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Author: Mel Chamber

BNF Bank supports Commerce Students Association

Posted on by Mel Chamber

With the University year now in full swing, BNF Bank has announced its sponsorship of ASCS – the Association of Students of Commercial Studies, as a way of collaborating directly with students in their formative years of study.

“Through our involvement with organisations like ASCS, we aim to encourage active student participation – an experience that enhances student life by giving them the opportunity to share ideas and perspectives, and grow as engaged citizens,” said Maria Vella, Manager of BNF Bank’s Campus Hub Branch. “Student life is made so much more meaningful through such organisations and we hope our contribution will help executive members and the committees mobilise more student activity, so that together we can build a new future.”  The ACSC is a non-profit making association, representing approximately 2,000 students falling under the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy (FEMA).

“We are grateful for BNF Bank’s support, which gives us more steam to work towards our goals, be they academic support, industry opportunities and internationalisation,” said Julia Camilleri, ASCS President. “The Bank will also partner with us on our ‘Jumpstart Your Career’, an initiative designed to help our members secure employment, as well as  our annual Elevate workshops, ensuring a stronger, more dynamic connection between education and industry.”

The Bank believes firmly in supporting individuals in all stages of their lifecycle, giving special focus to students in the 18 – 24 age groups, as they learn to navigate their way through higher learning, planning for their preferred profession, and independence.

As a customer-centric bank, BNF offers attractive services and products to students, giving them the financial tools to plan their future and achieve their life goals. With the Bank’s opening of its brand-new Campus Hub Branch earlier this year and the introduction of online account opening with fast and easy digital onboarding, the Bank promises students digital first secure services that cater for their needs as well as strong personal relationships via face to face interaction.

BOV holds first customer experience (cx) conference

Posted on by Mel Chamber

As part of its CX Week celebrations Bank of Valletta hosted Malta’s first-ever Customer Experience (CX) Conference, an event organised exclusively for BOV employees. This milestone event brought together lead international speakers and innovators, as well as customer experience experts from within the Bank to share insights and strategies focused on enhancing customers’ long-term working relationships.

The exclusivity of this event to BOV employees reflects the importance that the Bank places on customer experience. The conference underlined the significant investment that the Bank is making in its people to ensure they are empowered and equipped to deliver the highest levels of service to all its customers across all touchpoints.

As explained by CEO Kenneth Farrugia during his address, “Bank of Valletta is committed to foster a culture that prioritises customer experience at all levels of the organisation. The insights and strategies that will be shared during the conference will shape our future CX efforts and will continue to elevate customer experience as a key differentiator in the financial services industry. We are excited to take all lessons learned, and build on them to provide unparalleled experiences for our customers.”

A Stellar Line-Up of Speakers

The event featured a number of prominent speakers, including Betul Yilmaz, Managing Partner at Elephant & CX Consultant who highlighted the key principles of empathy, proactivity, personalisation, and empowerment in customer experience. Professor Georgios Yannakakis and Dr Ahmed Khalifa from the Institute of Digital Games at the University of Malta illustrated how innovations in AI and UX modelling from the video gaming industry can be applied to banking to create personalised experiences and deepen customer engagement.

The conference featured a panel discussion that included other top industry experts such as Benji Borg, CEO of 9H Digital, Christabelle Camilleri, CEO and co-founder of Health & Co &Lil’Ville Childcare, and Theodoros Papadopoulos, Acting Chief CX Officer at BOV. The panel explored how technology and AI can support an organisation’s customer-centric culture. It also highlighted the importance of maintaining a customer-focused approach in product development and suggested strategies on how to overcome challenges in building a customer-centric culture.

Recognising Customer-Centric Employees

A special moment of the conference was the presentation of awards to BOV employees who exemplified customer-centric behaviour throughout the year, demonstrating the Bank’s commitment to recognising and rewarding those who go above and beyond the call of duty to assist customers. These individuals serve as a source of inspiration to all employees, setting the standard for current and future customer engagement.

