APS Bank has been making its mark on Malta's professional conversation this early March, with several of its senior figures stepping up to contribute their expertise across financial services, property, and workplace wellbeing discussions [1].
The bank's involvement kicked off with Miguel Calleja, Senior Strategy Manager, taking centre stage at Belair Property's inaugural talk. Calleja shared the platform with financial coach Patrick Debattista to discuss 'From Capital to Keys – Banking and Borrowing for Property Investment,' a timely conversation for anyone considering putting their money into property. The discussion focused on the practical side of things: what borrowers need to know, how banks approach property lending, and the financial planning that goes into investment decisions [1].
Meanwhile, Peter Gatt, Senior Employer Branding Manager at APS Bank, brought the conversation closer to home at the fourth edition of the FIDEM International Women's Day Conference held at Xara Lodge. Gatt contributed to discussions around workplace wellbeing—a topic that's becoming increasingly important as organisations grapple with keeping their teams healthy and supported. He highlighted some of the less obvious challenges that employees face and explored how companies can build more positive and supportive working environments [1].
On the technical and regulatory front, APS Bank showed considerable depth of knowledge at the Malta Stock Exchange's Governance, Risk, Compliance and ESG Conference. Dione Stephan Gravino, Head of IT Infrastructure & Operations, participated in a panel discussion titled 'Defending the Digital Perimeter: Emerging Cybersecurity Challenges.' The session tackled some of today's most pressing security concerns—AI-driven phishing attacks, ransomware, and supply chain vulnerabilities. Gravino emphasised the importance of building organisational resilience and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness to tackle these evolving threats [1].
Equally important was the contribution of Cynthia Borg, Head of Financial Crime Compliance and MLRO (Money Laundering Reporting Officer) at APS Bank. Borg addressed 'The Role of the MLRO in Managing AML Risk,' a discussion that explored how the compliance landscape is shifting. She highlighted upcoming changes under the AML VI Package, including the integration of sanctions considerations into anti-money laundering frameworks. It's a sign of how the MLRO role is becoming increasingly strategic as regulatory expectations tighten and financial crime becomes more sophisticated [1].
For a local bank like APS, stepping into these conversations matters. It signals that Malta's financial institutions are actively engaged with the challenges facing both the industry and the broader economy—from helping people invest wisely in property to protecting organisations against digital threats and financial crime.