The package on offer has a fixed rate of 3.99% per annum for the whole duration of the loan. Those who apply during the months of October and November 2019 can make the most of a special discounted fixed rate of 3.8% per annum.

HSBC Malta explains that the Annual Percentage Rate of Charge (APRC) on a Green Loan of €10,000, repayable over seven years at a fixed borrowing rate of 3.8% per annum, will be 3.9%. “No processing fee is applicable for Green Loan applications. The loan will be repayable in 83 equal monthly instalments of €136.02 and one final instalment of €136.95. The total amount paid after seven years will be €11,426.61,” the press statement says.

HSBC has increased the cap of its Green Loans to a maximum of €50,000, which can be used for the purchase of electric cars, hybrid cars, solar panels, thermal insulation and other eco-friendly products.

Additionally, the bank has simplified its approval process: customers only need to provide an order form confirming that a deposit has been paid with the eventual loan then being credited to their respective bank account.

“The environment and its protection have always been priorities for HSBC Malta and are an integral part of how we run our business. This new offering is aimed at positioning HSBC Malta as the bank of choice for those sustainable-conscious persons who are interested in reducing their carbon footprint and transitioning to more environmentally sustainable practices,” said Gregory Inglott, Deputy Head Retail Banking and Wealth Management at HSBC Malta.

The post Hoping to support sustainability, HSBC Malta launches green loans first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

HSBC says its new app helps to streamline money transfers and also supports biometric login, such as Touch ID and Face ID for Apple and Fingerprint ID for compatible Android devices. Alternatively, users can use a six-digit PIN for logging in.

“We have decided to link the launch of our new app to an important local initiative which will see us donate up to €20,000 to Nature Trust Malta. In this way, anyone who downloads and uses the new app will also be supporting the environment,” said Dan Robinson, Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management.

The mobile app uses up-to-date encryption technology, and allows users to view account details and balances, see their transfer history, as well as can transfer between their own accounts, pay a third-party account with HSBC Malta, pay a third-party account within the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and also make payments to companies.

Nevertheless, for third-party transactions, the payees must first be set up through the bank’s personal internet banking platform.

The post HSBC Malta to donate up to €20,000 for planting trees first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The programme centres around a workshop entitled “Needs and Wants”, which adopts gamification to get children engaged and have fun while learning. The workshop was originally developed by the Primary Mathematics Support Team at the Science Centre Pembroke within the Ministry for Education for ‘X’Hemm Weekend’, a national STEM — the academic principle of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — popularisation event and was specifically adapted for Skolasajf.

Playing the game during the workshop, children can earn credit when answering questions about financial literacy correctly and then they work on building a kite using the budget they have accumulated. Maths Support Team members and coordinators of the workshop Amanda Cilia, Analisa Magro, Francesca Cutajar and Jeanelle Attard agree that gamification makes a topic such as budgeting more interesting for children to learn the basics of budgeting.

“It is imperative that digital literacy increases across the board and especially important to start early so that children grow up understanding that one should live within their means and also plan for the future,” said David Spiteri-Gingell, Chairman of the RFCG.

“The introduction of the financial literacy topic in the Skolasajf programme is a step in the right direction, towards helping children become citizens that can make informed choices,” said Dermot Galea, CEO of the Foundation for Educational Services which manages Skolasajf. Mr Galea also lauded the partnership with HSBC, which is being consolidated every year.

The project will involve a total of 360 school children attending Skolasajf during this summer. This is one of a number of projects which HSBC Foundation and Ġemma are running in collaboration to enhance digital literacy among school children.

The post Gamification workshop aims to improve children’s financial literacy first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The initiative takes place in collaboration with the Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes (DLAP) and is aligned with the Future Skills programme of the bank, cultivating employability as well as financial capability in the communities where it operates.

“The STEM Camps initiative aims to engage students in learning STEM while developing valuable skills such as digital, learning and innovation and life skills that will facilitate students’ transition to employment and active citizenship,” said Desiree Scicluna Bugeja, Assistant Director at DLAP.

