Association of small shareholders

The Malta Association of Small Shareholders was set up to safeguard the interests of the small shareholders. The need arose following the reduced dividend given out at the Bank of Valletta annual general meeting.

The aims of the association are to safeguard the interests of this oftentimes overlooked investing community. We felt the need to form a lobby group after complaints forwarded during the general meetings were, year after year, ignored and, at times, even belittled. The shareholders feel that their complaints are only addressed during the general meeting or by issuing a newsletter, which is sent to shareholders and that contains information that the bank would have released in the press. This is not adequate and shareholders feel their complaints need to be addressed all year round and that they 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.

Small investors often get peanuts

The association will not give out investment advice but will hold meetings to discuss the general situation even with emphasis on particular listed companies. It is increasingly being felt that directors and top managers get hefty rewards while the small shareholder is often given peanuts while seeing his/her investments downgraded and eroded in value.

Enquiries should be addressed to ssa.malta@yahoo.com.