Ten Bank of Valletta employees have just returned from a two-day training programme at Insight Investment’s office in London. During their visit, the BOV employees received first hand information on the international markets and on a number of Valletta Fund Management (VFM) funds, which are managed by Insight Investment Management (Global) Limited. The group also visited a Halifax Bank of Scotland branch in central London, where they exchanged views and ideas with the branch manager and financial planning officer.

This training programme was made possible thanks to Bank of Valletta’s business partnership with Insight Investment, a subsidiary of HBOS Group. Insight Investment is the asset manager of HBOS plc and has a wealth of experience in fund management. Insight Investment is today one of the UK’s largest asset managers with over £108.7 billion in assets under management as at

31 March 2008.

This visit was an excellent opportunity for the bank employees to learn more on the fund management capabilities at Insight and the wide range of solutions on offer. Moreover, such initiatives enhance the personal development of the bank employees and enable them to apply such knowledge and skills when servicing their clients.

Valletta Fund Management Limited, Bank of Valletta’s Fund Management subsidiary, is a joint venture between Bank of Valletta, having a 60 per cent shareholding and Insight Investment, having a 40 per cent equity stake.

Valletta Fund Management’s association with Insight Investment results in an excellent strategic fit between the two organisations, bringing a strong wealth of talent and resources, while strengthening the investment management capabilities to the benefit of the long-term interests of Valletta Fund Management investors.