The Institute of Financial Services – Malta recently hosted the European Banking and Financial Services Training Association (EBTN). Over 30 delegates from some 20 European countries and a representative from North Africa visited Malta to attend the EBTN Strategy and Board meetings.

EBTN holds board meetings quarterly in different host countries; however this is the first time a Strategy meeting was held. Preparatory work on the EBTN 3-Year Strategy commenced in Edinburgh, Scotland a few months ago where a core group met and formulated a strategy framework and plan of action.

At the Malta plenary meeting, the key objectives and priorities of the association, including the Vision and Mission statements, were decided upon. The EBTN Strategy document is now being finalised and will be ratified at the next board meeting, which is scheduled to take place in Barcelona, Spain in March. IFS-Malta committee member Peter Calleya FCIB is coordinating the development of the EBTN Strategy.

IFS-Malta president Joseph Abdilla FCIB said “it was an honour for Malta to be chosen as the location to hold these meetings and related activities. This reflects positively on our Institute and the work we are doing both locally and at a European level through our membership of EBTN.”

President of EBTN, Prof. Mario Spatafora, said, “On behalf of the members of EBTN, I commend IFS-Malta on the excellent organisation of the various meetings and events and thank everyone for showing us the hospitality the Maltese are renowned for. Our meetings in Malta were very successful and we have taken an important step forward in deciding the future of EBTN.”

IFS committee member Kenneth Micallef ACIB coordinated the logistics of the EBTN visit and activities, with the assistance of IFS-Malta Business Development Manager Robert Sultana, and Administrative Secretary Josette Cremona.