Marie Louise Vella and Andre P. Catania are the latest Maltese financial services professionals to achieve the coveted Chartered Banker MBA qualification - the highest professional award available to bankers worldwide.

During a visit to the Institute of Financial Services - Malta (IFS Malta), President Kenneth B. Micallef and Vice President Mark Agius congratulated Ms Vella, who graduated recently and Mr Catania, who graduated last year, on their success in achieving a world-class qualification that combines everything demanded in the new, post-crisis banking environment.

Mr Micallef said: "Successfully completing the diverse Chartered Banker MBA experience is a commitment to upholding the highest ethical, professional and technical standards that will benefit the financial services sector. That is why IFS Malta supported this qualification from the outset and works hard to facilitate its attainment by Maltese professionals."

The Chartered Banker MBA is a unique qualification that allows individuals to gain a top MBA in Banking as well as Chartered Banker status. This dual qualification is awarded by the leading international teaching and research-focused Bangor Business School University (UK), in partnership with the Chartered Banker Institute, Scotland, the world's oldest professional institute of bankers.

IFS Malta is committed to providing and facilitating ongoing financial education and the certified training of the highest level that reflect the ever-changing realities within financial services, for the benefit of practitioners, the financial services sector and Malta in general.

For more information visit www.ifsmalta.org