HSBC Malta has introduced voice technology in its ATMs outside its operations centre at Qormi and in its branches at Sliema, Valletta, Paola, Mosta and Victoria to enable visually impaired people to use its banking facilities.
Once a customer connects any standard 3.5mm earphone to the ATM, pre-recorded voice instructions in Maltese or English guide customer through the transaction.
During the operation, the ATM screen is blanked out to ensure customer security and privacy. HSBC’s talking ATM features include cash withdrawals, deposits and balance enquiries.
HSBC is also offering an enlarged font option, to help customers with low vision operate the machine more easily.
HSBC worked with the National Commission for Persons with Disability and the Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility throughout the development of the project.
This functionality will be offered from all the bank’s ATMs by the end of next year.
HSBC also offers a specially designed internet banking secure key free of charge to customers with sight problems.
New SME financing from BOV
Bank of Valletta has taken up funds from the European Central Bank and used them to launch a new financing product aimed at SMEs: the BOV 4 SMEs Financing.
The ECB recently made ‘cheap’ money available to banks through Targeted Longer-Term Refinancing Operations (TLTRO).
BOV will use the funds to support SMEs’ capital investment projects by offering lending up to €700,000 at advantageous rates of interest.
“It is widely acknowledged that SMEs are pivotal in ensuring economic growth and job creation. This is typically triggered by SMEs embarking on feasible and sustainable capital investment projects that generate economic value added and adequate returns,” Albert Frendo, chief officer credit at Bank of Valletta, said.
BOV 4 SMEs incorporates a fixed rate of four per cent for the first four years and a competitive interest rate thereafter. This product can be used to finance investment in both tangible and intangible assets and related initial working capital requirements.
The bank will encourage investment in innovation, technological developments, renewables and other regeneration initiatives earmarked to ensure competiveness and sustainable growth.
The loan term depends on the type of asset being financed and can go up to 10 years.
Oil and gas industry academy
Ablecare Oilfield Services Group has set up the Ableman Drilling Careers Academy. The academy has teamed up with Lone Star College of Houston, Texas, to offer a two-month full-time floorhand workforce certificate, the first such comprehensive programme in the Mediterranean.
The programme has been fully recognised by the International Association of Drilling Contractors.
“We are committed to providing drilling contractors with retainable, promotable and safety-conscious rig crews. Through this programme and others planned in the future we will be providing opportunities for personal development to existing rig-based personnel and setting a local industry standard with respect to the entry requirements on a rig, which is approved worldwide,” Ablecare OSG chairman Paul Abela said.
Two lecturers from Lone Star College will be travelling to Malta to deliver the first 288-hour programme, which starts in February.
www.ablecareosg.com
FCM Bank launches newonline banking platform
FCM Bank has launched its new online banking platform, allowing customers to review and manage their accounts at the click of a button.
The platform has been customised for FCM and will be available to all customers of the bank.
“We believe this to be the next step in our evolutional growth,” Vincent Ma, chief operating officer of FCM Bank, said.
FCM Bank’s new service will enable customers to view and monitor their savings accounts online, and will give them the ability to transfer funds to their linked bank account.
The website will also provide a direct communication channel so that customers may send secure and convenient messages straight to the bank.
“We have thoroughly planned and tested the system over several months to ensure that it is safe, efficient, user-friendly and as straight-forward as possible,” he added.
www.fcmbank.com.mt