A Proud First for BOV and Malta

This event marked a new chapter for BOV, further positioning it as a leader and innovator in the market. As Theodoros Papadopoulos stated in his closing address, “By investing in our people, we are equipping them with the tools and knowledge to ensure that our customers always receive the service they have come to expect from a bank like Bank of Valletta. This conference represents a significant step in elevating CX across our Bank and the broader Maltese business community.”

CX Week 2024

In addition to the conference, the Bank’s Customer Experience (CX) Team is organising a series of activities this week aimed at fostering a customer-centric mindset across the Bank.  A key highlight is the return of the annual BOV CX Week Frontline Experience, where back-office employees are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in frontline operations. This initiative provides a hands-on approach to better understand the customer journey, including the challenges and opportunities faced by frontline staff, ultimately driving a deeper commitment to enhancing the overall customer experience.

The Malta Chamber welcomes the EU court ruling annulling the 8-week truck return rule

Posted on by Mel Chamber

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry welcomes the ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) published yesterday, annulling the requirement for trucks to return to their operational centre every eight weeks, as stated in EU Regulation 2020/1055.

The Malta Chamber acknowledges that the Maltese Government listened to The Malta Chamber’s concerns resulting in successful efforts in presenting Malta’s case before the ECJ, together with Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Hungary, and Poland.

We believe that this ruling is a wake-up call for a more informed approach in EU policymaking, one that considers the specific challenges faced by peripheral and island nations.

The ECJ found that the EU legislators had not adequately assessed the proportionality of this measure on all member states when it was first introduced. This ECJ judgement is a decision in favour of Malta’s realities as it marks a significant step forward for Malta’s road transport operators.

As declared several times by The Malta Chamber Logistics Business Section, the rule was “implemented without proper evaluation and resulted in unnecessary emissions, logistical challenges, increase in costs and undue burdens on freight forwarding and haulage companies”.

For the past years, island nations like Malta were disproportionately affected by the regulation as compared to mainland EU countries, placing our country and our companies at an unfair disadvantage because the now-annulled provision required trucks operating across the EU to return to their home country every eight weeks. For Malta, this meant additional, often inefficient trips involving long distances and ferry crossings. Many vehicles travelled empty, contributing to avoidable traffic congestion on European roads and increasing carbon emissions. This not only undermined environmental efforts but also imposed additional costs on peripheral islands like Malta, where transportation is already more complex due to geographic isolation.

The Malta Chamber, along with European business networks, have repeatedly argued that this requirement conflicted with the European Green Deal’s goals of emission reduction and operational efficiency.

The Malta Chamber views this ECJ decision as a call for a more detailed approach in EU policies, addressing challenges unique to peripheral and island nations. In light of this ruling, The Malta Chamber renews its call for the upcoming European Commission to introduce a “Territorial Proofing” or “Insularity Test” as part of its Competitiveness Check in the impact assessment process. This test would ensure that EU regulations do not disproportionately affect Member States with unique geographical conditions, such as islands states and peripheral regions. The Malta Chamber stresses that significant legislative changes should undergo thorough impact assessments during the EU decision-making process to prevent unintended consequences, such as those caused by the eight-week vehicle return rule.

Articles 174 and 175 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union state that the Union should aim to reduce regional disparities, particularly for islands and mountain areas. The Malta Chamber urges the EU to stay true to these commitments by adopting measures that consider the specific needs of these regions within its legislative process, from inception.
This decision also bolsters Malta’s capability to contest similar policies in other areas, including air and maritime transport. Alongside other industry stakeholders, The Malta Chamber has expressed concerns regarding the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) for maritime transport, which redirects transhipments to non-EU ports in North Africa. This mirrors the objections submitted in respect of EU air transport regulations that impose an excessive and unjust burden on peripheral island states like Malta.

Finally, The Malta Chamber calls for enhanced meaningful dialogue and collaboration within the MCESD to ensure that upcoming EU legislation promotes fairness, sustainability, and operational efficiency for all EU Member States, without discrimination based on geographic location.

No Discussions on Mandatory Union Membership with Government

Posted on by Mel Chamber

The Malta Employers’ Association, The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, The Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises and The Malta Hotel and Restaurants Association reiterated their unwavering position that membership or non-membership in a trade union is an individual choice. Neither Government, nor employers, nor unions should ever force membership or non-membership on employees. This fundamental principle, protected by the Constitution of Malta and international conventions such as the United Nations Charter for Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights, ensures that no employee should ever be forced into union membership or prevented from joining a union.

