Author: Mel Chamber

HSBC Malta recently welcomed the Dwarna team to its offices at HSBC Hub in Qormi to carry out an on-site sample collection session as part of DwarnaBio’s ongoing recruitment efforts.

Dwarna (dwarna.mt) is Malta’s national population-based biobank, which aims to serve as a resource for genomic research in the Maltese population. The initiative supports long-term research that aims to improve understanding of health and disease, with a strong focus on direct public engagement in research.

During the visit to HSBC Hub, the DwarnaBio team collected blood and saliva samples from HSBC Malta employees who generously volunteered to contribute to this research effort. Their participation helps expand the growing resource and reinforces DwarnaBio’s aim to prioritise direct public engagement in research. It also reflects a move away from the traditional concept of research subjects as passive sample donors, towards a more proactive and collaborative approach that considers the general public as active research participants.

The session at HSBC Hub in Qormi was organised to make participation simple and convenient for the bank employees. Dwarna set up a temporary collection station on site, where participants were guided through the process by trained staff. Each volunteer provided informed consent and had the opportunity to learn more about how their contribution supports long-term research. The initiative was supported by the HSBC Malta Foundation, whose involvement helped make the on-site session possible.

Rita Scicluna, Operations Programme Integration Manager at HSBC Malta, who was instrumental in making the on-site DwarnaBio session happen, said: “We’re proud to support collaborations like DwarnaBio that strengthen Malta’s research and innovation ecosystem. By bringing the sample collection on site, we made it simpler for colleagues to take part and contribute to research that can improve health outcomes for the wider community. I’m also grateful to the HSBC Malta Foundation for its support in helping make this initiative possible.”

Prof Nikolai P. Pace from Dwarna, said, “On behalf of DwarnaBio, I’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to HSBC Malta for the invitation and for the support provided in organising and delivering the on-site session. It was an incredibly fruitful opportunity that will help Dwarna’s mission going forward, and we’re grateful to the bank employees who volunteered so generously.”

Dwarna is an active member of the pan-European Biobanking and BioMolecular resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI) and a research partner in the 1 Million Genomes of Europe initiative.

Bank of Valletta celebrated the achievements of 139 employees during the annual graduation ceremony, recognising colleagues who successfully completed programmes in areas including credit, investments, data, leadership and personal development. The event reflected the Bank’s continued investment in people development and in building a skilled, agile and future-focused workforce. As a Further and Higher Education Institute licensed by the MFHEA (License No: 2018-003), the Bank continues to strengthen its role in delivering accredited learning pathways for its people.

Addressing those present, Dr Gordon Cordina, BOV Chairperson set the tone for the event, saying, “Graduation Night is a reminder of what gives strength and purpose to our Bank. Our people’s commitment to lead, nurture and promote learning and development is one of the Bank’s core strengths. Tonight, we see BOV at its best.”

The ceremony also highlighted a standout year for learning and development at Bank of Valletta. During the year, the Bank delivered 610 courses, amounting to 101,152 learning hours and 62,644 participants, through a mix of external courses, e-learning modules, and classroom sessions. These figures reflect both the scale of the Bank’s investment in development and the strong engagement of employees in taking ownership of their growth. This year’s cohort also reflected the strong representation of female employees in learning at BOV, with 76% of graduates being female.

A key moment during the evening was the first-ever recognition of graduates from two newly introduced accredited programmes: the Award in Data for Banking (MQF Level 5) and the Award in Applied Business Banking (MQF Level 4). These joined other accredited programmes, all at MQF Level 5, including the Award in Customer Champions, Award in AFC, Award in Regulatory Compliance, expanding the Bank’s learning portfolio in line with evolving business and regulatory priorities. The Bank also offered the Award in ESG this year, through IFS and the University of Malta.

Ray Debattista, Chief People & Culture Officer stressed the importance of recognising colleagues and celebrating achievements across the Bank’s wide range of programmes. These achievements demonstration the kind of learning culture that the Bank is building. This also reflects the Bank’s objective to keep moving forward by growing skills, capability and confidence,” he said.

Kenneth Farrugia, BOV CEO, concluded by saying that “Tonight is not the end of a journey. It’s a starting point. Take what you’ve learned, apply it boldly, and keep building on it. Continuous learning is one of the strongest drivers of BOV’s future, and your progress is part of that story,” he said.

With participation continuing to increase year after year and new programmes being introduced on an ongoing basis, the momentum behind learning and capability-building at Bank of Valletta is expected to continue throughout 2026 and beyond.

