. Psychology and Sociology
• Nathan Anthony Pace – B.A. Honours Maltese with Linguistics
• Daria Ponomarova – B.A. Honours International Relations Student with Communication Studies
• Marco Porsella Flores – B.A. Honours History with Humanities
• Shaun Michael Portelli – B.A. Honours Music Studies with French
• Matthew Pulis – B.A. Honours Philosophy with Psychology
• Anneleize Emily Strauss – B.A. Honours International Relations with Communication Studies
• Adam John Vassallo – B.A. Honours European and Global History with International Relations
• Maria Wróblewska – B.A. Honours History of Art with Psychology

The HSBC Malta Foundation, in collaboration with the Foundation for Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee, is pleased to announce the release of Katerina the Honey Bee (Bizz Bizz Bizz), the English adaptation of the much-loved Maltese song In-Naħla Katerina.

Sponsored by the HSBC Malta Foundation, this new version builds on the success of the original release and continues to promote environmental awareness about Malta’s National Insect, the Maltese Honey Bee, which is currently on the verge of extinction. The song was officially launched on 21 March 2026 to coincide with World Down Syndrome Day, during a special event.

On this special occasion, the HSBC Malta Foundation and the KNM Foundation joined forces with the non-governmental organisation S.T.A.N.D. (Striving Towards Ability Not Disability), together with its beloved mascot Katerina, during a weekend break activity. The event created a meaningful and enriching experience for all participants, blending education, music, and inclusion.

Glenn Bugeja, representing the HSBC Malta Foundation, stated: “The activity held special significance as it took place on World Down Syndrome Day, highlighting the importance of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunities. It was a beautiful reminder that awareness initiatives can bridge communities and celebrate diversity in meaningful ways. At the same time, this activity served to raise awareness about our fragile environment and the importance of protecting the local honey bee.”

Dylan Farrugia, President of the KNM Foundation, explained: “Through this initiative, the KNM Foundation continues its mission of raising awareness in an accessible and engaging manner, reaching audiences of all ages and abilities. I would like to thank the HSBC Malta Foundation for believing in our mission to conserve this unique insect. Their support enables us to reach wider audiences and further strengthen awareness about the Maltese Honey Bee.”

In bringing together music, education, and inclusion, this initiative highlights how collaborative efforts can make a meaningful impact. By raising awareness about both social inclusion and environmental protection, the new song serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of safeguarding the Maltese Honey Bee for future generations, while also helping to reach international audiences and further bridge communities through a shared message of inclusion and sustainability.

HSBC Malta has launched eight new HSBC Life Malta (HLM) LifeCycle Funds within its pension offering across the Retirement Pension Plan – Unit Linked and the Employee Pension Plan. The launch strengthens HSBC Malta’s retirement proposition and supports customers in building long-term financial security.

HLM LifeCycle Funds are designed to make retirement planning easier by linking the investment approach to a customer’s expected retirement date. Each fund aligns to a target retirement period, typically in five-year steps. The funds follow a defined “glidepath”, meaning the asset mix automatically evolves over time, starting with a stronger focus on growth and gradually shifting towards more conservative investments as retirement approaches, thus helping to balance growth potential and risk throughout the customer’s journey.

For customers, the key benefit is simplicity. Rather than actively managing investments, customers can select a fund that matches their retirement timeframe, with the reassurance that risk is automatically adjusted as they get closer to their retirement. This supports disciplined long-term savings and is particularly helpful for customers who prefer a professionally managed option.

Josef Camilleri, Head of Products and Distribution at HSBC Life Malta said, “LifeCycle Funds make retirement investing simpler for customers, all they need to do is choose a target retirement timeframe and the fund automatically adjusts risk over time, helping customers stay on track for long-term financial security.”

Konrad Borg Myatt, Head of Wealth and Customer Solutions at HSBC Bank commented, “These funds provide an additional way to support more tailored retirement conversations. As part of the suitability process, advisors can recommend the most appropriate HLM fund based on the person’s circumstances, time horizon, and risk profile.” For more information, customers are invited to visit any HSBC Malta branch and speak to a member of the team or click here.

Aviation Malta and Bank of Valletta (BOV) co-hosted a high-level business breakfast at The Phoenicia Malta, bringing together industry leaders, investors, and corporate stakeholders to explore Malta’s competitive advantages and the evolving landscape of specialised business banking.

Aviation Malta was set up in 2019, and plays a key role in the sector’s growth and development, helping Malta emerge as a popular hub for aviation and business.

The event was opened by Kenneth Farrugia, Chief Executive Officer of BOV, who set the tone for the morning by highlighting Malta’s continued economic resilience, the important role of the aviation sector within the national economy, and the bank’s commitment to supporting business growth through tailored financial solutions.

A presentation was delivered by Aldo Scardino, responsible for BOV’s international corporate banking function as well as Specialised Business Banking, who outlined the strategic objectives underpinning the Bank’s specialised business banking proposition.

The session focused on four key pillars:

• Positioning Malta as a Business Destination: Attendees were presented with an overview of Malta’s strong economic fundamentals, strategic geographic location, and stable regulatory framework, reinforcing its attractiveness for international investment and business expansion.
• Banking System and Regulatory Environment: Participants gained insights into Malta’s well-capitalised and highly regulated banking sector, operating within the European Central Bank framework, ensuring stability, transparency, and compliance with international standards.
• Why Bank of Valletta: The presentation highlighted BOV’s role as Malta’s leading banking institution, emphasising its robust financial performance, strong capital position, and long-standing market leadership as a trusted partner for businesses.
• BOV as a Strategic Banking Partner: The session concluded with a focus on how BOV supports businesses through specialised banking services, sector expertise, and a relationship-driven approach designed to meet the evolving needs of both local and international clients in the aviation industry.