Contrary to recent statements made by Government, the employer bodies wish to clarify that they have had no discussions or communications with Government regarding mandatory union membership and the models that were referred to by Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul in the Times report dated 30th September 2024. The bodies firmly reject, on principle, all models of mandatory unionisation mentioned by Hon. Ellul. Their position has always been consistent and this was clearly communicated to the government on the 16th March 2022.

The narrative that mandatory union membership is necessary to meet the targets set by the minimum wage directive is manifestly false, as the directive addresses coverage of collective bargaining and not union membership. According to the membership figures which the unions themselves submit to the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations, Malta has one of the highest trade union density in the world. This fact is corroborated by figures published by the International Labour Organisation.

The employer constituted bodies reaffirm that they are against any form of exploitation of employees, be it Maltese or foreign workers. Malta’s employment laws, if properly enforced, ensure that employees’ rights are safeguarded and that employers operate on a level playing field. The business community is always supportive of proper enforcement of laws and measures which do not tamper with the fundamental principles of freedom of association and the right to organise of each and every individual.

FCM Travel Solutions: Global Expertise for Malta’s Corporate Travel Needs

Posted on by Mel Chamber

As part of a global network spanning 95+ countries, FCM Travel Solutions delivers top-tier corporate travel services to some of the world’s leading brands. In Malta, FCM is powered by Top 3 Travel Ltd., integrating top local agencies EC Travel, Howards Travel, and KDM, with representation across the Mediterranean, including Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Cyprus, and Greece.

Tailored Solutions for Every Business

Specialising in customised travel management, FCM Malta supports small to medium-sized companies by enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs. Aside from a personalised one-on-one focus, FCM also offers access to state-of-the-art travel management tools for customers requiring a self-booking portal with transparent cost control as well as an expense reporting system.

Your One-Stop Travel Partner

From international air transportation, hotel reservations, car hire, transfers, meetings, conference and event management, VISA assistance and even flight chartering, FCM’s comprehensive suite of services ensures stress-free travel. Thanks to FCM’s global purchasing power, clients also benefit from preferential rates and guaranteed savings.

Expert Support You Can Trust

Locally, each corporate client is assigned a dedicated travel specialist, with a minimum of 15 years’ experience, who is conversant with the industry’s rapid developments. This ensures continuity and peace of mind with a reliable 24/7 emergency support.
More Than Just Business Travel

FCM Malta takes a holistic approach to travel management, acting as a consultancy that goes beyond simple bookings and itineraries. We handle every aspect of business and leisure travel with a strong focus on cost reduction and efficiency. Recently, Universal Air, offering flights to regional destinations like Tripoli, Libya, has been added to our portfolio.

Our leisure division, Travelmall.mt, specialises in private and group travel, offering worldwide destinations, ocean and river cruises, adventure, cultural, and skiing holidays. As the official agent of Disneyland Paris, we also have live access to park tickets and on- and off-site accommodation, enabling tailored packages to suit any family budget.

Additionally, we offer exclusive access to top sporting events, including Serie A, Premier League, Bundesliga, U.S. sports, and celebrity concerts, through official partnerships.

To discover how FCM Malta can elevate your travel experience, get in touch with us today on :

Ewropa Business Centre, Level 0, Dun Karm Street, Birkirkara Bypass, Birkirkara KBR 9034 – Malta

Or contact our Relationship Manager on Adrienne.Buedinger@mt.fcm.travel

BOV engages with students around campuses in malta and gozo during fresher’s week

Posted on by Mel Chamber

Bank of Valletta is once again taking centre stage at various campuses across Malta and Gozo during Fresher’s Week. With a strong focus on students and their overall customer experience, the Bank aims to inform, engage, and entertain students, ensuring they kick-start their academic journey on the right foot.

After already connecting with students at the Higher Secondary School and the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS), the BOV team is gearing up to visit other major institutions, including Junior College, MCAST, the University of Malta, and 6th Form in Gozo. When visiting the BOV stand, students can easily sort their stipend account, along with any other services required for their day-to-day finances.

