Insight Newsletter 1 | 2024

 

 

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Dear Readers, 

The first quarter of 2024 has already built up momentum with regard to participation in events – mostly overseas. These events have taken the FinanceMalta team across the globe, with our hardworking representatives going to the US and Dubai, apart from events within Europe. FinanceMalta also attended an event in Italy, marking our first visit to the country in four years!Yet again, these events have been supported by our members, with several accompanying us to fly the flag.

An important event at the beginning of the year was a networking meeting for FinanceMalta’s members, an opportunity to present our strategy and plans for the year ahead.

The momentum will continue over the coming months, with participation planned at the leading FinTech event Innovate Finance Global Summit in London in April, and Money20/20 Europe in Amsterdam in June.

The topic of sustainable finance, which has been embraced by FinanceMalta, will be tackled during the AFME Sustainable Finance Conference in Amsterdam in May, while asset management and investment funds will be discussed at 0100 CEE in Prague and EMex London: The Emerging Manager Exchange in April.

We are also organising a breakfast briefing in London aimed at Crypto Asset Service Providers as well as their advisors regarding Malta’s MICA-readiness. The Malta Financial Services Authority is a leader in this space, having equipped itself with the required knowledge and experience since the launching of the Virtual Financial Assets Act in 2018. Much activity is also taking place in Malta. FinanceMalta is partnering up and supporting a Private Wealth event, XBRL Europe, and Green Vision Summit & EXPO to be held in Malta in the coming weeks. Of course, our primary focus remains our 17th annual conference which, this year, will be held at the Hilton Malta on 29th November 2024.

FinanceMalta has also been working on the annual report for 2023, which is to be launched in the second quarter, an important document which showcases the successful efforts made last year to promote the island as a financial services jurisdiction.

Work continues on various other fronts, including the national strategy for financial services through the Malta Financial Services Advisory Council, and on mapping financial literacy initiatives across various stakeholders. With so many initiatives in the pipeline, it is impossible to mention everything here, but I invite you to keep on following our social media updates, and to like, and subscribe to keep updated.

Best regards,

Dr. Bernice Buttigieg
Chief Strategy Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

The INSIGHT Interview: Alexiei Dingli, professor of AI at the University of Malta Faculty of ICT

The Artificial Intelligence Act will soon come into force across the EU. FinanceMalta caught up with Alexiei Dingli, professor of AI at the University of Malta Faculty of ICT, to find out what it will mean for financial services.

Read more

 

 

The INSIGHT Interview: Joe Portelli, Chairman, Malta Stock Exchange

Many of the entities mentioned in the Malta Financial Services Advisory Council (MFSAC) national strategy for financial services had already started implementing the changes outlined in the action points – and the Malta Stock Exchange is no exception. Vanessa Macdonald caught up with Chairman Joe Portelli to find out more.

Read more

 

 

Malta as the place of choice to apply for a MiCAR licence

Discover why Malta has emerged as the premier destination for obtaining a Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) license. In an article authored by Dr. Ian Gauci and Dr. Cherise Abela Grech of GTG Advocates, delve into the significance of MiCAR’s approval and how it positions the European Union as a leading authority in regulating crypto-assets.

Read more

 

 

Members Spotlight: Nium

Nium’s Global Head of Card Business, Mark Anthony Spiteri, explains how the company became a global leader in real-time payments, able to move money in over 100 currencies to over 190 countries.

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Members Spotlight: Konforma

Over the past 12 years, Sandra Borg, owner and managing director of Konforma Ltd, has steadily expanded her own competence and knowledge of corporate governance, compliance and risk management. She explained that this development aligned with the industry’s increasing emphasis on robust risk management practices and compliance frameworks. 

Read more

 

 

Members Spotlight: Contact Advisory Services

Leveraging her strategic insight, Audrey is spearheading the evolution of Contact Advisory Services, strategically positioning the company as a leading provider of comprehensive corporate services.

Read more

 

 

Members Spotlight: Talentbet

TalentBet is an igaming and fintech recruitment specialist which was established in February 2023. Meet Sennette Lam, a dynamic and accomplished professional in the business world, currently serving as the CEO of Talentbet. 

Read more

 

 

Women in Finance

 

 

 

Women in Finance: Alexia Farrugia, Actaco Financial

As we celebrate Women’s Day, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the journey of empowerment and inspiration that many women undertake in various fields. For me, this journey has been intricately woven with my profession and the founding and growth of Actaco Financial, a boutique firm specialising in governance, risk management, and Anti Money Laundering (AML) services.

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Women in Finance: Miriam Sultana, PKF Malta

From her formative years, navigating the complexities of gender expectations to her groundbreaking work in the emerging field of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) economics, Miriam shares her story of breaking barriers, building a successful career, and embracing the dual roles of motherhood and professional leadership. 

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Women in Finance: Jeanelle Newell, Apex Malta

Explore the inspiring journey of Jeanelle Newell, a woman who defied norms and rose through the ranks of the finance industry. From starting out in retail banking to leading compliance at a global firm, Jeanelle shares her story of overcoming challenges, balancing career and family, and pursuing her passions.

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MFSA’s Company Service Providers Reform Reduces Sector’s Risk Levels

The Maltese regulator for financial services, the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), is proposing the introduction into Maltese law of a framework for Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) structured as Limited Partnerships without separate legal personality.

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Malta ranks 4th in report on Startup Nations 

Malta ranked fourth out of 21 countries that took part in the Startup Nations Standards Report released in March, scoring a perfect 100% in a number of metrics.

Read more

 

 

The Malta Bankers’ Association is joining other national banking associations in Europe to celebrate European Money Week.

This is the 10th year that the MBA is supporting the event, coordinated by the European Banking Federation, which is aimed at fostering financial literacy and education for young people in more than 35 countries.

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ĠEMMA’s seminar on the findings of a survey on financial literacy in Malta

A study of Maltese residents showed that 25% of respondents could not afford a major shock which resulted in them losing their income for a three-month period, while 38% were confident or very confident that they would enjoy a good standard of living in their retirement.

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A Look Back at: Malta – Innovative New Solutions for Asset Managers – London

Throughout the event, our speakers delved into Malta’s innovative solutions for asset management, highlighting why Malta stands as an ideal jurisdiction for launching funds as well as the benefits of what Malta has to offer such as its highly skilled workforce, linguistic diversity, stability, and exceptional service standards.

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FinanceMalta presents strategy and activities for 2024 in its members’ meeting

FinanceMalta organised a meeting for its members to come together in its first networking event of the year, during which they were also offered a sneak peek into the opportunities and events ahead.

Read more

 

 

 

 

 



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Highlights | Q1 International Events 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming International Events for 2024

Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for upcoming events 

 

 









 

 

Upcoming FinanceMalta events

Leading Across Continents, an online session hosted by FinanceMalta

and the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC).

13th March | 12:00 pm (CET) | Available on all of FinanceMalta’s social media pages

 

 

 

 

#FinTalks podcast

Stay tuned to our website for new episodes of the #FinTalks podcast series

 

 

 

Website

 

 

Spotify

 

 









 

 

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FinanceMalta is the public-private initiative set up to promote Malta as an International Financial Centre. This newsletter is prepared for information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. It may be reproduced provided that due acknowledgement is given.

 

 







 

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