The range of services that Bank of Valletta is making available through internet banking and its customer service centre is becoming more extensive as new developments and enhancements are being made possible, thanks to the bank’s highly advanced IT platform.

BOV has announced that, with immediate effect, BOV internet banking users can open new deposit accounts directly through the internet banking channel. Customers can open savings accounts, term deposit accounts, current accounts, easysave accounts, cheque reserve accounts and premier deposit accounts.

BOV also announced that income tax payments or social security contributions payable to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue may now be paid through the bill payment facility available on BOV internet banking or by calling the BOV customer service centre on 2131-2020. The service is free and subscribers will only be required to provide the “payment reference” which will be featuring on all bills issued by the Commissioner. This reference incorporates all the taxpayer’s and payment type information, and is verified for validity at keying-in stage, thereby ensuring that no mistakes are made in the data input process. On receipt of payment, the Commissioner will mail a formal receipt to all taxpayers effecting payment through these channels.

Another new service being launched allows BOV internet banking users to link their new accounts to their existing Cashlink card. In this way, customers will also be able to access and manage accounts they open on the internet through their Cashlink card.

Apart from these new services, BOV has also announced a functionality enhancement whereby personal customers may enable or disable the use of existing accounts held in their name through the bank’s 24x7 services. This can be done directly, either through BOV internet banking or through the bank’s customer service centre.

“Through Bank of Valletta’s drive to enhance internet banking and other alternative delivery channels, we are pushing further the limits of 24x7 banking for the benefit of all customers who enjoy transacting from the comfort of their home or office,” said Bank of Valletta multi-channel banking head Ray Azzopardi. “These new services continue to enhance our product offer and to position Bank of Valletta as the leading provider of internet banking and other 24x7 services in Malta.

“Since BOV launched internet banking in Malta in 2000, our aim has been to provide a straightforward, efficient, secure and added value service to our customers. The popularity of these services, with over three million transactions being effected annually through these channels, underlines the value that they are delivering to our customers,” Mr Azzopardi added.

Elaborating on the new services, Mr Azzopardi said, “For those accounts where an introductory reference will be required, such as in the case of customers who do not already hold a current account, they will be requested to provide full details of a referee and will be informed that the account will be operative once the information requested from the referee is received. Customers opening accounts through BOV 24x7 services will also be requested to produce an authenticated copy of their ID document within 15 days at the relevant branch, if this is not already held on the bank’s records.

“This is what makes technology fascinating. Services can be made available to customers in an instant and in a most effective, secure and confidential manner. This is the result of Bank of Valletta’s substantial investment in setting up a most robust IT platform with the aim of being supportive to its customers by offering added value,” Mr Azzopardi concluded.