Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1204548
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 JANUARY 2020 16 COMMERCIAL IN the wake of recent announce- ments by local banks about downsizing of their branch net- work, APS Bank CEO Marcel Cassar states that his bank has no similar plans in the pipeline. Questioned about these an- nouncements, Cassar replied: "We are a long-standing com- munity bank and still believe in the importance of being phys- ically present for our custom- ers. We have ten branches in Malta and one in Gozo, allow- ing us good coverage – and we would consider adding a cou- ple more." "This is a small network by any measure. Concurrently we are transforming our branches for the future needs of our cus- tomers, who will turn to their bankers increasingly for advice and counselling about their fi- nancial requirements. So our branches are looking more like modern living rooms with a range of spaces – from small private pods to larger meeting rooms". He added: "Equally we have been intensifying our digital presence, via an upgraded in- ternet banking platform and mobile banking. In fact we are proud to boast that the launch of our omni-channel solution 'myAPS' last summer has been a huge success. 'myAPS' enables customers to carry out transac- tions seamlessly over different digital channels as well as our branches and ATMs. Our of- fering will be further boosted by an enhanced cards offering, ATM reach and contact chan- nels over the coming months." Cassar said, "So what you are seeing is a transmutation of our channels to address the chang- ing habits of our customers while at the same time contin- uing to believe in the role, al- beit changing, of the physical branch. We believe that such a model fits our business strate- gy for the coming years". No plans for closing of branches at APS Bank Malta to join International Networking Week events BUSINESS referral organisation BNI Malta will be hosting a National Net- working Day on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. This event will be one of thousands organised around the world as part of BNI's International Networking Week. The National Networking Day, which will celebrate the key role of network- ing and business referrals in the devel- opment and success of businesses in Malta will also include the participation of Malta's Chamber of SMEs, formerly known as GRTU. The event will consist of an early morning meeting starting at 7am at The Palace Hotel in Sliema and offer both the opportunity to network with other business and community leaders and to pick up tips and information on how businesses can further grow and suc- ceed through good networking practic- es. Among the speakers at the event, which will also include a fair featuring BNI Malta members, will be Abigail Mamo, CEO at the Malta Chamber of SMEs and David Bullock, BNI Malta National Director. Information on how a business can join and directly benefit from BNI will also be available. Registration for the annual BNI Net- working Day in Malta opens at 6.30am, with the event starting at 7am and end- ing at around 9.30am, but it is ideal to allocate up to 10.30am for post-event networking. It is recommended that attendees bring along at least 100 business cards. The participation fee, including break- fast, is €10. Established in 2011, BNI Maltais part of Business Networking International, a global organisation founded thirty-five years ago in the United States by Ivan Misner. It is the world's biggest and best busi- ness referral organisation with more than 250,000 members across 70 coun- tries who refer more than US$15 billion worth of business for each other annu- ally. More information on the National Networking Day and about BNI and its chapters in Malta is available by con- tacting contact either Conway Wigg at conway.wigg@bpc.com.mt or Carmel Bonello at carmel.bonello@bpc.com. mt. Malta Chamber of SMEs CEO Abigail Mamo among the speakers at this year's National Networking Day event on 4 February