Interactive Competitions and Challenges
This year, BOV is launching exciting new initiatives aimed specifically at students. One highlight is the Boss Up Your Financial Knowledge, a quiz that can be accessed from the Bank’s Instagram page, @bovclubofficial, or from the BOV Fresher’s stand. By simply scanning a QR Code and answering a set of questions, students have the chance to win. Those who score over 80% will enter a draw, with 16 winners taking home a €100 Eurosport voucher each.

Another initiative that will get students moving is Boss up Your Healthier Self. Students on campus will have a one-minute challenge to bike as far as possible on a stationary bike. The top four performers will be invited to a showdown, with the overall winner receiving a €300 Eurosport voucher. Furthermore, all kilometres covered during the challenge will contribute to donations, as the Bank will donate bikes to St Patrick’s School. Participants who complete the challenge will immediately receive a BOV Tumbler and a grenade energy bar.

The stationary bike has already made its appearance at Higher Secondary School, and will soon be available at the University of Malta and MCAST.

Financial Well-being Matters
BOV recognises the importance of students understanding financial well-being from a young age. By engaging with students directly, the Bank aims to empower them to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives. This includes encouraging smart spending, saving habits and offering resources to guide them towards financial stability in the future.

Join the Fun and Collect BOV Merchandise
The BOV team will be present on-site at all campuses, engaging with students and handing out exclusive BOV merchandise to those who visit their stand, until stocks last. This is a perfect opportunity for students to learn more about BOV’s products and services while enjoying fun giveaways.

“We’re excited to be engaging with students in such an interactive and educational way during Fresher’s Week,” said the Head of Marketing and Product Lifecycle, Daniel Magrin. “At BOV, students are at the heart of our initiatives, and we aim to enhance their experience with us by providing them with opportunities to learn, grow, and of course have fun. Whether it is through our competitions or customer experience, we are committed to making a meaningful impact on students’ lives.

Stay tuned to the BOV Club Instagram for more updates and join the fun across campuses this Fresher’s Week!

BOV empowers employee growth in business lending

Posted on by Mel Chamber

Earlier this week, Bank of Valletta launched its first-ever Commercial Financing Traineeship Program, a pivotal initiative designed to foster talent development, by equipping employees with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the Bank’s credit function, particularly in the highly specialised area of business lending. This program is part of the Bank’s broader commitment to continuous employee development, supported by the BOV Academy and extensive support when furthering their studies with external bodies at different levels.

As part of Bank of Valletta’s ongoing commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, this Program provides employees with opportunities for career advancement, offering clear trajectories from junior to more specialised roles. Through this initiative, the Bank is investing in its employees, ensuring they have the resources and support to succeed while contributing to the Bank’s customer-driven strategy.

Speaking to the first group of trainees, Kenneth Farrugia, the Bank’s CEO, emphasized the significance of this launch, “As we continue to grow and expand our services, particularly in the business lending space, it is essential that we invest in our people. Over the past five decades, we have built a robust portfolio of EUR 3.2 billion, driven by our dedicated employees who provide innovative solutions to corporate clients, SMEs, and micro-businesses. This program will ensure that we continue to meet and exceed customer expectations by cultivating a highly skilled workforce.”

The program will provide intensive, hands-on training for employees, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the demands of the Commercial Banking sector. With a focus on both personal and professional development, participants will engage in mandatory training modules, assessments, and on-the-job experience, culminating in opportunities for promotion to more senior roles.

Simon Grech, Chief Commercial Officer commented on the importance of this initiative in addressing the challenges the Bank is facing, “In recent years, we have faced challenges in recruiting skilled talent for the commercial sector, a technical and highly specialised area. This program, developed in collaboration with our People and Culture team, is designed to create a sustainable pipeline of a prepared and qualified pool of people. We aim to ensure we have a steady stream of talent ready to step into these critical roles, keeping pace with the growth of the business.”

