Wednesday, 9th October 2024
The Xara Lodge, Rabat
This event has already passed and registrations are closed.
Overview
The Malta Financial Services Authority is hosting an upcoming conference on financial stability, titled "Key Themes in Financial Stability Conference", being held on 9 October 2024, at The Xara Lodge in Rabat, Malta. This conference will bring together industry professionals, policymakers, and academics to discuss selected issues relating to financial stability.
The event will provide insights into the future trajectory of EU economies and the implications to the financial sector. The conference will explore two key themes, that is, the impact of the real estate market on financial stability and the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change. Real estate, a significant driver of economic growth, will be evaluated from a financial stability perspective, while climate change will be assessed in terms of sustainable investments and environmental risk management.
Attendees will benefit from valuable insights provided by a distinguished line-up of speakers from both domestic and international institutions. The conference is free of charge, but registration is required, and participation is in person only.
Who Should Attend
- Industry Professionals, Policymakers, Academics and Students in the Economics and Financial Services Field.
Agenda
| 08:30H | Registration | |
| 09:00H | Introductory Speech
Mirko Mallia - Deputy Head, Financial Stability, MFSA |
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| 09:10H | Keynote Speech - Euro area Macroeconomic conditions and Outlook
Melanie Debono - Senior Europe Economist, Pantheon Macroeconomics, London |
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| Session 1 - Real Estate Dynamics: Implications for Financial Stability | ||
| 09:30H | Real Estate Trends in Malta and Financial Stability Related Policies
Giacomo Anesi - Assistant Technical Expert, Financial Stability, MFSA |
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| 09:50H | Housing Affordability in Malta
Brian Micallef - Executive Head of Policy, Housing Authority |
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| 10:10H | Analysing Drivers of Residential Real Estate
Giorgia De Nora - Financial Stability Expert, European Central Bank |
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| 10:30H | Coffee Break | |
| Session 2 – Climate Risk and Financial Sector Resilience | ||
| 10:50H | Implications of Climate Risk on the Financial Sector
Francesco Meglioli - Senior Technical Expert, Financial Stability, MFSA |
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| 11:10H | Malta’s Future Climate Trends for Financial Risk Projection
Gabriella Borda - Visiting Lecturer, University of Malta |
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| 11:30H | Supporting the Transition to a Sustainable Economy through the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS)
Yann Marin - Secretariat, Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) |
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| 11:50H | Session 3 - Panel Discussion: Financial Sector Resilience: Real Estate and Climate Related Risks
George Vella - Chairman, FinanceMalta (Moderator) |
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| 12:20H | Concluding Remarks
Jesmond Gatt - Chairman, MFSA |
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| 12:30H | Light Refreshments & Networking | |
Registrations
The Authority encourages interested participants to register by filling in the form below by not later than Monday 7 October 2024.
Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Participants who attend will be eligible for CPD hours.
Photos will be taken during the event with the intent to publish such photos on social media channels and websites. By registering, one would be granting consent to such data being used.
Speakers
Chairman, MFSA
Jesmond Gatt
Jesmond Gatt was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Malta Financial Services Authority in 2023. Mr Gatt joined the Central Bank of Malta in 1984, graduating in Mathematics and Computing at the University of Malta in 1995. During his career at the Bank, which spans over 37 years, he has worked on all major IT projects holding the position of Chief Officer responsible for retail banking services, management of currency and the regulation of payment systems and infrastructures. He formed part of the core financial sector team which oversaw the changeover to the Euro in Malta in 2008. Since Malta became part of the European Union he has been a member of a number of Euro system and European Commission committees working on payments systems and the management of euro notes and coins. He has also participated in a number of European Commission initiatives drawing up payment systems regulations. Since 2016 he has been sitting on the Board of the FIAU, acting as Chairman to the Board from 2020. In December of 2022 he has taken up the role of Chief Executive Officer at the Malta Government Investments.
Chair, Malta Bankers Association
Kenneth Farrugia
Kenneth Farrugia, CEO of Bank of Valletta and Chair of the Malta Bankers’ Association, has held various executive roles since 1985, including positions at BOV Fund Services and FinanceMalta. An alumnus of Harvard Business School, he represents the Malta Bankers’ Association on the European Banking Federation Board for 2024-2026.
Deputy Head, Financial Stability, MFSA
Mirko Mallia
Mirko has more that 20 years of experience in national regulatory institutions, including the Central Bank of Malta and MFSA. He is an economist specializing in financial stability research and data analysis. He actively participates in ESFS working groups and represents the Malta Financial Services Authority in meetings with international stakeholders like the IMF and credit rating agencies.
Executive Head of Policy, Housing Authority
Brian Micallef
Brian Micallef is an economist and data analyst with extensive experience in housing policy and market analysis. As Executive Head of Policy at the Malta Housing Authority, he leads the digitalisation strategy and oversees legal, policy, public relations, and communication sections. He has played a key role in developing the Central Bank of Malta's econometric models and research plan.
