Banif Bank (Malta) wins Best Banking Group Malta 2013

The Bank's Chief Executive Officer Joaquim F. Silva Pinto was presented the award at the London Stock Exchange. This is the third time that Banif Malta has won the award, having clinched it in 2010 and 2011. The award recognises the Bank's sound financial performance, strong corporate governance and innovative client solutions.

During an interview at the London Stock Exchange Mr Silva Pinto highlighted the Bank's successes saying that the best result is the public's idea of the Bank. "When we communicated our fifth anniversary this year, the public was surprised that we've only been here for five years! The public perception is that Banif has been around for so much longer! And this is the best acknowledgement the Bank can get!"

Banif Bank (Malta) has registered good results in a challenging market, experiencing rapid expansion and a growth rate that's faster than other banks'. With percentage growth in assets of 59%, 71% growth in deposits, 13% growth in loans, 11% growth in net operating income and 24% growth in client relationships, the Bank is firmly set on a course of expansion, supported by a dedicated team of employees , a retail network of ten branches and a Corporate and Business Banking Unit.

Innovative client solutions are developed through new-on-the-market products and product privileges, and an alternative customer experience. The Bank's sound corporate governance is based on checks and balances, ethical operations, a cautious outlook and mitigation of risk, as well as CSR commitments.

Mr Silva Pinto concluded his interview by outlining the Bank's vision for the future. "Banif Bank Malta will keep a consistent strategy of reaching targets and growing volumes, in a context of slow market conditions. We aim to increase the Bank's local market share according to projections, grow operations according to market needs, continue on a programme of investment in human resources, keep the customer at the centre of all that we do and work strategically on the provision of services to SMEs to strengthen the local environment of open business.

"This year Banif's community investment programme targeted diverse sectors of society, with activities involving art, culture, philanthropy and education. Our programme is coming to an end for this year, and will culminate in The President's Charity Fun Run in December which the Bank supports in a big way and which we're all looking forward to. Apart from our sponsorship Banif mobilises other resources in order make the event a smooth one on the day, while helping the MCCF with the logistics by accepting application forms at our Branches. We urge the public to once again join us in this event, to help make it the biggest one ever, and generate even more funds for those in need."