Banif Bank expands its branch network

Banif Bank (Malta) plc has started rolling out its retail network expansion programme by opening a new branch in the heart of Siggiewi. With another nine outlets across Malta and Gozo, the Bank will continually review its network infrastructure according to business needs.

The Bank's retail outreach seeks to serve customers in their locality, putting clients at the centre of its operations and consolidating its high quality service through personal contact. The investment programme involves growing its team, further developing its processes and tweaking its technological infrastructure.

"Banif is keeping its promise and commitment to grow and solidify its operations," said Joaquim F. Silva Pinto, Chief Executive Officer of Banif Bank. "Relationships in Malta are very strong and are the very fabric of our close-knit culture. We know how important it is to our clients to have a personal relationship with their banker - hence our plan to keep strengthening this arm. All our operations have our customers at heart. But perhaps it is the service we offer from our branches that is one of our trademarks."

"Banif recognises that micro business is an important fulcrum of the Maltese economy and an open business environment is crucial to creating further opportunities across the board. With a strong team that pushes commercial banking, Banif offers SMEs a whole range of products and services that help small businesses and start-ups finance, manage and grow their operations. Our 5^th Anniversary slogan 'Moving forward together' is not hyperbole but an open invitation for the public to bank with us!"

Chairman Dr Michael Frendo said, "Banif is well established, respected and enjoys the trust of the public. The Bank was created specifically to operate exclusively in Malta and plays an important role in the local economy. The Bank operates cautiously and employs sound corporate governance, keeping customers always in focus."

With a 160-strong team of employees that drives the Bank's operations and ten branches, Banif clients are serviced further through e-channels including ATMs and internet banking along with a customer care department, a trading room, and a corporate and business banking unit that offers trade finance, located in Spinola, St Julians.

"Banif Bank Malta has been a tremendous success and looks to have even greater days ahead. It is a fine partnership of Maltese investors and foreign expertise. The bank remains on a trajectory of growth, enjoying profitability, employing scores of people, developing products for the Maltese market, embracing technology and planning for the future. This is a story that sends a message that Malta welcomes investors who create jobs, has a lively financial sector and is a pro-enterprise island," commented Dr Chris Cardona Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business who inaugurated the new Banif Bank branch in Siggiewi.

With two awards for Best Banking Group - Malta given by World Finance for two consecutive years in 2010 and 2011 in recognition of the Bank's financial performance, sound corporate governance and provision of innovative client solutions, the Bank has also in place a Corporate Social Responsibility programme that sees part of its profits go to investments in social, cultural, charitable and educational initiatives in the community.