BNF Bank’s philanthropic giving at a glance
Whether its sponsoring philanthropic initiatives, moving towards more sustainable work practices or creating meaningful business value for its clients, BNF Bank commits to building trust and fostering empathy, making BNF truly a community bank.
To actively support the local community, the staff-led initiative #YourCause plays an invaluable role in the Bank’s CSR programme. Support is given to vulnerable individuals, families, youths, and the elderly living with disabilities or suffering from health conditions, and those impacted by social injustice, to enjoy a better quality of life.
BNF employees are encouraged to support the Bank’s five major pillars education, health, environment, philanthropy, and culture and heritage. Ms. Lorrieann Vella, Head of Marketing and Communication at BNF Bank emphasised that “owing to the Bank’s community involvement we have continued to grow our outreach with the aim of supporting various cross sections of society, as well as shining a light on many NGOs who work so hard to raise funds and create awareness.”
In a concerted effort to truly help improve the quality of life of people and children diagnosed with cancer, contributions were made to ALIVE Charity Foundation, Puttinu Cares Foundation and Smiling with Jerome with the purchase of Chemo Bags of Hope to cancer patients at Mater Dei Hospital. Support was extended to Beating Hearts Malta to continue aiding patients diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and to Opening Doors Association to help ensure that the creative expression of people with intellectual disabilities is nurtured. Funds were also earmarked for The Malta Trust Foundation to purchase a custom-made assistive device for children with disabilities, including visual impairment, the non-verbal and on the autism spectrum.
The Bank’s generosity also extended to Dar Hosea and FIDEM Charity Foundation to help build an accessible and trusted group of support, particularly for vulnerable women and children. Support to vulnerable sectors of society was also strengthened via a contribution to the Physically Handicapped Rehabilitation Fund (PHRF) and the Malta Community Chest Fund during their annual nationwide event L-Istrina. Collectively, BNF also responded to calls for support from Soup Kitchen and YMCA to address the homelessness issue in Malta and to the Emergency Fire and Rescue Unit (EFRU) for their free of charge emergency aid. BNF’s generosity also reached the volunteers at Island Sanctuary to help cater for the needs of many stray and abandoned dogs in Malta, creating a more humane society for pets to live in.
In a concerted effort to help raise awareness of environmental problems and encourage action, support was extended to Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna and Din l-Art Helwa, two voluntary organisations that endeavour to contribute towards the restoration, and ongoing protection of our natural and cultural environment for now and future generations. The Bank also transformed the yearly Earth Hour initiative into a longstanding one via the introduction of BNF Lights Off, whereby ancillary branch lights are switched off from midnight until 6pm every day. In addition, through its support to local theatre and musical productions such as those from Teatru Astra, Teatru Aurora and Teatru Manoel, BNF seeks to uphold its pledge to incorporate support of the art and culture scene.
Enhancing educational resources across Malta and Gozo has been on the Bank’s CSR agenda since the beginning, and in 2022 it joined forces with the National Literacy Agency and Malta Libraries. Books in Maltese were donated across primary schools in Gozo together with publications in braille, dyslexic friendly and large print books distributed within four local libraries across Malta, promoting reading and literacy among the younger generation. In collaboration with The Optimist Club of Malta, BNF Bank further enabled the launch of a new ‘Ikber Magħna’ hub located in Paola, decked out with laptops, classroom furniture and embellishments, aimed at supporting children and young people in attaining an adequate level of education.
Using its team’s knowledge, networks, and financial solutions, BNF Bank is committed to continue finding ways of how it can positively give back to the communities it operates in.