Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1514967
25.01.2024 3 NEWS 25.01.2024 THE Malta Stock Exchange has hosted the 'Ringing of the Bell' event to mark the listing of €50 million 5.8% Unse- cured Subordinated Bonds due 2028– 2033, on the Official List of the Malta Stock Exchange. In his welcome speech, Malta Stock Exchange Chairman Joseph Portelli commented: "I've seen how APS Bank works. I really respect its culture of do- ing the right things… APS has a very strong duty to its shareholders, and this is something which I fear we do not talk enough about. When you are a corporate entity, and you issue an equi- ty on any exchange, you have a serious responsibility to your shareholders… to not only create a profit and pay a dividend, but to grow that profit and dividend." Marcel Cassar, APS Bank CEO, said: "30 years ago today, I was in Gozo in preparation for an important 2-day conference that was going to launch Malta's transformation from an off- shore centre to an international finan- cial centre. ey were momentous days that would see a raft of important leg- islation come to life, including changes to the MSE Act, a new Insider Dealing Act, Banking Act, Investment Servic- es Act, Professional Secrecy Act, and much more. Because of those building blocks of 30 years ago, and of the good stewardship of the Malta Stock Ex- change throughout, we are where we are today, ringing the bell once again." e event was attended by mem- bers of APS Bank Management and colleagues who worked closest on the Bond Issue. Also, present were senior representatives from the Sponsor and Managers Rizzo Farrugia & Co., Legal Counsel Ganado Advocates and man- agement and staff of the Malta Stock Exchange. APS Bank rings Malta Stock Exchange bell again FROM PAGE 1 e NRA classifies threats with a three- pronged system – impact, likelihood and threat level. It states that the use of vir- tual financial assets, cash and prepaid cards as payment methods form part of the money laundering threat in Malta. In terms of the overall residual risks for money laundering in remote gaming and land-based gaming, the NRA defines these as 'medium'. However, for both, the effectiveness of mitigating measures is 'high'. Customer-related vulnerabilities are also of high concern for the remote gaming industry in Malta, according to the NRA. is relates to customers who have a higher level of money laundering or terrorist financing risk. e report classifies customer-related vulnerabilities as having the highest rat- ings possible across the board – 'severe' impact, 'very high' exposure and a 'high' vulnerability level for remote gaming. For remote gaming, the impact of li- censed operators being controlled by criminals is classed as 'severe'. While the likelihood is graded as 'possible', the threat level is ranked as 'medi- um-high'. Looking at land-based gaming, the re- port outlines that a large part of its mon- ey laundering threat is the use of cash. It states that the impact of laundering criminal proceeds through cash pay- ment methods is 'significant', with the likelihood of occurrence 'likely' at a 'medium-high' threat level. e risk for land-based bingo halls and national lotteries is ranked as 'low'. Recommendations for AML To mitigate money laundering, the NRA report outlines recommendations for each sector. For remote gaming and land-based gaming, the NRA recommends that they augment their risk-based approach. is involves updating customer risk profiles periodically. Both sectors should also continue to maintain risk- based customer due diligence proce- dures. Both should also monitor their trans- action monitoring systems to detect any emerging risks. e report's publication comes after a busy period for the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). Last week, the reg- ulator cancelled its fifth licence this month, and the third this week. e af- fected operators are Super7Plus, Win- ners Malta Operations, Genesis Global, Rush Gaming and Betago Limited. Other sectors e NRA provides a comprehensive assessment of the country's exposure to threats and vulnerabilities stemming from money laundering, terrorist fi- nancing, proliferation financing and targeted financial sanction risks. Malta's overall money laundering re- sidual risk has decreased when com- pared to the 2018 NRA, reflecting the effectiveness of mitigating measures implemented by authorities and the pri- vate sector. Notable improvements were reg- istered across a number of sectors, including legal persons, trust and company service providers, banking, investment services, accountants and auditors, gaming, and virtual financial assets service providers. Other sectors, in particular finan- cial institutions, real estate agents, and dealers in high-value goods, also regis- tered lower levels of risk. Nevertheless, compared to others, these sectors are susceptible to a higher risk of money laundering. Use of virtual financial assets, cash and prepaid cards increase money laundering threat in Malta