Webinars

ĠEMMA Webinar | Digital Finance: Are we leaving the Elderly behind?

Sep 30, 2021 10:00 AM

Digital finance has been found in developing countries to provide access to millions of citizens through their mobile phones when before it was next to impossible to open a traditional bank account.

In Malta, the uptake of digital banking services has been significant especially among the younger population as banks moved aggressively towards digital banking to contain costs, improve efficiency and improve their bottom line. One of the largest banks in Malta closed all its traditional branches in towns except for 4 regional centres. The other retail banks are increasing adopting convenience charging for traditional banking measures to tilt consumer to digital banking. The Central Bank of Malta has recently announced that as from 1st January 2022 cheques for less than €20 will no longer be valid.

But what of the elder generation where cash continues to be the payment medium of choice for 75% of those aged over 55 years and only 5.2% of those in their seventies using digital banking tools.

Is the pursuit of digital finance strategies leaving a vulnerable portion of the population behind?

This will be the topic of ĠEMMA’s upcoming webinar on the 30th September 2021 at 10:00 which will be discussed by a panel of experts consisting of:

– Dr Mary Vella: Commissioner for the Elderly
– Mr Victor Carachi: President – GWU
– Ms Cynthia Formosa: Manager – Active Aging Community Care
– Mr Karol Gabaretta : Secretary General – Malta Bankers Association

Past Webinars

ĠEMMA third Webinar on scams and fraud.

July 29, 2021 10:00 AM

The fifth ĠEMMA Little Black Book of Scams and Frauds was launched during a webinar titled Scams and Frauds: How to Spot a Scam.

Produced in collaboration with HSBC Malta Foundation, this e-book tells the stories of a number of real cases of scams and frauds which happened in Malta, resulting in the loss of significant monies by both business and private citizens.

A quick poll of the attendees also revealed the prevalence with which scams are being encountered on a daily basis.  The panel discussed a number of new trends and recent developments pointing to the increasing sophistication of scammers and fraudsters who are using cutting-edge technology such as phone number spoofing to make the scam appear more authentic and target to the victim’s profile. Knowledge and vigilance continue to be the best weapon to identify and not fall victim to these scams.

The panel consisted of

• PS Anthony Cassar from the Malta Police Force Cyber Unit,
• Adrian Vassallo, MaltaPost’s Chief Operating Officer,
• David Spiteri Gingell, ĠEMMA’s Team Leader and Mark Drago,
• HSBC’s Head of Financial Crimes Compliance.

Creating a more financially capable workforce

Jun 24, 2021 10:00 AM

The link between financial wellness and mental health is well documented. A meta-study published in Clinical Psychology Review found a significant relationship between debt and mental disorder, depression, suicide, problem drinking and drug dependence. In the UK, the 2017 Stevenson-Farmer review of mental health and employers found that while 41% of employees who identified themselves as “financially comfortable” reported at least one sign of poor mental health, this rose to 51% for those who described themselves as “just about managing” and 67% for those facing financial difficulty with a cost to employers between £33 and £42 billion a year due to lower productivity and higher staff turnover. Salary Finance estimate that this costs between 13% an 17% of an employer’s total salary bill while a Vitality/Rand report estimated that 7.9 productive days were lost because of money worries.

Enrich, a financial wellness platform, reports an impressive ROI for those companies investing in increasing the financial capability of their employees.

This webinar will explore how employers can help create a more financially capable workforce which would result in benefits to both parties. The panel consists of:

• Marthese Portelli – CEO, The Malta Chamber
• Stephania Sant Dimech – CEO, Richmond Foundation
• Abigail Mamo – CEO, The Malta Chamber of SMEs
• Joseph Farrugia – Director General, Malta Employers Association

Understanding the Pension System for those born in and after 1962

May 27, 2021 10:00 AM

ĠEMMA Know, Plan, Act has just commissioned EMCS to conduct a survey to gauge the public’s level of understanding of the pension system for those born in and after 1962.

The webinar will feature a panel of experts to discuss the findings of the research and their implications. The panel consists of:

• Mr David Spiteri Gingell – ĠEMMA Team Leader and Consultant with the MSFC;
• Dr Stepahnie Fabri – Economist and Lecturer at the University of Malta
• Mr Edward Buttigieg – Contributory Benefits Director, Directorate Benefits Department
• Ms Fiona Captur – CEO, JAYE Malta Foundation

This seminar is of interest especially to those individuals born in or after 1962 who want to gain insight into the workings of the pension system as well as professionals operating in this sector.

Understanding the Pension System for those born in and after 1962

May 27, 2021 10:00 AM

ĠEMMA Know, Plan, Act has just commissioned EMCS to conduct a survey to gauge the public’s level of understanding of the pension system for those born in and after 1962.

The webinar will feature a panel of experts to discuss the findings of the research and their implications. The panel consists of:

• Mr David Spiteri Gingell – ĠEMMA Team Leader and Consultant with the MSFC;
• Dr Stepahnie Fabri – Economist and Lecturer at the University of Malta
• Mr Edward Buttigieg – Contributory Benefits Director, Directorate Benefits Department
• Ms Fiona Captur – CEO, JAYE Malta Foundation

This seminar is of interest especially to those individuals born in or after 1962 who want to gain insight into the workings of the pension system as well as professionals operating in this sector.

