The Institute of Financial Services (ifs Malta) recently organised its Annual Dinner at the Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julians. The well-established event in the calendar of the financial services sector turned out to be a very successful gathering of key stakeholders from the financial and business community together with those from academia and constituted bodies.
Ifs Malta President, Peter Calleya welcomed the guests and during his speech highlighted the events which took place during this year. He said that during the graduation ceremony held earlier this year, the Institute celebrated the success of over 170 students who completed their studies over the past year. Other activities included various seminars and bespoke training programmes.
The Institute is currently offering high-level and quality financial and academic programmes ranging from Certificate to Masters level in more than 30 distinct areas of study, most of which are done through strategic alliances with internationally renowned professional educational bodies. The Institute is also planning various training initiatives around regulatory developments, advancements in Fintech and the use of AI. It has also been working closely with the European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies (EFFAS) to introduce an international qualification in the innovative area of decentralised finance and Digital Assets.
Mr Calleya thanked all stakeholders for their contribution and ongoing support to the Institute and acknowledged the ongoing cooperation with the University of Malta with which IFS Malta is holding the third cohort of its Award in Environmental, Social and Governance and the European Banking and Financial Services Training Association (EBTN) which facilitated its participation in the EU Erasmus+ project on micro-credentials for employability (MiCres). This 3-year EU project brings together 13 project partners to develop the first sector-driven ecosystem for micro-credentials in financial services in Europe using innovative blockchain technology interoperable with the European Digital Credentials for Learning. An ambitious project which is currently concluding its first year.
The Minister for Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, the Hon. Silvio Schembri, delivered a recorded message during which he highlighted the resilience of the Maltese economy in which financial services play a key role.
The Minister stated that it is important that all stakeholders work together to implement reforms aimed at achieving efficiency, compliance and innovation to ensure Malta remains a competitive international financial services centre. Such transformative measures included the right to having a business banking account and the central depository for KYC and due diligence. It is imperative to find the right balance between regulation and compliance and implementing initiatives that support innovation, efficiency and economic growth.
Hon Minister Schembri commended the efforts of the FIAU, credit institutions, Central Bank of Malta and MFSA for facilitating growth in cutting-edge areas of financial services and integrating ESG principles and innovative tools to ensure Malta’s financial services align with global sustainability goals.
The Minister acknowledged the crucial role IFS has to play in equipping industry professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to lead this transformation and drive Malta’s future success.
The keynote address of the evening was a policy speech delivered by the Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Malta, Mr Alexander Demarco, in which he commended the Institute for its achievements during the year.
In his address, Acting Governor Demarco said that Malta’s economy continues to demonstrate resilience amidst moderated growth, with inflation stabilising at 2.4% in October, slightly above the euro area average of 2%. Strong service activity and targeted fiscal support have been pivotal in sustaining economic stability. However, geopolitical tensions and trade fragmentation underscore the importance of strategic diversification and rebuilding fiscal buffers to safeguard against external shocks. While Malta’s banking sector remains robust, careful monitoring of property-related lending and financial innovation is essential to maintain stability and foster competition. The transition to a climate-neutral economy presents a significant opportunity for Malta to align growth with environmental goals. By promoting green finance tools, embedding sustainability in investments, and diversifying its economy, Malta can strengthen its position as a resilient and forward-looking economy ready to tackle global challenges.
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The Institute of Financial Services (ifs Malta) recently organised its Annual Dinner at the Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julians. The well-established event in the calendar of the financial services sector turned out to be a very successful gathering of key stakeholders from the financial and business community together with those from academia and constituted bodies.
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