Deloitte Malta is organising a series of events, workshops and training sessions for risk professionals in the banking sector, starting on Monday, which they are branding as the Deloitte Banking Risk Lab.

As of January 1, the Single Supervisory Mechanism’s framework does not apply only to the systemic banks but to all lenders in EU and it is not only focused on capital and liquidity but, more importantly, to governance and overall business model and profitability.

The Banking Risk Lab is aimed at creating a technical platform for risk professionals in the sector to receive training, views from international peers and regulators and exchange insights with other professionals.

An ICAAP and ILAAP workshop is being held on May 23, followed by a recovery planning workshop on June 23.

To register for the May 23 event, visit www2.deloitte. com/mt/icaap2016.

80% of HSBC fund taken up

A €75 million trade fund launched by HSBC Bank Malta 10 months ago to help Maltese businesses expand internationally has crossed the 80 per cent utilisation mark.

The €75 million Malta Trade for Growth Fund was launched in June 2015 for businesses seeking capital to strengthen export.

The fund came on the heels of the €50 million fund launched in 2013, which was completely exhausted in under a year.

“Interestingly, the ratio of service exports of Malta as compared to its GDP is 73 per cent, the second highest in Europe after Luxemburg. We are committed to seeing this number rise even higher by making vital finance available,” HSBC Malta head of commercial banking Michel Cordina said.

The Malta Trade for Growth Fund offers customers a number of incentives such as the waiver of the fee related to the first documentary letter of credit, a reduction in effective interest rate and a 20 per cent discount on the opening and advising fees, among various other benefits.