Author: Mel Chamber

Bank of Valletta has just opened a new branch in Mosta. Situated just a few meters away from its prior location, the new branch at 31-33 Constitution Street symbolises the Bank’s commitment to improving the customer experience and upgrading the service it offers throughout its branch network across Malta and Gozo. An inauguration ceremony was held to commemorate this occasion, presided over by BOV Chairperson, Dr Gordon Cordina, and the Bank’s CEO, Kenneth Farrugia.

The branch features full cash service facilities, a 24-hour lobby, and two ATMs, including a bulk-deposit ATM aimed at business clients. This five-storey branch includes soundproof meeting rooms to ensure client confidentiality, which remains one of BOV’s top priorities, as well as an archives and services area in the basement. It also incorporates sustainable features, such as the use of second-class water and intelligent lighting. Structural works, which took one year to complete, were carried out to enhance the building’s safety and accessibility.

The new branch is the tenth BOV branch to showcase the contemporary and modern aesthetic that defines the Bank’s Branch Renovation Programme. It has been designed with a strong emphasis on customer experience, carefully planned to foster a welcoming atmosphere, promoting both functionality and comfort.

During the inauguration, the Bank’s CEO, Kenneth Farrugia, stated that, “The new branch exemplifies our commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, and at the same time provides an enhanced and more personalised service experience to our customers. With 32 branches and 94 ATMs across Malta and Gozo, BOV remains the most physically present bank in Malta, reflecting our promise to keep the customer at the centre of everything we do. In parallel, we are currently taking forward a project that will see the Bank launch a new internet and mobile banking channel by the end of this year, which will provide our customers with a significantly enhanced suite of functionalities.

Together with our commitment towards customers, we are equally committed to providing our staff with the best possible work environment. We are making a significant investment in our people, and our modernised premises reflect this commitment towards staff well-being, creating a space that our branch staff can take pride in.”

Dr Gordon Cordina, Chairperson of BOV, said, “The community remains an important stakeholder of the Bank. We have always been closely connected with the wider community, and since our founding, we have played a significant role in the lives of most people in Malta. As one of the main pillars of the economy and society at large, we work hard to make a difference by empowering personal and business customers and supporting their sustainable growth. This new branch in the heart of the community will serve as an important centre-point for this growth.”

Present at the inauguration were Chief Personal and Wealth Officer Simon Azzopardi, Chief Operations Officer Ernest Agius and Branch Manager Claudia Chetcuti and her team.

Three priceless religious paintings – known as sottoquadri – from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces Church in Żabbar have been beautifully restored with the support of Bank of Valletta. The paintings, two of which are by the renowned 20th-century Italian artist Giovanni Battista Conti, were officially inaugurated during a ceremony held on Saturday 31st May 2025.

The restoration is part of an ongoing commitment by the Bank to preserve Malta’s rich cultural and religious heritage. “At Bank of Valletta, we believe in giving back to our communities and safeguarding the artistic and cultural treasures that define us as a nation,” said Ernest Agius, the Bank’s Chief Operations Officer. “The paintings – The Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saint Paul, and Sacro Cuore – have deep spiritual and historical significance for the people of Żabbar, and we are proud to be part of this important project, restoring works of art that continue to inspire generations of both faithful and visitors.”

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, located at the Altar of Our Lady of the Rosary, was painted in 1949 by Conti. This vibrant work symbolises divine love, with Jesus shown with open arms and the Grand Harbour in the background – a touching nod to the community’s roots.

Saint Paul, found directly beneath the titular painting of Our Lady of Graces, reflects Żabbar’s historical devotion to the saint. Though the artist remains unknown, the sottoquadro is believed to date back to the early 20th century and holds a place of honour within the Sanctuary.

Sacro Cuore, another 1949 masterpiece by Conti, features the Virgin Mary with the child Jesus, both crowned and surrounded by celestial clouds – a tender depiction of divine royalty.