Ray Debattista, Chief People and Culture Officer added by saying, “We are committed to ensuring that our employees are not just trained but fully supported in their professional journeys. Such training needs to be complemented by on-the-job mentoring by experienced colleagues. This program exemplifies our ‘People First’ strategy, aligning with our broader goal to create a culture where employees feel valued and empowered.”

The Commercial Financing Traineeship Program aligns with the Bank’s strategy to be the Employer of Choice in Malta.

REEValue hosts European experts for first agrifoods & logistics workshops

Posted on by Mel Chamber

EWA & MBB launched their first joint workshop for the REEValue project, titled “Unlocking Sustainable Cost Savings Solutions”. Experts from abroad travelled to Malta to deliver two days of training for agrifoods manufacturing and logistics companies. The competitiveness of these sectors relies on coordination and increases in efficiency across value chains. Value chains are the focus of the REEValue, a LIFE-funded project which started earlier this year and runs until 2026. Through value chain collaborations, businesses are able to unlock opportunities which might not be possible when operating in silos. Any business in the relevant sectors is invited to participate in the project and benefit from the consultancy services offered by the consortium, which will be covered by the EU.

The event’s agenda entailed presentations from the University of Brescia and the Irish logistics consultancy AEMS. Renowned icecream manufacturing company, Sammontana, as well as one of their suppliers, EPTA, also presented information about how they have increased efficiency by working together. Serving as best practice case studies, they served as a particularly engaging case study for local icecream and food manufacturers who participated in the event. With the exception of EPTA, all the speakers form part of the REEValue consortium, and their offer of support and guidance to Maltese businesses is open and ongoing until the project ends. Furthermore, MBB Senior Projects Executive Timothy Alden presented an overview of funding instruments available to local businesses. MBB is offering support to companies to apply for these grants as part of the project.

Moving forward, further workshops will be organised in Ireland and Portugal by partners in the consortium, as well as in Malta late next year. Businesses interested in further information about the project and how they stand to benefit are invited to get in contact with MBB at info@mbb.org.mt

BOV makes waves with staff summer activities

Posted on by Mel Chamber

Bank of Valletta has delivered an exciting and memorable summer schedule of activities for its employees, with a series of engaging events organised by the Bank of Valletta Sports and Social Committee (BOVSSC) and the CSR Events Team. These events were designed to bring employees together, foster team spirit, and create lasting memories, making them a standout feature of the BOV community.

The summer kicked off with the highly anticipated BOV Quiz Night, an event that saw over 300 employees coming together for a night of friendly competition and trivia challenges. Held in a lively atmosphere, participants tested their knowledge across various categories, sparking laughter, debates, and a great sense of team spirit.

Summer events continued with the thrilling ‘Pirates of BOV’ beach competition in August. Embracing the pirate theme, the event was packed with exciting land and sea games that doubled as team-building exercises, strengthening bonds among colleagues. Chief People and Culture Officer Ray Debattista presented the trophies to the winning team South Pearls who emerged victorious. He commanded the BOVSSC team for their exceptional organisation and the positive impact that these events have on staff engagement.

Summer fun continued with the Kayaking in the Sunset event held in early September. Forty-five participants paddled along the scenic route from Ġnejna Bay, navigating past stunning coastal landmarks such as Qarraba, Riviera and Golden Bay. Favourable weather and shared teamwork made for an exhilarating adventure. The event was highlighted by the attendance of CEO Kenneth Farrugia and Chief Operations Officer Ernest Agius, who joined the rowing, adding a sense of unity and celebration among those present.

The BOV Staff Summer Event organised by the CRS & Events team, featured live entertainment, delicious food, and a vibrant atmosphere. Despite being held on one of the few rainy evenings this summer, the weather did not dampen the spirits of attendees. Instead, it turned the evening into a memorable occasion filled with laughter and renewed camaraderie, proving that not even rain could cloud the joy and togetherness of the BOV family.

Reflecting on the success of this summer’s events, Ernest Agius, Chief Operations Officer expressed his appreciation towards the organisers for their enthusiasm, creativity, and energy. “These activities are a testament to the Bank’s commitment to fostering a positive and engaging work culture, offering employees unique opportunities to bond, have fun, and strengthen their connections beyond the workplace,” he said.