Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1199625
16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 JANUARY 2020 COMMERCIAL BANK of Valletta has over the end of the year successfully up- graded its information technol- ogy systems, through the re- placement of its core banking IT system. The Bank resumed its banking operations across its channels by the 1st January, ahead of the planned schedule. "With the implementation of the Core Banking Transforma- tion Programme, Bank of Val- letta has achieved a critical mile- stone of the Group's strategy for 2020 and beyond. The new core banking system lays the foun- dation for a stronger Bank and paves the way for the implemen- tation of a comprehensive digi- talisation strategy," stated Rick Hunkin, Chief Executive Officer at Bank of Valletta. "The Core Banking Transformation Pro- gramme is key to the Bank's fu- ture sustainability and its ability to continue implementing key innovative business initiatives as well as increased operational efficiency. Our staff have been instrumental in this changeo- ver and their commitment and dedication has been exemplary." "Bank of Valletta underwent a major and complex operation. This was not a straight-forward upgrade of a minor system, but it involved the decommission- ing of major banking systems, and replacing them within a new state-of-the-art core bank- ing IT system," stated Joseph Agius, BOV Chief Technology Officer. "It was the culmination of three years of hard work by our staff from all areas of busi- ness who worked side by side so that they could make this pro- gramme happen." "We are truly proud of our staff who worked relentlessly and for very long hours over the holiday season to ensure that the imple- mentation of the new system would be successfully carried out with the least disruption to our customers", said Ernest Agius, BOV Chief Operations Officer. "Over the past twelve months, our staff underwent intensive training and they are now becoming more conversant with the new system." Bank of Valletta would like to thank all its customers, partners and stakeholders including the Central Bank of Malta, MFSA, other local banks, various gov- ernment entities and consti- tuted bodies for their full and constant support throughout this period. Bank of Valletta successfully replaces its core banking system DOCTORS for Road Safety (D4RS) launched in the beginning of October 2019 the 6th edition of Fundacion MAP- FRE Street Smart Road Safety Campaign with the aim of promoting road safety awareness through educational sessions held at Schools across Malta. This year D4RS will also hold ses- sions for Higher Schools in collabo- ration with Fundación MAPFRE who had introduced the initiative in Mal- tese Primary School but has decided to extend it to a more mature audience (aged 16 to 18 years old) just before they start their driving experience. The road safety awareness activity will also consist of interactive games wherein students can get vouchers for free driving lessons thus ensuring they will start on the right foot. These school visits are carried out by Medical Students accompanied by a doctor who give out educational and informative sessions about the implications of road safety. D4RS representatives also distribute a vari- ety of merchandise material related to road safety education to the students across these numerous schools. Fur- thermore, D4RS commissioned two videos for educational purposes that contain strong messages in favour of road safety. D4RS is a voluntary organisation set up by Doctors and Medical Students as a group of professionals who direct- ly witness the repercussions of road traffic incidents on a regular basis whist on the job. The NGO's mission is to place Road Safety firmly on the National Agenda by raising awareness, educating peers, educating the public and advocating with relevant stake- holders. Attending a school activity last De- cember, MAPFRE Middlesea CEO Felipe Navarro said, "Both D4RS and Fundación MAPFRE strongly recog- nise the need for awareness through education of our peers and the public, and as a result, these two entities have set out on a mission to help drive road safety in Malta." Since the launch of D4RS, the organi- sation has been very tentative in shar- ing information in order to encourage the safest attitudes and behaviours on the road. Since it is becoming in- creasingly more imperative to adopt safe road behaviours and attitudes, Fundación MAPFRE will continue to support D4RS in their commitment to help sustain road safety within Malta. Fundación MAPFRE supports Street Smart Road Safety Campaign in collaboration with D4RS