Author: Mel Chamber

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.

Bank of Valletta’s longstanding collaboration with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna was recently celebrated with a new exhibition at the Malta Time-Gun Museum in Valletta, which was officially inaugurated during a visit by members of the BOV Foundation.

The permanent exhibition, funded by the Bank of Valletta Foundation through its ongoing agreement with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, focuses on John Müller’s eighteenth-century artillery designs and different ancillary equipment as detailed in his ‘A Treatise of Artillery’ published in 1759. Mario Farrugia, Executive Chairman of Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, noted that ‘A Treatise of Artillery’, an original copy of which is exhibited in this exhibition, was the most influential work on artillery published in English during the second half of the eighteenth century. The exhibition features several scientific models depicting mostly technical and logistical equipment used for the mounting or dismounting of cannon, transportation of ordnance, as well as the carriage of ammunition and repairs.

During the visit, Mr Farrugia expressed his gratitude to Bank of Valletta for years of dedication to the Foundation, which offers hands-on heritage across its nine museums. He noted, “The Bank’s funding has empowered the Foundation to pursue innovative approaches to preserve and present Malta’s military and cultural heritage.”

The BOV Foundation was represented by Anita Mangion and Isabella Cutajar, accompanied by Charles Azzopardi, Head of CSR, Events and Business Alliances. On behalf of the BOV Foundation, Anita Mangion remarked that the launch of this exhibition is a testament to the importance of historical knowledge and its relevance today. “The BOV Foundation remains committed to support such initiatives. Through our collaboration with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, we are proud to back projects that bring Malta’s rich military history to life and make it accessible to the public,” Ms Mangion stated.

Charles Azzopardi echoed Ms Mangion’s remarks, stating, “The collaboration with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna reflects the Bank’s longstanding commitment to the community and heritage through its corporate social responsibility programme. Through the collaboration with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna and its ‘Hands-on-Heritage’ programme, thousands of schoolchildren have visited sites managed by FWA. The success of this collaboration between the BOV Foundation and FWA is a testament to the commitment from both parties towards education and our rich cultural heritage. We are now well into the second generation of students attending these sessions, in sites that have continuously been upgraded through the efforts of Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, which we are proud to call our partner.”

Bank of Valletta today reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to the community by presenting its annual donation to L-istrina during the live broadcast on national television. On behalf of Bank of Valletta and the BOV Foundation, a contribution of €312,000 was presented by BOV Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Farrugia, accompanied by Ernest Agius, Chief Operations Officer, and members of the Bank’s senior management team. The donation was made up of €62,000 contributed by children in Primary and Secondary schools across Malta and Gozo, and a donation of €250,000 by the Bank.

Speaking during the presentation, Mr Farrugia highlighted the spirit of solidarity that defines L-istrina and mirrors the values upheld by the Bank. “L-istrina is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together as a nation. Through the efforts of the BOV Foundation, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that offer tangible support and hope to those facing the most challenging of circumstances. This donation is our way of recognising the invaluable work carried out by the Malta Community Chest Fund throughout the year.”

Apart from the Bank’s own financial contribution, this donation once again includes funds raised through the L-Istrina BOV Piggy Bank Campaign, an initiative that encourages children across primary and secondary schools in Malta and Gozo to make small donations, fostering values of generosity, empathy, and social responsibility from a young age. Now in its 22^nd edition, the L-istrina BOV Piggy Bank Campaign continues to demonstrate how collective action can make a meaningful and lasting difference in people’s lives.