The Malta Bankers’ Association recently hosted a meeting in Malta with a visiting delegation from the British Bankers’ Association, led by its chief executive, Anthony Browne. The delegation also included representatives of HSBC Holdings plc, Citibank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and J.P. Morgan.

In the course of the meeting, the priorities of the forthcoming Maltese EU presidency were reviewed, with particular reference to financial services.

In this context, the discussions covered a range of current regulatory issues including capital requirements, the application of proportionality, concentration rules and correspondent banking. Views on the implications of Brexit and its possible outcomes were also exchanged.

MBA chairman Mario Mallia highlighted the challenges of the banking sector given the sector’s increased regulatory and compliance requirements.

Mr Mallia also spoke about the forthcoming European Banking Federation’s Executive Committee and Board meetings which will be held in Malta between May 4 and 5, 2017.