BMIT Technologies has launched a fully staffed, 24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC), bringing human-led cyber threat monitoring and response to businesses across Malta and the region.

Unlike automated alert systems that flag incidents for review the following morning, or tools that act on AI-generated responses alone, BMIT’s SOC places qualified security analysts at the centre of the operation around the clock. Advanced technology, AI and automation provide the detection layer, but every alert of significance is reviewed, assessed, and acted upon by a human expert, including at 2am on a Sunday.

“Most organisations have invested heavily in security tools, but the volume of alerts these generate can be overwhelming,” said Christian Bajada, Head of Information Security at BMIT. “When a team is processing thousands of notifications, real threats can go undetected. Continuous human oversight, applied at the right moment, is what makes the difference between catching an attack and cleaning up after one.”

The SOC forms part of BMIT’s Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service, which combines broad monitoring across the entire digital environment with deep forensic investigation of specific systems when suspicious activity is identified. Analysts work across client environments continuously, not just during business hours, which is precisely when many attacks are timed to occur.

What distinguishes BMIT’s approach is that cybersecurity is not treated as a standalone product. The SOC sits within a broader business technology resilience framework that includes Malta-hosted infrastructure, geographically redundant data centres and cloud platforms, supported by a virtual CISO service, vulnerability and threat management, and a governance, risk and compliance (GRC) portfolio. This gives businesses a single, locally anchored partner for protection, recovery and compliance, rather than a patchwork of unconnected providers.

For businesses with data governance and regulatory obligations, including GDPR, DORA and NIS2, as well as sector-specific requirements such as those applying to financial and health services, BMIT offers local data processing and data sovereignty by design, keeping sensitive information within Maltese jurisdiction and fully aligned with applicable compliance frameworks.

The service is designed to scale with the business, making enterprise-grade security accessible to organisations of all sizes without the cost of building and staffing an in-house team.

“Cyber threats are not slowing down, and neither are the regulatory expectations placed on business leaders,” said Christian Sammut, Chief Executive Officer of BMIT Technologies plc. “This investment reflects our commitment to giving Maltese businesses the same level of protection that was previously only available to large enterprises, backed by infrastructure, expertise, and people who are genuinely here, on the ground, around the clock.”

“Cyber resilience has become a boardroom conversation,” added Bajada. “The question is no longer whether your business will face a threat. It is whether someone will be watching when it happens.”

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Bank of Valletta is proud to have supported Ġemma in developing the RetireSmart App, which was recently launched by the Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights. This new retirement planning tool helps people calculate their potential state pension and address the income gap at retirement.

Speaking on this initiative, which is also supported by Mapfre Msv Life, Dr Gordon Cordina, as Chairperson of both BOV and Mapfre Msv Life, highlighted the importance of proactive financial planning in Malta, particularly as the general population ages. He remarked that the sustainability of the Maltese pension system for future generations depends on anticipating the challenges that the country currently faces and will be facing in the years to come, so that proactive action can be taken to ensure adequate compensation during the crucial time of retirement.

Dr Cordina noted, “RetireSmart is an important tool for planning and action, helping people be better informed and make timely decisions needed for their long-term financial well-being. The launch of the RetireSmart App is a crucial first step, as we see the potential for further development, providing other services to empower people to be better equipped for the future, thereby enhancing the Maltese pension system.”

Simon Azzopardi, BOV Chief Personal and Wealth Officer, emphasised the importance of well-being and the need to start planning early. “At Bank of Valletta, we believe that financial literacy is crucial to long-term well-being.  Saving for a pension is one of the most important investments that people can make, and through initiatives like this partnership with Ġemma and other collaborators, we are committed to providing people with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed financial decisions regarding long-term savings, pensions, and insurance solutions”.

This event aligns with the Bank’s efforts to improve financial literacy in Malta. Various initiatives being undertaken by the Bank include educational campaigns, community partnerships, and launching tools such as the RetireSmart App, which are all designed to help people achieve greater financial flexibility. The Bank’s Financial Well-Being Centres in Floriana and Ta’ Sannat, as well as its 5 Investment Centres across Malta and Gozo, also provide crucial support to bank customers wishing to discuss and invest in their financial future.

The Planning Authority and Bank of Valletta have today formalised a new Memorandum of Understanding that strengthens collaboration and enhances efficiency in verifying planning compliance during property due‑diligence and credit assessment processes.

The agreement sets out a clear operational framework guiding how Compliance Certificates issued by the Planning Authority under Article 102 of the Development Planning Act (Chapter 552) will be recognised and used by Bank of Valletta.

