Banif Bank has won  'The Best Banking Group in Malta for 2011' award for the second successive year.

The award is given by the publication World Finance.

Banif received this award in recognition for its outstanding performance during a year characterised by market uncertainty. The editorial board of World Finance also took into account innovation and the Bank's achievements in the commercial sphere over the last financial year. The award was presented to Banif Bank by the bank's CEO,  Joaquim Silva Pinto during a ceremony held at the London Stock Exchange.

In his address to the media during an event organised to by the bank to celebrate this achievement, Silva Pinto said, "As a recent entrant to the local market, we should all be proud of this significant accomplishment. This award sends an important message to the market as it reflects the magnitude of what has been achieved by the Bank in its first three  years of operation. Such recognition urges us to move forward with more determination to achieve even more success in the future."

He said that Banif Bank strongly believed in offering a differentiated banking experience based on high quality of service and innovative financial service products. Banif's strengths were held in the understanding of the market which enables it to better comprehend and identify the dynamic needs of the community and its clients. 

During 2010 the bank's lending portfolio increased by 162 percent over the previous year, whereas the deposit base grew by a further 197 percent.