These intricate oil-on-canvas paintings were meticulously restored by the dedicated team of conservators at ASC Conservation Centre Ltd, under the direction of lead conservator and founder Amy Sciberras, a dedicated professional with a deep appreciation for sacred art. “This restoration was not just about reviving old paint – it was also about preserving stories, faith, and identity,” said Sciberras. “Conti’s works, in particular, are incredibly moving. His brushwork breathes life into each figure, capturing a timeless spiritual essence.”

Fr Roderick Camilleri, Parish Priest at the Sanctuary said, “We are truly grateful to Bank of Valletta for their continued support and to all who made this restoration possible. These paintings are true symbols of devotion and reminders of the deep roots of faith in our community,”

This initiative also carries added significance as the community marks the 50th anniversary of the tragic 1975 RAF Vulcan bomber crash – a poignant reminder of the strength and resilience of Żabbar and its people.

HSBC Malta has reaffirmed its commitment to social responsibility through its collaboration with Servizz Għożża, a national support service for young mothers. As part of the Bank’s ongoing initiatives to empower individuals with financial and career skills, HSBC representatives have engaged directly with participants in a two-part career development intervention, focusing on CV writing, interview preparation, and mock interviews.

The sessions, held in collaboration with the Wellbeing Services Directorate, provided practical guidance to young mothers seeking to improve their education and employment prospects. The first session introduced essential skills for crafting effective CVs and preparing for job interviews. A follow-up session allowed participants to experience a mock interview process, where an HSBC representative joined a professional panel to provide real-time feedback and career advice.

Glenn Bugeja, Head of Corporate Sustainability at HSBC Malta, expressed the bank’s commitment to supporting young people in their career journeys. “At HSBC Malta, we believe that financial and career literacy are key to fostering independence and empowerment. Through our partnership with Servizz Għożża, we aim to equip young mothers with the necessary skills to secure employment and build a better future for themselves and their families.”

The career guidance team from Wellbeing Services Directorate, highlighted the positive impact of the initiative. “The sessions at Servizz Għożża have been incredibly engaging, with participants showing enthusiasm and a strong willingness to learn. Practical career guidance is crucial in giving them the confidence to take the next steps towards further education or training and employment.”

Servizz Għożża provides holistic support to young mothers, helping them navigate personal and professional challenges. HSBC Malta’s involvement forms part of its broader corporate sustainability efforts to enhance employability, financial literacy, and social inclusion across Malta.

“The role and magnitude of the Maritime Industry in Malta is not appreciated enough and the National Maritime strategy currently in the works will help align the goals of all stakeholders and unlock its full potential.” This message was delivered by Kenneth Farrugia, Chief Executive Officer at Bank of Valletta during the Consultation on the National Maritime Transport Strategy conference organised by the Malta Maritime Forum.

Malta’s Maritime and Financial Services sectors have experienced remarkable transformation over the past decades. The maritime industry, once rooted in defence shipbuilding, has evolved into a thriving ecosystem supported by professional services, financial institutions, and a robust regulatory framework. Today, it contributes a growing double-digit share to the national GDP and holds vast potential for further expansion. Similarly, the financial services sector has advanced beyond traditional banking to offer cutting-edge digital solutions, positioning Malta as a leading hub for innovation and financial excellence.

“As Malta’s largest Bank of systemic importance to the economy, the Bank is playing a key transformative role in the Maritime industry by embedding a culture of ESG principles into its financial offerings. This strategic focus is helping to greenify the industry and support sustainable maritime operations,” continued BOV’s CEO.

Recognising the limited availability of shipping finance in Malta, Mr Farrugia revealed that the Bank is currently exploring the potential of syndicated financing within the maritime space. This initiative is being pursued in the wake of the recent modernisation of Malta’s maritime legal framework – paving the way for more flexible and investor-friendly financing structures.

“As an active supporter of the Malta Maritime Forum, Bank of Valletta continues to promote dialogue and collaboration among all the different stakeholders of this most important industry and we emphasise the importance of unity in driving sector-wide progress,” concluded Mr Farrugia.

