Author: Mel Chamber

Bank of Valletta (BOV) proudly joined the global community in celebrating Global Ethics Day 2025, reaffirming its commitment to integrity and ethical leadership across the financial sector.

This year’s official theme, Ethics Re-envisioned, set by the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, calls on organisations worldwide to rethink how ethics and innovation can evolve hand in hand in an increasingly digital world.

As an active participant in the Carnegie Council’s Global Ethics Day initiative, BOV continues to champion a strong culture of integrity through year-round awareness campaigns, training sessions, and educational initiatives. Throughout 2025, the Bank organised several employee engagement activities focused on ethical decision-making, responsible AI use, data protection, and anti-financial crime awareness. In the months and weeks leading up to Global Ethics Day, employees across all functions participated in internal discussions, workshops, and story-sharing sessions highlighting the power of voice in building a transparent and values-driven workplace.

“In a world where technology often moves faster than regulation, ethical leadership must take the lead,” said Anatoli Grech, Group Chief Compliance Officer at Bank of Valletta. “At BOV, we’re digitally bold but also deeply grounded in our values. We make sure integrity is part of every project we undertake, from data governance and AI use to how we serve our customers. When ethics are built into innovation, progress becomes truly sustainable.”

Kenneth Farrugia, Chief Executive Officer at Bank of Valletta, added, “Digital transformation is vital to our growth, but progress without principles isn’t progress at all. Our goal is to shape tomorrow with integrity, by being transparent, accountable, and always guided by what’s right for our customers, our people, and our community.”

The Bank emphasised that as the financial industry embraces cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data-driven technologies, the need for robust ethical safeguards becomes ever more critical. BOV’s approach focuses on ensuring that innovation is accompanied by strong governance, accountability, and trust. These values sit at the heart of the organisation.

“Ethics Re-envisioned” reflects BOV’s ongoing commitment to uphold its core values — integrity, excellence, inclusion, innovation, and sustainability — and to create a workplace culture where doing the right thing comes naturally. On Global Ethics Day, BOV renewed its pledge to promote transparency, trust, and ethical excellence within the Bank and across the wider Maltese community.

The HSBC Malta Foundation distributed stationery, toys and other essential items collected through employees, their families, friends, customers, and suppliers to a number of NGOs across Malta. The initiative, now in its second year, ensures that children and families supported by these organisations start the school year with dignity and a sense of inclusion.

This effort is part of the Foundation’s broader community outreach, responding to calls from NGOs like the St Jeanne Antide Foundation, which supports children whose families struggle to afford even the most basic school items such as backpacks, stationery, and uniforms. For many children, receiving these supplies means walking into school feeling prepared and equal to their peers.

The donation drive saw hundreds of items collected, reflecting the generosity of HSBC Malta employees and their wider networks. The NGO’s who benefitted this year where: Dar Merħba Bik, Life Network Foundation, Inspire, Dar il-Kaptan, YMCA, Building Bridges, the Soup Kitchen in Valletta, Fondazzjoni Suriet il-Bniedem – Dar Theresa Spinelli, the RISe Foundation, St Jean Antide Foundation, SOAR, ALS Malta, and Angela House in G’Manġia.

Glenn Bugeja, Head of Corporate Sustainability at HSBC Malta, said: “This is such an important initiative. The start of the school year should be an exciting time for every child, not a stressful one. Thanks to the generosity of our colleagues and supporters, we are proud to be helping NGOs provide children with the essentials they need to begin the year with confidence. It is heartening to see this initiative off to such a strong start again this year.”

Silvan Magro, Director at Dar il-Kaptan, added: “Many families fall just outside eligibility for state assistance, yet they still struggle to meet the basic costs of school. Initiatives like this make a real difference, not just by supplying books or stationery, but by restoring a child’s sense of belonging. We are deeply grateful to HSBC Malta Foundation and all those who contributed for helping children start the school year with pride and dignity.”

This initiative underlines HSBC Malta Foundation’s commitment to education, equality, and community wellbeing, ensuring that no child is left behind as the new school year begins.

Bank of Valletta (BOV) proudly marked the conclusion of its fourth edition of CX Week 2025, a transformative week dedicated to elevating customer experience across the organisation. This year’s edition was defined by dynamic engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and a renewed commitment to placing customers at the heart of every decision. From immersive frontline experiences to leadership participation and employee-driven innovation, CX Week 2025 demonstrated the power of empathy, insight, and action in shaping exceptional customer journeys.