“This latest initiative builds on our ongoing cooperation with Science Centre, it exemplifies excellence in the theoretical and practical STEM education and meaningfully promotes the value of hands-on learning,” added Stuart Fairbairn, CEO of HSBC Life Assurance Malta.

Furthermore, the STEM initiative has also been extended to Year 7 students through STEM Camps@Esplora, as the press release sent to BM says.

The post HSBC launches educational STEM programme first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

HSBC Fusion was launched in October 2017 and allows small businesses to combine banking services for professional and personal life with lending needs of up to €100,000 and an annual turnover of up to €1m.

“The enhanced online experience for sole traders will save time, connect customers to the services they need, and provide access to dedicated specialists that can help. One of our ambitions at HSBC is to continue investing in the service we provide to business owners and to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit,” said Gregory Inglott, HSBC Malta Deputy Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management.

The Fusion accounts can be controlled by customers every time and each one is serviced by an HSBC specialist, the press release sent to BM says.

HSBC Bank Malta has recently launched a more streamlined bank account opening process by putting more emphasis on using the online submission of required documents as the first step. Also these days the bank is rolling out a new online banking experience.

The post HSBC upgrades Fusion service supporting self-employed first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

In his new role, Mr Debono will be responsible for the management of BNF’s commercial banking department, business development department, treasury and international banking unit.

Before this appointment, he held senior management roles within HSBC’s personal banking, risk, and commercial banking areas. Mr Debono has 20 years of experience in banking experience, having occupied various senior roles within the financial services industry.  

In addition, Mr Debono was entrusted in 2010 with the establishment and management of HSBC Malta’s first premier centre and he also headed the international banking unit, mid-market enterprises and corporate real estate and hotels. 

The post BNF Bank appoints new commercial chief first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

HSBC Malta’s offer is valid until 31 October and is available to those students — full-time enrolling or attending secondary schools, MCAST, sixth form, university or any other established post-secondary and tertiary education institution to — who route their stipend through an HSBC Malta account.

As a novelty this year, students can also use the bank’s new online account opening process, which the branch says simplifies and quickens procedures.

“After a long year of study and exams, students just want to wind down, so we launched this new account opening process to make it quicker and easier for them to open their account and continue to enjoy their summer,” said Gregory Inglott, Deputy Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management.

Having a bank account is a requirement for the majority of students in order for them to receive their stipend, HSBC Malta notes. Students opening a student account with HSBC will benefit from free internet banking, free mobile banking, a free Visa International debit card and discounted fees on withdrawals from non-HSBC ATMs, the press statement says.

“For most students stepping into the world of higher education, the opening of a bank account is often their first experience with a financial institution. That is the reason why we want to engage with them at this point so they can start to develop good personal finance habits and have the right ideas about saving for the future,” added Mr Inglott.

HSBC Malta recently launched a new personal internet banking service, which upgrade happens in phases to help clients familiarise with the new functions. Additionally, HSBC Malta has recently seen some appointments to its managerial team; John Bonello was appointed as the new chairman, Michel Cordina was named as Executive Director, and Joyce Grech was appointed Head of Commercial Banking and Gerard Walsh as the bank’s new Chief Risk Officer.

The post HSBC Malta posts new offer for students first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The course started in October 2018 and has involved a series of talks on water conservation, energy consumption, waste management and reduction, and sustainable development. 

It has been designed by Dr Alexandra Mifsud from the Centre of Environmental Education Research (CEER) at the University of Malta and Amanda Zahra from the Water and Energy Agency.

Funded by the HSBC Water Programme, this event was directed at businesses, where members of staff were trained on the change of behaviour they can make related to the safeguarding of the environment and leading a more sustainable lifestyle both at home and at the workplace, as the press release says. 

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a main focus of the “Together for Sustainability” course, are in line with what CSR is all about and that is the reason why the CORE Platform was given an opportunity to speak on the subject during the last session, the press statement underscores.

CSR awareness raising

The aim of the European CSR day is to raise awareness on what CSR is, the importance of having it incorporated within a business strategy and framework, and the benefits that it yields, both to the company and its employees, as well as to the community and environment it operates in.

