This association was set up to safeguard the interests of small shareholders. The need arose following the reduced dividend given out at Bank of Valletta’s annual general meeting. The aims of the association are to protect the interests of this often overlooked investing community. We felt the need to form a lobby group after their complaints forwarded at general meetings year after year were ignored and at times even belittled. The shareholders feel that their complaints are only addressed during the general meeting or by a newsletter sent to shareholders and which contains information that the bank would have released to the press. This is not enough and shareholders feel that their complaints need to be addressed all year round and be informed about the financial situation.

In developed markets the small shareholders are represented through an association. So why should this not happen in Malta as well? Membership of this association is open to those who hold shares in local Malta Stock Exchange listed companies. The association will not give investment advice but will hold meetings to discuss the general situation with emphasis on particular listed companies.

However, it is increasingly being felt that directors and top managers receive hefty rewards while the small shareholder is often given peanuts while seeing his or her investments downgraded and eroded in value. 

Enquiries should be addressed to [email protected]

Frans Buhagiar

SAFI