Throughout the week, employees from non-customer-facing roles stepped into the shoes of their frontline colleagues to gain firsthand exposure to customer interactions. This initiative fostered empathy, deepened understanding of customer needs, and inspired new ways to support service teams. Senior leaders also joined frontline operations, listening to customer calls and observing daily workflows. Their hands-on participation reinforced the Bank’s leadership’s commitment to a customer-first culture and strengthened the connection between strategic direction and service delivery.

The Bank also hosted the CX Stars Recognition Event, honouring individuals and teams who exemplify excellence in customer experience. The celebration shone a spotlight on those who consistently go above and beyond to deliver outstanding service, setting a benchmark for others to follow.

Reflecting on the week’s success, Theodoros Papadopoulos, the Bank’s Chief Customer Experience Officer shared, “I’m extremely happy because this year for the fourth time in a row, we are celebrating CX Week; a milestone we should all be proud of. Four consecutive years show our commitment to put the customer at the centre of attention of everything we do, embedding customer experience into our DNA, our values, and the way we operate as a business.”

Building on the momentum of CX Week, Bank of Valletta also launched the CX Hackathon, a new initiative that empowers employees to transform feedback and creative ideas into actionable solutions aimed at enhancing the customer experience. Over the coming days, submissions will be reviewed and employees will be invited to vote for their favourites, with the top five ideas selected for presentation. This initiative ensures that the spirit of CX Week continues to inspire meaningful innovation long after the celebrations conclude.

Later this month, the Bank will also be hosting a Voice of Customer (VOC) Event, welcoming a selection of customers who participated in recent surveys to thank them personally for their valuable feedback. The celebrations will culminate with the BOV CX Conference, returning for its second consecutive year. The conference will focus on shifting intention to impact, embedding customer experience as a shared priority and a daily practice across the organisation.

CX Week 2025 was a catalyst for innovation, empathy, and continuous improvement. As Bank of Valletta looks ahead, it remains steadfast in its commitment to listening to customers, empowering teams, and delivering exceptional experiences every day.

During the inaugural edition of the WSBI-ESBG SDG Awards Ceremony held in Washington, D.C., Bank of Valletta (BOV) was recognised with the ‘Inclusive Banking and Social Impact Award’, highlighting its leadership and tangible contribution towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. BOV Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kenneth Farrugia, and Chief Operations Officer, Mr Ernest Agius, were presented with the award by the Chief Executive Officer of the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI), Mr Peter Simon.

The award was given in recognition of three initiatives undertaken by BOV in 2024. The first initiative was the introduction of a Staff Volunteering Programme, which enabled over 2,400 BOV employees to dedicate one working day to volunteering with local NGOs. Another initiative, which was handled together with the BOV Foundation, is a programme in collaboration with Migrant Women Association Malta, providing essential skills to migrant, asylum-seeking and refugee women for their social and economic integration in Malta. The third initiative is the annual BOV Volleyball Marathon in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, which during 2024 yielded a record-breaking sum of over €460,000, which funded improved care, therapy, and facilities.

Speaking during the Award Ceremony, BOV CEO Mr Kenneth Farrugia expressed great satisfaction that the Bank’s efforts in favour of the vulnerable members of society did not go unnoticed. “Since its foundation, Bank of Valletta has always been a catalyst for Social Inclusion and Well-being. Last year, as we celebrated our 50th anniversary, the Bank introduced a Staff Volunteering Programme, which contributed to over 3,500 hours of community service by our people. This programme has strengthened local NGO capacity and reinforced a culture of social engagement within the Bank. Now in its second year, our employees are contributing even further to this programme, registering more engagement and leaving a greater impact.”

Mr Farrugia said that “Also coinciding with the Bank’s Anniversary, last year we established the BOV Foundation, which works hand-in-hand with our CSR Team in the execution of our ambitious and ample Corporate Social Responsibility Programme”.

Elaborating further, BOV Chief Operations Officer, Mr Ernest Aguis, who also sits on the Board of the BOV Foundation, said that “One of the most impactful projects handled by the Bank and its Foundation was the collaboration with Migrant Women Association Malta. The programme focused on the social and economic integration of migrant, asylum-seeking, and refugee women. Through training led by a professional Maltese fashion designer, participants acquired skills in sewing, tailoring, and design, gaining insight into Malta’s fashion industry.

Mr Agius noted that “Since its inception, the programme saw numerous participants who have already transitioned into self-employment or landed a formal job in the tailoring industry.” Details on Bank of Valletta’s SDG alignment and why it was chosen to be rewarded are found on the WSBI-ESBG’s website.