Helga Ellul, President of CORE Platform, explained that CSR must always start internally. From here one can then start engaging in CSR activities outside of the company. Nowadays, consumers and customers are becoming more aware of responsible corporations, in fact, many are those that choose the services of a company that engages in CSR instead of one that does not, Ms Ellul added.

Thus, CSR helps to improve the reputation of the business as well and it must also never be done solely to gain a better image as that will not work in the long-run. 

Finally, Ms Ellul focused on the misconception of CSR being charity is still an issue and that this is something that one needs to work on to overcome.

Developing sustainable economies

“At HSBC, we are proud to be playing a leading role in developing sustainable economies internationally and locally. Today, our sustainability approach focuses on three main areas: sustainable finance; sustainable supply chains; and employability and financial capability. In each of these areas, we have begun to take genuine strides forward,” said HSBC Bank Malta CEO Andy Beane.

“We have set out a series of commitments to contribute to the global transition to a low-carbon economy. We have also pledged long-term support to help people access education and training, so they can acquire the skills they need to succeed in today’s workplace,” Mr Beane added. “And through our partnerships with customers, NGOs and other key stakeholders, we are encouraging responsible business in global supply chains. Bringing together more than 500 people from over 60 organisations across Malta to learn about sustainability is core to this strategy as we need to work together to accelerate the country’s transition to a low carbon, sustainable future that we can feel proud to pass on to the next generation,” the HSBC Malta chief concluded.

The post Malta CSR Institute holds last session of sustainability course first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The customers are asked to file all the needed paperwork online and complete their application prior to turning up at a branch of the bank. After filing the documentation, the bank calls and offers an appointment, avoiding to queue later on. At the end of the process, the clients immediately receive their bank cards and equipment to log into their internet banking.

Furthermore, Premier account customers receive a travel cover, as well as some additional rewards of the HSBC Premier World Mastercard. HSBC Advance account holders are also eligible for travel insurance and all the rewards that come with the HSBC Advance Visa Platinum card. Customers eligible for a regular account are offered internet banking and mobile banking.

“Our customers told us opening a bank account was too difficult. We listened to their feedback and I am excited that we have launched a brand-new experience which I believe will change the way people feel about opening bank accounts in Malta and Gozo,” said Daniel Robinson, HSBC Malta Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management. “I want to welcome new customers to HSBC and I believe the changes we have made will make this simpler, better and faster for them,” he added.

By the end of this year, HSBC also foresees to launch an upgraded mobile application and to revamp its internet banking services.

Daniel Robinson, HSBC Malta Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, explains in the video below how the online application takes place, and what further improvement his bank expects this year.

The post HSBC Bank Malta streamlines bank account opening process first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Under the agreement, the two parties will work on several joint projects including country-specific seminars, training and education programmes, and international trade missions. The two sides consider the current partnership to be the development of their growing relationship, after having recently renewed a strategic support agreement for another three years.

“We recognise the role collaboration plays in bringing new ideas in a changing global trade scenario. HSBC is committed to supporting business and export innovation and we are looking forward to continuing our strong and established relationship with TradeMalta,” said Michel Cordina, Executive Director and Head of Business Development of HSBC Malta.

Malta International Business Awards deadline nearing

HSBC is also the strategic sponsor of TradeMalta’s signature ‘Malta International Business Awards’ (MIBA) offered for the second time in 2019. Applications for the awards will be closed at 17:00 on Friday 28 June 2019, while finalists will be announced on 31 July. Winners will be announced during a ceremony on 22 November.

The awards are open to all enterprises with a good internationalisation story to tell, be they exporters of products, providers of services, franchisors or international businesses with head office functions in Malta. Participants can make submissions for one or more award categories.

A brainchild of TradeMalta with the strategic support of HSBC Malta, the initiative enjoys the endorsement of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, the sponsorship of audit firm Grant Thornton, the partnership of marketing communications firm BPC International Ltd, and the architectural signing company Big Exhibits.

The post HSBC and TradeMalta open incubator room for firms eyeing foreign markets first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.