Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1240944
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 APRIL 2020 10 COMMERCIAL AS COVID-19 sweeps across the world, life as we know it has come to a tempo- rary halt with most people resorting to the internet to tend to their everyday needs. While communities adapt to this new reality brought about by the importance of social distancing, 'Malta Together' have developed a non-profit centralised online platform; www.MaltaTogether. com. The portal serves as a one-stop website, featuring initiatives, streamlined information, activities for kids and teens as well as online classes for all the family. "BNF Bank supports this creative non-profit initiative as it provides a great informative space, encourages creativity and most importantly brings our com- munity together despite social distanc- ing," Michael Collis, BNF Bank CEO and Managing Director, said. "Our collaboration with Malta Together serves to further support the local com- munity and help the nation stay positive during this crisis." The feedback from users of the platform has been highly positive to date. A spokesperson for Malta Together said that comments and reactions have so far been positive, and that the platform had received hundreds of messages of thanks from users. "The website viewing is already around 2,000 views per day with constant en- gagement from people all over Malta and Gozo," the spokesperson said. Malta Together aims to continue ex- panding by adding more services and initiatives every day. Submissions of ser- vices or initiatives can be made free of charge through the website www.malta- together.com. BNF Bank supports 'Malta Together' APS Bank has launched the APS Jet Pack, another initiative in response to the COV- ID-19 crisis. The APS Jet Pack is the survival kit for local businesses experiencing cash flow problems. The loan will provide work- ing capital assistance to cover a number of costs - such as salaries and rental, energy and water bills and acquisition of material/stock for business continuity. The APS Jet Pack benefits from the support of the MDB COVID-19 Guaran- tee Scheme launched by the Malta De- velopment Bank through the provision of a Bank Guarantee for €350,000,000 covered by a government guarantee is- sued by the Ministry of Finance. Features at a glance: • Up to €8 million depending on the size of the business. • No charges and fees from the Bank. • Rate starting from 2.75% (inclusive of guarantee fee) fixed for a loan of four years' duration for an SME. • Commitment to pass on to the cus- tomer any additional governmental aid, such as interest rate subsidy, once this becomes available. • Repayment period of up to four years, which can be extended to six years on a case-by-case basis (terms and conditions apply). • Six-month moratorium on both the interest payments and capital re- payments (possibly extended to one year on a case-by-case basis). To discuss options, eligibility and ap- plication modalities, customers are invited to reach out to their Relation- ship Manager. Alternatively, they can call APS Contact Centre on 2122 6644 (Monday to Saturday 8:00 to 20:00) or email to the COVID-19 Business Re- sponse Team at covid19@apsbank.com. mt. More information on APS Jet Pack can be found at www.apsbank.com.mt/aps- jet-pack APS Bank touts new Jet Pack as the survival kit for local businesses BOV staff are lending a helping hand so the community can remain safe at home. Together they conceived BOV Safe@Home, an initiative where BOV staff tap into their talents to create orig- inal and fun material during their own personal time, to share with the local community. Recipes, crafts, fitness, art and vari- ous other interests are just a few of the activities in the pipeline. BOV staff are producing videos from their own homes to share with others at home, with the strong belief that creativity has positive effects on mental health, helps develop new skills, and takes up some of the time that people may have on their hands. From a budding idea, this initiative has already grown, with more employees contributing by shar- ing their talents and hobbies with the local community. A number of the Bank's Partners, such as Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, Te- atru Manoel, The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and Birdlife (Malta) imme- diately embarked on the BOV Safe@ Home project. They will be collab- orating with their own initiatives, shared through the Bank's channels to bring even more educational and fun activities to everyone's home. To be part of the BOV Safe @Home, simply follow the BOV Facebook page (bovofficial), BOV Instagram (bov- bankofvalletta) or log on to https:// www.bov.com/content/bov-safe-at- home. BOV staff help the community to stay Safe@Home