Kenneth Farrugia Bank of Valletta p.l.c. CEO, has been elected Chair of the Malta Bankers’ Association (MBA) for the coming term of office i.e. 2024 - 2026. His appointment was announced following an election pursuant to the Association’s Annual General Meeting held on the 19th June 2024. Henry Schmeltzer MeDirect Bank (Malta) p.l.c. was re-elected Deputy Chair for the same period.

Outgoing Chair Marcel Cassar, CEO of APS Bank p.l.c. said that the Association agreed that Mr Farrugia’s extensive industry experience and long-standing presence on the MBA Board made him an ideal candidate to continue to steer the Association through these increasingly challenging and rapidly changing times.


On his part Mr Farrugia thanked Marcel Cassar for his support and stewardship of the MBA over the past years which he said have served to greatly increase the Association’s presence and outreach with its stakeholders. Moreover, Mr Farrugia whilst thanking the rest of the Association’s members for their support and confidence in him, confirmed that he is very glad to continue to work with Henry Schmeltzer, Director MeDirect Bank Malta p.l.c., in continuation of his role of the MBA’s Deputy Chair.


In his capacity as MBA Chair, Kenneth Farrugia will also represent the Association on the Board of the European Banking Federation (EBF), of which the MBA is a full member. The EBF unites 32 national banking associations in Europe that represent some 3,500 banks employing about 2.6 million people and extending over €23 trillion in lending to the European economy. It is actively engaged in advocacy and the support of policies that foster economic growth and jobs.