Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/476647
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 11 MARCH 2015 11 Business Today www.creditinfo.com.mt info@creditinfo.com.mt Tel: 2131 2344 Your Local Partner for Credit Risk Management Solutions Supporting you all the way Download the MaltaToday App now Izola Bank marks its 21st anniversary in Malta with a rebranded identity and new products Izola Bank p.l.c. has launched a re- branded identity to mark its 21 years of successful banking operations in Malta. With a clearly stated ambition of establishing itself as "the preferred second choice" for customers' banking requirements, Izola Bank has set its sights on future growth and a wider depositor base. The rebranded identity was revealed at an event for the bank's local customers and bondholders on Tuesday 3 March 2015 and it comes as a result of a two-year exercise undertaken by the bank's board and management. "The aim of this rebranding project is to correctly position the bank in the markets in which it operates with future growth and development in mind. The new branding recognises that the bank will never become its customers' primary bank. However the bank can offer valid products that add value and that can complement its customers' existing banking arrangements. Izola Bank can be a good second bank and a preferred second choice," explained Andrew Mifsud, Izola Bank Chief Executive Officer. In line with this growth strategy, the Bank has also launched two new products – Izola Saver and Izola Saver Plus – both offering advantageous interest. Izola Saver is a straightforward, online savings account which can be opened for as little as €25. Money deposited in an Izola Saver account is not locked in for a period of time, deposits can be added as you go along and withdrawals are at the customer's own discretion. This product offers a competitive interest rate thus helping account holders to earn money on their savings. An Izola Saver account is tied to a primary bank account held with another bank, so funds will always be transferred to or from this one source account, giving customers extra peace of mind. For customers who are looking for an even greater return, Izola Saver Plus is an online Term Deposit account with terms varying from 3 months to 5 years, offering competitive interest rates of up to 3.3% per annum as well as a minimum starting deposit of just €500. Laferla Insurance staff members and directors donate €5,000 to Dar Tal-Providenza A substantial donation was raised by Laferla Insurance Agency Ltd staff members during Dress Down Days, which take place every last Friday of each month; with an additional sum being donated by the directors of the company. Above: Fr Martin Micallef, of Dar Tal-Providenza, thanked all staff members and the company's directors for their generosity. HSBC Malta's Banking on Women AGM 2015 Banking on Women (BoW) will be organising a range of social activities this year, including cooking lessons, parenting skills sessions, and a vari- ety of expert talks, geared towards de- stressing and promoting greater work- life balance among its members. The organised activities will be in addition to the usual mix of philanthropic, developmental and cultural activities hosted by BoW all year round. This was announced by the new BoW President Natalie Meilak during this year's Annual General Meeting, which saw a record attendance of 135 women. BoW is a voluntary female association within HSBC Bank Malta which aims to actively support women in realising their career ambitions within the bank as well as other life goals. Moving away from tradition, BoW will open up to male participation in a number of its events and activities. Natalie Meilak said: "We have continued to evolve organically for more than a decade, and are now encouraging both females and males to join our activities. Members will be offered free talks and events, and courses at substantial discounts. Family and friends can also participate in certain activities." Notable events in 2014 were an artistic session, 'Theatrum Melitense II', by Brian Grima, a yoga session, high tea at Palazzo Parisio, a session on stress relief by Kathleen Vella, and an end of summer networking event at Haywharf Valletta, among other. The 2015 calendar is packed with a slew of engaging activities, including a cooking lesson for males at ITS, a talk by Italian designer at Idea Casa, another talk on fashion by a MEXX stylist, and pilates sessions. The new 2015 BoW committee members are: President Natalie Meilak, Membership Secretary Alexandra Pace, Secretary Charmaine Attard, Treasurer Laverne Calleja Pace, Public Relations Officer Samantha Hollyoak, Events Coordinator Loredana Mallia, and member Elizabeth Vella. During the event the BoW committee particularly thanked its supporters: HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c., Hilton Malta, and Krea. The new Banking on Women committee members during the Annual General Meeting Wakett (Malta) Limited opens at SmartCity Malta Wakett (Malta) Limited has started its operations at SmartCity Malta. The company is a provider of IT sup- port and maintenance services for the hardware and software utilised by the Wakett Currency Fund, a recently launched Maltese Alternative Invest- ment Fund (AIF) regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. The company supports trading software for financial markets and also provides custom software, personalised platforms, data models, trading strategies, system consulting and migration support to clients. Speaking about the reasons why Wakett (Malta) Limited decided to establish its base in Malta, the Company's CEO, Sam Bratchie said, "Manuele Marini, the Project Manager of the Company has relocated to Malta from Italy to establish and launch a Maltese regulated alternative investment fund – the Wakett Currency Fund. "Manuele is now a Portfolio Manager of the Fund, regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. Malta is considered a highly regulated financial services jurisdiction within the European Union and provides a 'European' base from which the Wakett Currency Fund can be marketed throughout the EU." "We selected SmartCity in Malta as our operational base because it provides a world-class intelligent infrastructure designed to provide assured business continuity, an ambient working environment and a responsive support system. We are also delighted to be operating from a business facility that has and continues to adopt globally benchmarked environmentally friendly practices which makes its global network of self-sustained business parks highly energy and resource efficient," Mr Bratchie concluded. Wakett (Malta) Limited is open on weekdays (excluding public holidays) from 8.30am to 6.30pm and is located at SCM01 Unit G03, SmartCity Malta. For further information, kindly visit www. wakett.com.