As an organisation whose roots are embedded deep within the Maltese community, Bank of Valletta takes pride in creating and maintaining strong business relationships with its customers. In achieving this goal BoV recognises the importance of embracing the concept of being socially responsible, thus not only fulfilling its legal obligations, but also going beyond compliance and investing more in human capital, the environment and relations with stakeholders.
It is widely recognised that employees are in fact one of the most important assets a business can have, since human capital, especially in the services industry, can have a determining effect on an organisation's competitive edge.
In this respect the bank is committed to nurturing its employees to develop and realise their full potential by providing meaningful work, enabling career advancement and by directing particular attention to the quality of life in the workplace and on the job.
To this end, besides offering above-average salaries and a host of related benefits, the bank's human resources policies also include a number of programmes that enable and empower employees to achieve their individual career goals.
Such programmes include the bank's Performance Management System that revolves around the concept of cascading organisational goals and converting them into achievable individual targets. The accomplishment of these targets realises mutual benefits for both customers and employees alike. Moreover, financial rewards based on team achievements are the motivating force that encourages employees to aim higher and achieve more.
As part of its ongoing strategy to provide customised financial solutions based on informed decisions, the bank places great weight on the sharing of information and on continuous learning programmes for its employees.
Such employee development through training consists of both in-house and on-the-job training, as well as specifically-designed external courses, such as Neuro Linguistic Programming, Team Building and a number of other innovative approaches that aim to address the diverse learning styles.
The bank also harnesses employee knowledge through its Employee Development Scheme, whereby employees can opt to read for a diploma, degree, or post-graduate qualification of their own choice. Study grants and paid study leave are part of the bank's contribution towards enabling individual employee advancement, both on a personal as well as a professional level.
In an ever-changing business environment, and in keeping with the bank's commitment towards gender equality, BoV has recognised the benefits of employing a diverse workforce.
Thus, transcending both age and gender, the bank harnesses and directs new entrants' keen desire to learn, invests in the experience of middle management, and accommodates the requirements of working parents by maintaining schemes, such as reduced working-hours, and maternity/parental leave.
Furthermore, in an effort to better enable a balance between work, leisure and family life BoV also operates a thriving Sports and Social club.
Staff members across every grade are openly encouraged to participate in activities like the bank's talent show, treasure hunts, sporting events and a variety of other activities that cater for the social requirements of employees and foster a healthy organisational environment through social interaction.
The role of dedicated employer, which is now synonymous with BoV, is based on a sound relationship of mutual trust and respect between management and workforce.
The bank has long since recognised the invaluable asset represented by its workforce and is thus committed to maintaining and improving this relationship through constant, open communication, with a view to ensuring the achievement of mutually beneficial goals.
The very recent recruitment of 89 graduates by BoV was specifically intended to continue to inject new skills that add value to the bank's customer value proposition.
The intensive induction of these new recruits to BoV's values and culture in their first weeks of employment will not only help introduce them to BoV's business promise/s to its customers, but also reassures them that when doing business BoV does truly bank on its people.
Noel Scerri is executive head, responsible for human resources at BoV. He is also president of the Foundation for Human Resources Development (FHRD).