Under this MOU, BOV may fully rely on PA‑issued Compliance Certificates that are not more than three months old, ensuring clarity for clients and reducing the need to provide supplementary planning documentation unless required by law. A valid Compliance Certificate confirms that the property is structurally completed and in accordance with the approved development permission and drawings, subject to any declared exemptions or concessions.

To support the smooth implementation of this framework, the Planning Authority will provide BOV with written clarifications when required, and will grant the Bank secure digital access to view Compliance Certificates and attached documents online. This measure eliminates the need for customers to produce physical copies of certificates and ensures greater consistency and transparency.

“Today’s agreement marks another important step in strengthening the planning and property ecosystem in Malta. By enhancing collaboration between the Planning Authority and Bank of Valletta, we are ensuring that processes become clearer, more efficient, and more accessible for the public. This Memorandum of Understanding reflects our commitment to improving administrative practices and delivering a more streamlined experience for anyone seeking to invest in or develop property. Ultimately, this is a practical reform that benefits families, professionals, and the wider economy,” Clint Camilleri, Minister for Gozo and Planning said.

Kenneth Farrugia, BOV Chief Executive Officer, noted that this agreement establishes a clear framework for collaboration between Bank of Valletta and the Planning Authority. “Through this MOU, our clients will benefit from a much simpler and more efficient process. Similar to other agreements we have recently signed with other institutions, this MOU forms part of a broader vision in which the Bank promotes a model of collaboration where stakeholders work together rather than in isolation, ultimately ensuring a clearer and more efficient service for the public,” said Mr Farrugia.

BOV Chief Operations Officer, Ernest Agius, highlighted the digital dimension of the MOU, explaining that the Bank will have online digital access to view Compliance Certificates and related documents through a dedicated portal provided by the Planning Authority. “This initiative is fully aligned with the Bank’s digital strategy, where digital services are central to our operations. By reducing paper use and streamlining access to information, we are not only enhancing efficiency but also reinforcing our commitment to sustainability,” Mr Agius noted.

Finally, Johann Buttigieg, Executive Chairman of the Planning Authority added that “this MOU represents a significant advancement in how planning compliance information is shared and utilised. By granting the Bank direct access to our digital systems and establishing consistent protocols, we are reducing unnecessary obstacles for clients while ensuring that planning standards are upheld. Our objective is to strengthen transparency and trust across the sector, and this collaboration with Bank of Valletta demonstrates our focus on practical, solutions‑driven improvements that serve both institutions and the community. We look forward to seeing other banks follow suit and embrace similar collaborative frameworks, ensuring a more coherent and efficient property process across the entire financial sector.”

The agreement signed today does not amend any statutory obligations of either party but introduces a practical structure that benefits customers, professionals, and the wider property sector.

The new MOU underscores the importance of cooperation between national institutions and the financial sector in ensuring a smoother and more reliable property process. The Planning Authority and Bank of Valletta look forward to implementing the agreement and reinforcing their shared goal of improving service quality for clients and practitioners across the industry.

HSBC Malta announced that its headquarters in Qormi, HSBC Hub, has been awarded LEED ID+C Gold certification. The certification recognises the project’s sustainability performance and the measures implemented to support a more efficient and high-quality indoor working environment.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is one of the world’s most recognised green building certification programmes. Achieving Gold reflects the standards the bank met across areas such as energy and water efficiency, materials, indoor environmental quality and overall sustainability performance.

This is a genuine team achievement, made possible through close collaboration between HSBC employees and the bank’s project partners.

Jonathan Taylor, Country Head of Corporate Services at HSBC Malta said: “LEED Gold is a brilliant outcome for HSBC Hub and a real credit to the colleagues and partners who kept quality and sustainability front and centre throughout. It’s a practical step forward in creating a workplace that performs better for people and the environment.”

HSBC Malta’s CEO, Geoffrey Fichte, commented: “This certification shows what we can deliver when we work as one team with a clear goal. It strengthens our commitment to operating responsibly in Malta and creating spaces that support colleagues, customers and our communities.”

HSBC Hub also offers practical day-to-day benefits for both customers and employees, with ample free on-site parking spaces and free electric vehicle charging points, with plans to double the charging points during the coming months as part of ongoing enhancements.

The branch located within HSBC Hub also provides added convenience for both retail and commercialcustomers, with longer opening hours than other branches and Saturday operations.

An official hard-copy LEED certificate has been received, and the bank plans to mark this achievement with the installation of a LEED Gold plaque at its HSBC Hub premises in Qormi.