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7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 AUGUST 2025 COMMERCIAL BOV commences share buyback programme BANK of Valletta is pleased to announce the formal com- mencement of its Share Buyback Programme, effective 18 August 2025. This initiative marks a sig- nificant milestone, positioning BOV as the first credit institu- tion in Malta to implement such a scheme aimed at enhancing market liquidity and delivering sustained value to shareholders. The Bank has allocated €7.8 million from H1 profits as a share buyback reserve. The Share Buyback Programme, which forms part of BOV's broader Shareholder Value Optimiza- tion Framework, is designed to increase the trading liquidity of BOV shares and provide an alternative exit route for share- holders who wish to dispose of the shares at a reasonable mar- ket price. Under the approved frame- work, the Bank is authorised to repurchase up to 3,060,000 shares on the Malta Stock Ex- change over a period of 12 months. This mechanism will be activated in instances where shares placed for sale remain unacquired by other market participants. The programme operates on a voluntary basis, with the Bank enhancing market depth by facilitating trading in its shares. Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Cardona, explained how the programme will work, stating that the Bank's Share Buyback Programme, as endorsed by shareholders at the latest AGM and approved by the regulator, is designed to enhance market liquidity and provide an order- ly exit mechanism for share- holders unable to find a buyer within a reasonable timeframe. "Purchases will be executed at a price not exceeding the last in- dependent trade or the highest current independent bid, with- in a range of €1.55 to €2.55 per share. The shares that will be re- purchased will not be cancelled but retained as Treasury Shares, allowing for future reintegration into the Bank's capital structure through initiatives that reinforce long-term shareholder value. The programme is governed by a comprehensive policy frame- work that ensures compliance with Market Abuse Regulations (MAR), transparency, and equi- table treatment of all sharehold- ers." The Bank's Chairperson Dr Gordon Cordina and CEO Ken- neth Farrugia expressed satisfac- tion on the launch of the Share Buyback Programme. "Through this programme, the Bank con- tinues to extend value to its shareholders. We have recently introduced a number of initia- tives, including the bonus share issue and the half year dividend announcement, that are all aimed at rewarding sharehold- ers for the trust they continue to place in the Bank. The Share Buyback Programme continues along this vein." The Chairper- son and CEO also noted that there has been much interest in the Bank's equity of late, and trading volumes have also in- creased significantly, especially following the positive finan- cial performance that the BOV Group registered in the first six months of the year. BOV's Share Buyback Pro- gramme is operating in full transparency. All transactions executed under the programme will be disclosed to the market through Company Announce- ments on the Malta Stock Ex- change website and will also be accessible on the Bank's website under the Investor Relations section. Launch of fully integrated self-service sports betting terminal with lottery product dispensing IN a major milestone for the betting and lottery industries, National Lottery plc (Mal- ta), a fully-owned subsidiary of IZIGROUP, in collaboration with Brightstar Lottery, formerly In- ternational Game Technology (IGT) and Playtech, has unveiled the world's first fully integrated Self-Service SportsBetting Ter- minal (SSBT) that also dispenses lottery products, combining two traditionally distinct gaming ver- ticals into a single, seamless cus- tomer experience. This cutting-edge solution re- defines convenience and accessi- bility, offering players the ability to place sports bets and purchase lottery tickets from the same us- er-friendly interface. The inno- vation is designed to meet the growing consumer demand for efficient and integrated solutions that support a wide range of bet- ting and draw-based games within an intuitive format. "This is more than just a ter- minal - it's a transformative step toward the future of retail betting and lottery," said Mr. Cristian Ra- chieru – Group Head of Digital Product at IZIGROUP. "For the first time, players can truly bene- fit from an integrated experience that combines the instant thrill of sports betting with the aspira- tional dream of lottery jackpots, all from one self-service terminal." The solution features a robust architecture capable of handling complex transactions securely, with built-in identity verification and responsible gaming tools. Its modular design allows Nation- al Lottery (Malta) to interface its product mix to local regulations and customer preferences, while also reducing operational over- head. Already in pilot across select retail locations, early data in- dicates strong customer adop- tion, increased dwell time, and cross-channel engagement. The company is currently rolling out the terminals nationwide. This innovation is expected to facilitate lottery revenue streams while offering betting shops a unique tool to modernize their re- tail footprint and attract a younger demographic. "This launch represents the con- vergence of tradition and tech- nology," added Mr. Rachieru. "By bringing lottery and sports betting to- gether in a single self-service touchpoint, we're redefining what the future of gaming looks like." KampuSajf returns for third edition at MCAST Mosta THE Malta College of Arts, Science, and Technology (MCAST) will host the third edition of KampuSajf from Au- gust 20 to 22 at its Mosta Cam- pus and amphitheatre. The fes- tival, supported by APS Bank, is co-directed by Elyse Tonna and Justin Galea. KampuSajf underlines MCAST's commitment to cul- tural engagement and the crea- tive arts, offering a platform for a range of artistic disciplines while encouraging dialogue be- tween students, practitioners and the wider public. Over three days, the Mosta campus and amphitheatre will be transformed into a vibrant cultural hub, featuring per- formances, discussions, film screenings, and live music that showcase emerging talent. This year's programme, themed 'Gathering of Possi- bilities', focuses on cross-dis- ciplinary work, environmental awareness, and community-led initiatives. Programme highlights in- clude multidisciplinary per: 20 August: What Language Do You Dream In? by Dance Be- yond Borders; Belonging Here, a curated selection of short films on identity and place; and Ir-Raġel, a collaborative artistic action led by Glen Calleja. 21 August: The Spoken Word featuring Alex Ween- ink and Sam Alekksandra; and Resonant Bodies with Sa- rah Vella and Benji Cachia. 22 August: Sounds of Ul- tralow Music: Cher Camill- eri, Dean Muscat, Kym Pepe Żummara – Old Roots, New Rhymes, an on-campus res- idency performance by Rea, Orfew and Funky Monkey, followed by a DJ set by Radju Ħaj. Performances begin at 8 pm each evening. Tickets are avail- able from ticketline.com.mt. The event is also supported by Comsec and SG Solutions. Further details are available at mcast.edu.mt.