ĠEMMA Webinars | The ĠEMMA Pulse Survey on Household Money Management: One year on…

Apr 29, 2021 10:00 AM

For the past year, ĠEMMA commissioned EMCS to undertake a series of six pulse surveys on Household Financial Management, tracking how Maltese households have been managing their finances during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This webinar will present the results from the latest survey conducted in March 2021 which will be discussed by a panel consisting of:

Frans Camilleri – Economist and Advisor at MSFC
Abigail Mamo – CEO at The Chamber of SMEs Malta
Josef Bugeja – General Secretary of the GWU
Stephania Sant Dimech – CEO at Richmond Foundation
David Spiteri Gingell – ĠEMMA Team Leader

who will provide insights into the results from their unique perspectives.

ĠEMMA Webinars | Scams & Frauds Survey: The findings

Mar 25, 2021 10:00 AM

ĠEMMA Know, Plan, Act earlier this year conducted a local survey to establish computer and mobile online usage, security awareness, online purchasing trends, scam awareness and the extent to which the local populace have experienced scams and fraud among other aspects.

This follows last year’s popular webinar on Scams & Frauds during which the first two ĠEMMA e-books on the topic were launched and also coincides with the publication of additional resources on scams and frauds.

This webinar will present the results of this research which will be discussed by an expert panel coming from different stakeholders including :

• David Galea: Senior Solutions Architect – Information Security and Governance Department, MITA
• PS Joseph Louis Xerri: Malta Police Force
• Claude Calleja: Executive – eSkills Malta Foundation
• Mr Mark Drago: : Deputy Head of Financial Crime Compliance – HSBC

ĠEMMA Webinars |
The Pension System in Malta: Where should it be heading?

February 25, 2021 10:00 AM

The Pensions Strategy Group recently published the Strategic Review of the Adequacy, Sustainability and Solidarity of the Pensions System for public consultation. A copy of the Review may be downloaded from http://bit.ly/Pensions-Strategic-Review-2020. The objective is to generate a debate on how Malta’s pension system is to further evolve to ensure adequacy, sustainability and solidarity.

This webinar provides participants with a forum to be part of the debate to both discuss and put forward their suggestions for the future development of Malta’s pension system. Panel participants include:

– Mr Mark Musu: Permanent Secretary – Ministry for Social Justice, the Family and Children’s’ Rights
– Ms Abigail Mamo: CEO – The Malta Chamber of SMEs
– Ms Renee Laiviera: Commissioner – National Commission for the Promotion of Equality
– Mr Nikos Chircop: Press Officer – JEF (Young European Federalists) Malta

ĠEMMA Webinar | Onfoq bil-Għaqal: Survey Results on Christmas Expenditures.

December 10, 2020

ĠEMMA had commissioned two surveys to study the expenditure patterns of Maltese consumers during Christmas. The study looked into such areas as Setting a Christmas shopping budget, the most used methods of payment, hosting family/friends on Christmas day/New Year’s Day, use of well–being services and purchase of new clothes and Christmas spending on presents, parties, clothes), etc.

This webinar is of interest for all those who study consumer behaviour or are involved in promoting financial capability, educators, financial institutions, businesses and retailers.

ĠEMMA Webinar | Results of Pulse Survey on Household Money Management | October 2020

17th November 2020 between 11:00 and 12:30

The results of the 4th ĠEMMA Pulse Survey on Household Money Management conducted at the end of October 2020 will be presented and discussed by a panel consisting of:

• David Spiteri Gingell | ĠEMMA Team Leader
• Frans Camilleri | Economist
• Josef Bugeja | General Secretary – GWU
• Abigail Mamo | CEO – Chamber of SMEs
• Ramon Muscat | Director Advisory Services – EMCS

What are the trends that are evolving especially with the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic? Is the ability to save under pressure? Has sentiment changed about making major purchases? How many can still count on a Rainy-day Fund of at least 3 months?

This webinar is of interest to a wide audience, be they academics, business leaders, policymakers, strategists …

ĠEMMA Webinar | Social Security Contributions | What’s important to know …

3rd November 2020 between 11:00 and 12:30

Whether we’re employed or self-employed, we all know that part of our earnings goes for Social Security. Our first association of Social Security is very often with pensions. But what else does it contribute to? How does Malta’s Social Security system support us throughout life’s journey? What benefits does it provide and how does one access them? Are there pitfalls to avoid? What’s important to know …

This webinar will answer these and other questions with the participation of experts in the field.

ĠEMMA Webinar | Money Management and the Self-Employed

30^th September 2020 between 11:00 and 12:30

Are you thinking of going self-employed? Or are you self-employed but not sure whether you are meeting the necessary regulatory obligations that self-employment brings with it? Should you set yourself up as a company? Did you know that lack of knowledge about money management and financial management is often cited as one of the main causes of small business failures?