‘Moving with the wind, like waves’ – a contemporary exhibition at the Inquisitor’s Palace

Bank of Valletta and curator Elyse Tonna are inviting contemporary artists to participate in an open call for ‘Moving with the Wind, Like Waves,’ a contemporary art project culminating in a site-specific collective exhibition that will be held at the Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu in November 2025.

The call is open for emerging and mid-career contemporary artists or collectives based in Malta between Saturday, 7th June 2025, and noon Tuesday, 1st July 2025. Artists are invited to submit conceptual frameworks for new, large-scale interventions that will be developed in dialogue with the curator and the site. Rather than proposing finished works, artists/collectives are asked to respond to the layered, often unseen qualities of the site, producing work that is site-specific, adaptive and embedded in context.

“Moving with the Wind, Like Waves is both a curatorial framework and a methodology – one that invites artists to engage with what often remains unnoticed or undocumented,” says Elyse Tonna. “The process values adaptability, attentiveness, and conceptual depth, encouraging artists to think with the site and propose work that resonates with its less visible layers. Contemporary art interventions on historic sites can open up new ways of relating to them – not through direct representation, but through gestures that uncover subtler meanings and connections.”

The initiative forms part of Bank of Valletta’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme, which continues to support the growth and visibility of Malta’s contemporary art community. Ernest Agius, Chief Operations Officer at BOV, states, “This contemporary art project highlights the Bank’s long-standing commitment to supporting the arts and fostering cultural dialogue in Malta. As a staunch supporter of local culture and the arts, BOV is proud to launch this exhibition, which promises to be a unique platform where artists can express themselves and bring contemporary art closer to the general public.”

The curatorial framework, full guidelines, and submission form are available here. Selected artists will receive curatorial mentorship, production support, and a project budget. The collective exhibition will be accompanied by a publication and public programme. For questions, applicants may contact the team on mwwlw.exhibition@gmail.com by 23 June 2025.

This contemporary art project is commissioned and supported by BOV and is being developed and curated by Elyse Tonna, a curator and architect whose interdisciplinary practice focuses on site-specific, research-led approaches to contemporary art.

The HSBC Malta Foundation has continued its long-standing commitment to financial education by delivering the fifth interactive workshop as part of its Financial Capability Project for mental health service users. The most recent session, held at Mount Carmel Hospital, forms part of an ongoing series tailored to the unique needs of individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges.

The latest session was delivered by Josef Camilleri, Head of Products and Distribution at HSBC Life Assurance (Malta) Ltd., and lead of the Climate Action Network Financial Literacy Programme at HSBC Malta. The session was conducted for a group of individuals currently awaiting admission to rehabilitation programmes, all of whom are receiving care from the Dual Diagnosis Unit. The participants, many of whom have experienced profound financial and social hardship, engaged enthusiastically in discussions around saving, spending priorities, and planning for the future.

Now in its ninth cohort, the project is designed to promote financial resilience and literacy among some of the most vulnerable individuals in society. The initiative focuses on interactive and informal sessions that blend practical tools with real-life examples, encouraging open dialogue and personal reflection.

“These sessions are a vital part of our commitment to supporting the wider community through financial education,” said Glenn Bugeja on behalf of the HSBC Malta Foundation “It’s always humbling to see how people—despite facing serious life challenges—show real willingness to learn, grow, and regain control of their finances.”

Ruth Bajada, Higher Allied Health Practitioner and Occupational Therapist expressed her appreciation for the continued collaboration: “These individuals have faced immense hardship, yet their openness and participation show the importance of these workshops. The fact that they are now thinking about saving and giving back to their families is a powerful testament to the impact of this project.”

In addition, a dedicated financial literacy session was organised for a group of Occupational Therapists.  Through the knowledge gained during this session, the occupational therapists will be better equipped to support participants in the various workshops they lead as part of their professional roles

The HSBC Malta Foundation has been supporting financial literacy initiatives across Malta for several years, with a focus on reaching underserved and at-risk groups. Future workshops are planned in collaboration with the National Mental Health Services to ensure the programme continues to reach those who need it most.