The winners of the BOV Investment Education Project 2015-2016 were recognised and received awards at the third Annual Banking and Finance Conference organised recently at the Old University Campus in Valletta.
Ten teams, made up of five to six members, competed in the project. The members of the winning team were Diana Bartolo, Diane Brincat, Jeanette Pisani, Joshua Aquilina, Katya Pullicino and Marija Cini.
The BOV Investment Education Project, organised in conjunction with the Department of Banking and Finance at the University of Malta, incorporates a simulation of real-life investment management, where students from the Faculty of Banking and Finance are provided with a virtual sum of one million euros that they can invest in any listed equity worldwide. It is an ideal medium through which students obtain exposure to the realities of the investment world and gain real-life experience in this sector without risking their own capital.
This virtual investment is monitored through Bank of Valletta’s Virtual Portfolio Platform, a feature found on the bank’s internet banking service. This platform allows users to dynamically track their investments and calculate profits and losses on their capital according to market fluctuations.
Romeo Cutajar, chief officer investment services at Bank of Valletta, presented the certificates to the top qualifying team members. He was accompanied by Prof. Joseph Falzon from the University’s Department of Banking and Finance. A cash prize was also presented to all members of the top three teams.
Mr Cutajar congratulated all the students for their achievements and said that although in today’s market a lot of trading and portfolio management is being technologically driven, the human element remains essential, especially in the area of wealth management and private banking, which normally require tailored solutions and bespoke individual advice.
He added that for Bank of Valletta, education is an important pillar of its corporate responsibility: “At Bank of Valletta, we are proud to support this project, which dovetails seamlessly with our commitment to take an active role in the community,” he said.
Speaking about the project, Prof. Falzon said: “The game provides participants with a simulated trading platform based on real instruments traded on the main international equity markets. Every team needs to devise an investment strategy and ultimately liquidate their portfolio. Teams are judged on their ability to abide by this strategy, the rationale for selecting the stocks, and on profits or losses made.”
In addition, four students who were awarded a first class degree in Banking and Finance (Honours), and another eight who received top marks for their dissertation, also received a cash award each.