Marked each year around the world, Global Ethics Day invites organisations, communities and individuals to pause and reflect on the principles behind their choices. This year's theme, "Re-centering Ethics", set by the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, asks us to keep ethics at the heart of decision-making in a world that is becoming more complex and technology-driven.

It is a message that resonates strongly with Bank of Valletta.

As banking continues to change through digital transformation, BOV is marking Global Ethics Day 2026 by reaffirming a simple but important commitment: trust, integrity, accountability and fairness must remain central to how the Bank works, innovates and serves its customers.

Technology has changed almost every part of modern banking. Customers can open accounts online, make instant payments, access services remotely and get support through digital channels. Behind the scenes, banks are also using data analytics, automation and artificial intelligence to work more efficiently, identify risks and improve the customer experience.

This brings real opportunities for financial institutions and the people they serve. But it also raises important questions: how is technology being used, how are decisions being made, and who remains accountable when the landscape is changing so quickly?

Data privacy, cybersecurity, digital inclusion and the responsible use of artificial intelligence are now part of the wider public conversation about technology. As digital capabilities grow, organisations are expected not only to innovate, but to do so responsibly and transparently.

For BOV, that means building ethical thinking into every stage of its transformation journey. It means having the right governance in place, using technology responsibly and creating a culture where people are encouraged to apply sound judgement, act transparently and take accountability for their decisions.

Anatoli Grech (above), Group Chief Compliance Officer, says technological progress and ethical responsibility must go hand in hand.

"New technologies are transforming the way financial institutions operate and engage with customers. But innovation must be accompanied by sound ethical judgement and responsible decision-making. Re-centering ethics reminds us that technology should ultimately serve people and society, while preserving the trust, integrity and accountability on which banking depends."

His words point to something that matters well beyond banking: trust is one of the most valuable things any organisation can build. Technology may change how services are delivered, but people's confidence in institutions will always depend on transparency, fairness and responsible behaviour.

That is especially true in banking, where customers entrust financial institutions with their savings, personal information and financial wellbeing. As innovation gathers pace, ethics cannot be treated as an afterthought. It needs to be part of every important decision from the start.

By embedding ethics into its processes and strategic choices, BOV aims to strike the right balance between technological progress and the expectations of customers, employees, regulators and society.

The Bank also recognises that ethics comes down to people. Policies, systems and frameworks matter, but an ethical culture is built through the everyday decisions people make and the way they choose to behave.

That is why BOV continues to invest in employee training, engagement initiatives and ethics programmes that connect responsible decision-making with everyday working life. Through awareness activities and open dialogue, the Bank is helping employees recognise ethical challenges and make informed choices in an evolving business environment.

Kenneth Farrugia (above), Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Valletta, sees this commitment as essential to sustainable success.

"As financial services continue to evolve through technological innovation, ethics must remain our compass. Success is not measured solely by how quickly we innovate, but by how responsibly we do so. By placing ethics at the centre of our transformation efforts, we can build lasting trust and create sustainable value for our customers and society."

His comments capture the central message of this year's Global Ethics Day. At a time of rapid technological change, ethical principles give organisations a clear anchor. They help keep innovation focused on people, wider society and long-term sustainability.

Global Ethics Day is more than a date in the calendar. It is a reminder that ethics lives in the choices we make every day, and in how we use technology, how we treat people and how we earn their trust. Technology will continue to change the way we live and work, but the values guiding that change matter just as much as the progress itself.

For Bank of Valletta, the message is simple: innovation may shape the future of banking, but it is the people, guided by trust, integrity and responsible judgement, who will determine the kind of future we build together.