Bank of Valletta and Malta Police Forge Partnership Amid Rising Financial Crime Concerns

Bank of Valletta and The Malta Police Force have formalized a three-year partnership aimed at strengthening defenses against financial crime through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on January 7. The agreement comes amid growing concerns about the evolving nature of financial offenses, particularly those operating in digital spaces, and represents an attempt to create a more unified front between Malta's leading financial institution and its law enforcement apparatus.

Background and Context

Financial crime in Malta has increasingly moved into digital domains, creating new challenges for both financial institutions and law enforcement agencies. The Memorandum of Understanding builds upon what officials describe as years of informal collaboration between Bank of Valletta and police authorities. The formalization of this relationship reflects recognition that criminal tactics are rapidly evolving, requiring more sophisticated and coordinated responses than traditional policing methods alone can provide.

Key Figures and Entities

The agreement was signed by Kenneth Farrugia, CEO of Bank of Valletta, and Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà at the Financial Crime Investigations Department. Key participants included Ryan Caruana, Chief AFC Officer at Bank of Valletta, and Assistant Commissioner Fabian Fleri, who leads the Malta Police Financial Crime Investigations Department. According to statements released during the signing, the partnership aims to address a wide spectrum of financial offenses including terrorism financing, bribery, corruption, scams, and fraud.

Legal and Financial Mechanisms

The three-year agreement establishes several operational mechanisms for cooperation between the bank and police forces. These include facilitating timely exchange of intelligence, strengthening investigative capabilities through shared expertise and training, and developing joint public education initiatives to reduce victimization. The partnership also seeks to improve customer protection mechanisms through collaborative innovation, reflecting an understanding that prevention requires both technological solutions and public awareness.

International Implications and Policy Response

This formalized partnership between a major financial institution and national police force mirrors similar arrangements emerging across Europe as countries grapple with increasingly sophisticated financial crimes operating across borders. The emphasis on digital crime prevention and intelligence sharing aligns with broader international trends toward public-private partnerships in financial crime prevention. However, the effectiveness of such arrangements remains subject to ongoing evaluation, with critics questioning whether sufficient resources and legal frameworks exist to support truly collaborative operations.

Sources

This report is based on the official announcement of the Memorandum of Understanding between Bank of Valletta and The Malta Police Force, including statements made by CEO Kenneth Farrugia and Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà during the signing ceremony on January 7, 2026.