I presently manage, lead and mentor a high performing and experienced team which operate in a highly dynamic sector while implementing a sector strategy that delivers impact and improvements using the Authority's available resources in the most efficient manner.
The role also entails having strong working relationships with other functions within the Authority especially when preparing for an onsite inspection or thematic review as planned out in the yearly work plan.
It is also imperative that regularly I guide the team to exercise supervisory judgement in handling cases, challenging regulated entities on consumer protection issues while ensuring that they are dealt with immediately and in a timely manner.
I regularly set supervisory meetings with the different licence holders to discuss certain developments and also organise meetings with the MBA to discuss issues which need to be addressed to the whole industry.
As a Senior Branch manager I was responsible for the running of the business generation within San Gwann's catchment area which holds a large percentage of the Bank's overall portfolio.
I was also entrusted by the Bank's Head of Department to assist him with various projects related to the operations and workflow within the various departments. I also used to attend various committees and focus groups related to both credit approvals and product development.
AML plays an important role in the financial services sector; due to this I was constantly involved in approving client onboarding and ongoing monitoring of accounts. Hence I regularly used to challenge a client's source of wealth and source of funds to conduct the necessary risk assessments. STRs were raised in case of suspicious money laundering activity or unexplainable level of wealth accumulation. I was responsible for the Customer Risk Assessments (CRAs) for 3 out of the 12 branches BNF has.
I was also the operational risk manager at BNF Bank; this entailed:
In July 2013, the Bank provided me with the opportunity of opening a new Branch located in Siggiewi. Although the community in this locality tend to be reluctant to change, I managed to integrate my team within the community and implement the right strategy to introduce the Bank's products and services. The level of customer service provided to clients while addressing their needs in a professional way was crucial for the success of the Branch. In fact after one year of operations Siggiewi Branch was awarded the Branch of the year in 2014.
The Bank started operating in Malta during 2008, while I joined the Bank (at the time named BANIF Bank) in May 2009. These were the very early days of the Bank, which tried to penetrate and integrate within the local market. During this period I was entrusted to build a team of Relationship Managers targeting professionals and high worth individuals. We offered tailor made packages to address their specific needs while providing a personalized service which was lacking in the market at the time.
My main role as a financial planning officer was to identify clients' needs in relation to investment, savings for the medium or long term together with insurance protection. After gaining an understanding of the clients' financial plans and objections, risk appetite, and attitude to risk; I used to propose products in line with the identified needs.
I joined HSBC in 2002 while I was still reading my Honours Degree at the University of Malta. I worked at Zebbug Branch while I was exposed to a variety of roles within the branch; namely that of a cashier, and eventually started working on personal loan proposals
Organisational/Management Skills
Problem Solving
Business Development
Team Management
AML Analytical Skilla