Cash handling certification for Banif Bank staff

Forty members of Banif Bank’s retail team have been certified as Professional Cash Handlers, after completing a training programme jointly developed by the Central Bank of Malta and the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU), with the support of the Malta Bankers’ Association. 

The objective of this nation-wide project is to equip cash handlers with the necessary skills to contribute towards the ongoing battle against the counterfeiting of banknotes and the prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism.

As a result, all Banif employees who handle cash through the course of their duties have excellent awareness more than ever before on the measures needed to carry out transactions in compliance with the latest rules and regulations, whilst continuing to offer a high quality service to clients. 

Presenting the certificates at Banif’s Naxxar Branch were Alexander Demarco, Central Bank Deputy Governor,  Peter Paul Tabone, Head for Currency Operations and Security at the Central Bank and Manfred Galdes, FIAU Director, in the presence of Adrian Coppini, Chief Officer Corporate Services at Banif Bank.

“This certification represents the second stage in our three phase plan, focusing on professional cash handlers working within financial institutions,” said Alexander Demarco. “Cash handlers are the first line of defence in the measures that are put in place to detect counterfeits and to prevent the financial system from being used to launder the proceeds of criminal activities.

"This joint project is in consonance with the Central Bank’s and FIAU’s objectives, and we are very pleased with the feedback received from participating institutions thus far.”

“The Bank strongly believes in the importance of training our team to keep up to date with the latest practices and standards,” said Adrian Coppini, Chief Officer Corporate Services at Banif Bank. “We believe that with the knowledge obtained from this course, our employees are better equipped to help protect the Bank and our customers, as well as the economy in which we operate.

"The objective of this presentation is to acknowledge the achievement of those receiving certificates today, as well as to underline the importance of raising awareness of the issues that institutions like ours face with regards to risk, compliance, anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism.”