ĠEMMA Know, Plan, Act will be holding a webinar on 30^th September 2020 between 11:00 and 12:30 to discuss various themes that impact the self-employed or small business owner from a money-management perspective.  The panel includes:

• David Spiteri Gingell, ĠEMMA Team Leader,
• Prof Russell Smith, Director for the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation at the University of Malta
• Abigail Mamo, CEO of the Malta Chamber of SMEs.
• Dr Joseph Gerada – Family Business Office

This webinar builds on the recently published e-book “Handbook of how to go Self-Employed in Malta” highlighting the changes one can expect between being employed and being self-employed and the financial obligations one undertakes.  It is ideal for all those who are in self-employment, intend to start working as self-employed or are students in entrepreneurship.

Students in Further & Higher Education: Money Management and Student Loans

Aug 26, 2020 11:00 AM

Join this webinar exclusively for students, organised by ĠEMMA in collaboration with Bank of Valletta. Discover more on how you can manage your money during your student days and how you can access finance to further your studies.

AGENDA

• 11:00 – 11:20 Money Management tips for Students David Spiteri Gingell, ĠEMMA Consultant
• 11:20 – 11:40 Student Loans and banks’ requirements BOV Studies Plus+ Easier Access to finance for students Tonio Ellul, Bank of Valletta
• 11:40 – 12:00 Q&A session moderated by Mario Cassar, ĠEMMA

ĠEMMA Webinar | Managing Back-to-School Expenses

Having your children going back to school can be very expensive particularly if one does not plan for it carefully.

In this webinar, ĠEMMA tries to highlight important tips which one might find useful in order to lessen the financial burden that such activity usually involves. Re-using of stationery can not only result in financial savings but also have a positive impact on the environment. These can be either old copybooks, which might be used as rough paper or old book covers which are suitable to be re-used. Considering other avenues of how to buy in bulk those items that are frequently used during the whole scholastic year, usually unbranded and at a discounted price, can also have financial benefits. Labelling the child’s stuff with his/her name and other relevant details can also assist in case it is misplaced or lost.

Participants will have the possibility of putting questions to the panel.

• Ian Mifsud – Director Secretariat for Catholic Education
• Suzanne Piscopo – Associate Professor University of Malta
• Pauline Miceli – Commissioner for Children
• Alexia Cutajar – Parent
• Silvan Mifsud – Parent

The ĠEMMA Little Black Book of Scams & Frauds

Tuesday 14th July between 11:00 and 12:30 hours (CET)

Join us for a presentation on the key aspects of Parts I and II of ĠEMMA’s Little Black Book of Scams & Frauds followed by a panel discussion with:

• Mrs Iris Camilleri Mifsud – GEMMA: Consultant
• Mr Mark Drago – HSBC: Deputy Head of Financial Crime Compliance
• Mr Carm Cachia – eSkills Malta Foundation: Chief Administrator
• Mr Aldo Mamo – Bank of Valletta: Senior Manager, Data Protection and Information Security
• Mr Anthony Tomaselli Chetcuti – MFSA: Front End Relationship Manager

ĠEMMA’s series of Little Black Books of Scams and Frauds is based on ‘The Little Black Book of Scams’ concept that was first launched by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2012.

The objective of ĠEMMA’s series of Little Black Books of Scams and Frauds is to make you familiar with the many scams and frauds that are perpetuated and equip you with some knowledge on how you can protect yourself. Indeed, knowing what to look for and some basic tips to follow go a long way towards keeping you safe from becoming a victim.

This e-book, together with the other e-books in ĠEMMA’s series of Little Black Books of Scams and Frauds, are designed to increase your knowledge and awareness of potential scams and frauds, and, in doing so, to empower you to take the necessary action so that you are not scammed and suffer financial loss.

Participants will have the possibility of putting questions to the panel and will receive a copy of both Parts I and II of the ĠEMMA Little Black Book series after the webinar.

The core objectives of ĠEMMA Know, Plan, Act is to assist Maltese households to acquire skills to be financially capable – mainly in managing debt, managing a daily budget, building a safety net and planning for the future.

The ĠEMMA Pulse Survey on Household Money Management

Tuesday 16th June between 11:00 and 12:30 hours (CET)

Join us for a presentation of the findings of the first ĠEMMA Pulse Survey on Household Money Management followed by a panel discussion with

• Josef Bugeja, Secretary General, General Workers Union
• Frans A Camilleri, Advisor, Ministry for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity
• David Spiteri Gingell, ĠEMMA, Team Leader, Ministry for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity
• Patrick Psaila, Psychologist and Founder of PsyPotential

The ĠEMMA Pulse Survey on Household Money Management has the objective of tracking the public’s perceptions of their financial capability and comes at an important time given the influence of COVID-19 as an extraneous economic factor. Some people have lost their jobs or have been placed on reduced hours while others have not been as affected. This webinar, which is the first in a series by ĠEMMA, looks at the results of the surveys carried out during April and May 2020.

Participants will have the possibility of putting questions to the panel and will receive a copy of the survey results after the webinar.

The core objectives of ĠEMMA Know, Plan, Act is to assist Maltese households to acquire skills to be financially capable – mainly in managing debt, managing a daily budget, building a safety net and planning for the future.