Some 920 local Shareholders accepted an invitation to meet the Board and Management of HSBC Bank Malta plc at its recent Shareholders’ Meeting, a regular annual event.

“We now have some 9200 local Shareholders which is a substantial increase on the 2,300 when HSBC acquired Mid-Med Bank” said Mr Shaun Wallis, Chief Executive Office at HSBC Bank Malta plc “And over that period the share price has grown 455 per cent.”

“A 10 per cent response rate to an invitation to meet management is excellent and says a lot for the loyalty and engagement of our Shareholders.”

The meeting covered current developments and performance of the Bank as well as strategies for the future and was addressed by HSBC Malta Chairman, Albert Mizzi, the CEO, Shaun Wallis and Chief Operating Officer, Sally Robson.

David Budd, chief operating officer of the majority shareholder and parent HSBC Bank UK plc, was also present and commented that the contribution generated by HSBC in Malta has been exceptional – in terms of shareholder value, customer service, development of the financial sector and community charity.

“HSBC is committed to involving and listening to all its stakeholders – be they shareholders, customers or staff,” said Mr Mizzi, HSBC Chairman. “We aim to remain the best bank for customer service in Malta, to be the best place to work and to provide the best return to our shareholders.”

Mr Wallis explained to shareholders the continued improvement in the underlying performance of the bank’s key business lines and product sales.

Mrs Robson, explained how the bank managed to achieve this performance through a drive to improve customer service, cost efficiencies and automation by re-engineering the Bank’s operations, drawing upon HSBC’s global expertise and “Joining-up the Bank”.

“The bank is in excellent shape, on track in terms of performance and continuing to develop new products, services and revenue streams as well as to increase cross-sales in order to sustain our continued growth,” said Mr Wallis.

“As in previous years, this meeting provided a really good opportunity for me to meet HSBC’s local shareholders and to talk with them about our Bank. As the World’s local Bank, their views are really important and relevant to us at HSBC and many good suggestions made to us have been put into action,” Mr Mizzi noted.