HSBC Malta’s investment in new technologies to create new delivery channels could provide a template for banking organisations in other Commonwealth countries to improve both the quality of their service and their profitability.

The benefits of investment in technology, that allows banks to provide a 24-hours-a-day service through ATMs, mobile services and internet banking, among others, was one of the main topics of discussion during a visit to HSBC by a group of high-ranking officials from banking and financial institutions and the public sector from a number of Commonwealth countries.

The meeting was part of a workshop on Banking and Finance, organised by the Islands and Small States Institute within the Foundation for International Studies. The workshop was aimed at providing an opportunity for those operating in the banking and financial industries, particularly in small states or islands, to share best practice in the field. The workshop was organised in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

During their visit to HSBC, the delegates were shown an introductory video on the HSBC group and had the opportunity to discuss HSBC Malta’s operations with the bank’s assistant manager corporate strategy and research Mario Felice, operational support services manager Steve Zarb and head of financial institutions group and international banking centre Charles Cini.