At a press conference held at the Radisson Blu Resort in St Julian’s on Wednesday, chairman of APS Funds SICAV plc Dr Mario Felice launched the first retail ethical investment fund in Malta.

The new ethical fund – the APS Regular Income Ethical Fund − will be managed by APS Bank Ltd. Sandro Baluci, Head Asset Management at APS Bank, said that the launch of this ethical fund is an important milestone, both for APS Funds SICAV plc and APS Bank Ltd. The fund essentially aims at securing a good return for investors, adopting a medium-risk profile. Yet it goes beyond this, because the fund manager also undertakes to follow an ethical policy when choosing where to direct the fund’s investments. It will only support companies that bring positive changes to society and to the environment, and will discard investments that infringe the fund’s declared ethical policy. Accordingly, the fund will combine investors’ financial goals with concerns for social, environmental and ethical values. Investors can apply as from 8 June. During the launch period no upfront charges will be incurred.

APS Funds SICAV plc was set up in 2008 to provide additional investment opportunities, in line with the consistent philosophy of APS Group to encourage savings. The APS Income Fund was the first fund launched with a low-to-medium risk profile and is also managed by APS Bank Ltd. It is noteworthy that the latest Malta Stock Exchange annual report identified the APS Income Fund as the only fund in Malta that registered an increase in its net asset value in 2011.

More information about the APS Regular Income Ethical Fund can be obtained from branches of APS Bank (telephone 2122 6644), via email on [email protected], and from the bank’s website on www.apsbank.com.mt. Prospective investors are advised to consult the SICAV’s Prospectus and the Fund’s Supplement, which are available at all APS Bank branches and on its website. APS Bank Ltd, APS Funds SICAV plc and the APS Regular Income Ethical Fund are licensed by the MFSA.