Associate Professor in Environmental Management and Planning Division, University of Malta
Charles Galdies
Charles, Associate Professor at the University of Malta's Institute of Earth Systems, served as Chief Meteorological Officer and Malta’s permanent representative to the World Meteorological Organisation. He specialises in climate monitoring and remote sensing. He has authored three books and over 100 peer-reviewed articles. He also consults for international and local organisations and received the 2024 Chinese Academy of Sciences President’s International Fellowship Initiative.
Visiting Lecturer, University of Malta
Gabriella Borda
Gabriella Borda holds an M.Sc. in Business Management, Green Energy and Climate Finance with the Berlin School of Economics & Law. She also holds a B.Com. Hons degree in Banking & Finance from the University of Malta and a certificate of proficiency in Organizational GHG Accounting with the GHG Management Institute. Gabriella completed a specialisation course in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) with the Corporate Finance Institute and she is an esteemed Member of the Renewable Energy Institute, having successfully completed a specialization program that encompasses a wide array of topics, including Green Hydrogen Energy and Energy-Efficient Buildings. Gabriella presently holds the position of visiting lecturer at the University of Malta. She is a partner at Avvena, where she assumes the role of lead sustainability partner and sustainable finance advisor, leveraging her skills and proactive vision to drive projects focused on climate and sustainable finance. Gabriella actively promotes sustainability practices across sectors both locally and internationally by supporting businesses and organisations through their sustainability journey, providing in-depth insights and adding value to her partners. She also maintains a large stakeholder network within the climate community where she is currently involved in various projects.
Senior Europe Economist, Pantheon Macroeconomics, London
Melanie Debono
Melanie, an economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics specialising in the Eurozone - particularly Italy and Spain, joined the firm in 2021. She has nearly a decade of experience in independent economic research, including roles at Capital Economics and the European Commission. She has been recognised for her accurate economic forecasts and holds advanced degrees from LSE and Bocconi University.
Senior Technical Expert, Financial Stability, MFSA
Francesco Meglioli
Francesco, Senior Technical Expert in the Financial Stability function within the Malta Financial Services Authority, leads the macroprudential work carried out on the insurance sector, fund industry and capital markets. He analyses contagion risk, monitors climate risk, and represents Malta in various European committees, including ESMA and EIOPA.
Assistant Technical Expert, Financial Stability, MFSA
Giacomo Anesi
Giacomo Anesi joined the MFSA in 2021 and currently holds the position of Assistant Technical Expert within the Financial Stability Function. In this role, he focuses on identifying and evaluating emerging risks within the Maltese financial sector, with a particular emphasis on the Real Estate market. Prior to his tenure at the MFSA, Giacomo gained valuable experience at the European Central Bank (ECB), where he contributed to the systemic risk surveillance of the euro area.
Chairman, FinanceMalta
George Vella
George, Chairman of Finance Malta, has over 15 years of experience in corporate finance, strategic management, and advisory services. He has held key roles at PwC, Corinthia Group, APS Bank, and Grant Thornton, specialising in finance, business planning, and risk management. He also holds various technical roles in high profile advisory assignments, including EU funding projects and applications.
Secretariat, Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS)
Yann Marin
Yann Marin is a seasoned financial expert currently serving as the Secretary of the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). He also leads the Markets and Financial Stability Research Division at Banque de France. His extensive experience spans monetary policy, financial stability, and international finance, enhancing global economic resilience.
President, Insurance Association Malta
Julian Mamo
Julian Mamo, President of the Insurance Association of Malta, holds a degree in Business Management and brings over 25 years of experience in the insurance sector. He has served as Managing Director of GasanMamo Insurance since 2013. Previously, he was a council member of both the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry, as well as the MMA.
Financial Stability Expert, European Central Bank
Giorgia De Nora
Giorgia De Nora is an economist at the European Central Bank, specializing in financial stability and real estate markets. Her research focuses on the impacts of financing conditions on housing affordability and market dynamics. She has contributed to various publications, enhancing understanding of macroeconomic and financial vulnerabilities.
Head of Financial Stability, MFSA
Joseph J. Agius
Joseph J. Agius was appointed Head of Financial Stability in September 2019. He had joined the MFSA in April 2014 as Deputy Director Securities and Markets, in which role he was responsible for investment firm and fund supervision and was a lead investigator in a number of high-profile cases resulting in enforcement action. Joseph started his career in financial services with Mid-Med Bank Ltd in 1978, holding various roles in the retail network. In 1992 he took on the role of Credit Analyst at Mid-Med Bank’s Head Office Credit Department, carrying out credit analysis preparation as well as making post credit decisions. A few years later, he formed part of a small team tasked with the setting up of Mid-Med Finance Ltd, the group’s merchant banking arm, eventually being appointed Head of this subsidiary which was subsequently taken over by HSBC Malta’s fund management subsidiary. Throughout his career, Joseph has held senior positions in investment management, fund administration and custody and was an active member of the committee at the Institute of Financial Services Malta and the Malta Funds Industry Association for a number of years.