Kenneth Farrugia highlighted aviation’s key role in Malta’s economic resilience and growth, noting Bank of Valletta’s commitment to supporting the sector with targeted financial solutions. He emphasised that Malta’s location offers opportunities in both aviation and maritime, which can be unlocked through collaboration. Farrugia concluded that coordinated development, as seen in financial services, would benefit all stakeholders.

Aldo Scardino noted that Malta is a strong, credible jurisdiction that competes well with top EU financial centres. He emphasised Bank of Valletta’s conservative, well-capitalised, and highly liquid business model, which supports long-term stability for international clients. Mr Scardino added that the bank views corporate service providers as key long-term partners in serving mutual clients.

The business breakfast forms part of ongoing collaborative efforts between Aviation Malta and Bank of Valletta to promote Malta as a premier hub for international business and investment, while strengthening engagement with key industry stakeholders.

A dedicated performance for the children of Bank employees underscores BOV’s commitment to holistic employee well-being and work-life balance, supported through the BOV Foundation and the Bank’s long-standing patronage of the arts.

“At Bank of Valletta, we believe in holistic well-being, that includes the time and space to be present for family, to connect with one another, and to create positive experiences beyond the workplace,” said Ernest Agius, Chief Operations Officer at BOV and Deputy Chair of the BOV Foundation. “Through the BOV Foundation and our long-standing patronage of the arts, we are proud to support initiatives like TOI TOI that enrich our community, while also reinforcing the kind of workplace culture that helps our people thrive.”

The performance formed part of TOI TOI’s Easter run, staged between the 4^th and 6^th April, and was hosted at Teatru Manoel as a dedicated family event for Bank employees.

The event formed part of the Bank’s wider community and culture agenda, championed through the BOV Foundation, which supports initiatives that strengthen quality of life and enrich the communities the Bank serves. By bringing families together in a shared cultural experience, the Bank continues to promote a more inclusive workplace culture, one that recognises employees not only as professionals, but also as parents and caregivers.

Held at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta, the TOI TOI Easter Concert Movie Magic, the sixth edition of TOI TOI’s annual family event, featured an engaging selection of film music performed live, creating an accessible introduction to theatre and orchestral performance for younger audiences.

The programme included music from E.T., Star Wars, Avengers, Shrek and Harry Potter, as well as singalong moments inspired by popular titles from Disney, Netflix, Universal and Pixar. The concert featured the TOI TOI orchestral ensemble and a cast of young singers, joined by special guests, delivering a family-friendly performance that encourages children to engage with the performing arts and builds confidence through live cultural experiences.

The production featured music direction by Tom Newall and choreography by Warren Bonello. It was written and directed by Kate Fenech Field, with contributions from emerging directors Faye Mallia and Nicole Sciberras, reflecting TOI TOI’s commitment to developing artistic talent on stage and behind the scenes.

Since 2000, Bank of Valletta has continuously supported the theatre’s annual operatic production, reinforcing its role as a patron of the arts and contributing to a vibrant cultural calendar that creates opportunities for local artists to perform alongside established international talent.

Bank of Valletta is delighted to be shortlisted for an ICA Compliance Award for Financial Crime Prevention Project of the Year. The ICA Compliance Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements, collaboration, and innovation of the compliance and financial crime prevention teams across the globe.

Following a thorough judging process, Bank of Valletta was shortlisted, ahead of the official awards ceremony to be held on 25^th June 2026.

The Financial Crime Prevention Project of the Year entry detailed the outstanding work of the Bank, showcasing its transaction monitoring transformation project and reflecting the material enhancements achieved in terms of strengthened controls, effectiveness, and the tangible benefits realised following the changeover.

Kenneth Farrugia, BOV Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the announcement that the Bank has been shortlisted as a finalist for this award. Commenting on the nomination, Mr Farrugia said: “This recognition is a strong affirmation of the Bank’s unwavering commitment to the highest standards of compliance, integrity and responsible banking. While our front-line teams remain fully focused on delivering core banking services, supported by dedicated specialist units, we attach equal importance to safeguarding the Bank’s reputation and protecting its brand. A robust and resolute approach to combating financial crime, alongside full compliance with an increasingly demanding regulatory environment at both local and international levels, remains central to our long-term sustainability. This commitment underpins the trust placed in us by our customers, shareholders, correspondent banks and international credit rating agencies.”

Ryan Caruana, BOV Group Chief Anti-Financial Crime Officer & MLRO, commented, “Bank of Valletta’s shortlisting as a finalist at the ICA Awards for Financial Crime Prevention Project of the Year recognises the Bank’s strong journey in enhancing and modernising its financial crime prevention framework. This achievement provides important external validation by the International Compliance Association of the Bank’s ongoing commitment to effective, robust financial crime controls.”

ICA’s President, Pekka Dare commented: “On behalf of ICA, I would like to personally thank everyone who entered the ICA Compliance Awards Europe. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Bank of Valletta on being shortlisted as a finalist in the category of Financial Crime Prevention Project of the Year. All of the entrants represent the very best of what our industry has to offer, and I am looking forward to welcoming all our finalists to the awards ceremony on 25 June in London.”

The judging panel was made up of a diverse range of highly influential and respected figures within the compliance and financial crime prevention community. This includes: Lisa Bennett, Legal Compliance Director, Mastercard; Shyam Kotecha, Chief Compliance Officer, MLRO & Director, M T Finance; Jon Duffy, Senior Vice President, Corporate Assurance & Regulatory Affairs, Genting Casinos UK; Caroline Braddock, Ethics and Compliance Officer, Rolls-Royce; Anthony Davies, Senior Compliance Manager, AXA Health and more.