CrediaBank Promises Continuity Amid HSBC Malta Talks
CrediaBank has pledged that HSBC Malta customers will experience seamless continuity of service should its proposed takeover go ahead. A spokesperson told Newsbook Malta that payments and transfers would remain unaffected, customer funds are safeguarded under EU banking rules, and an expanded product range is expected. Employees were also assured of job security, respect for existing conditions, and potential new opportunities. The spokesperson noted that CrediaBank has a strong history of integrating HSBC systems, pointing to previous success in Greece. HSBC Bank Malta’s parent company announced in August that CrediaBank S.A., formerly Attica Bank, was the preferred bidder for its 70.03% majority stake. Exclusive discussions are under way, but no binding agreement has yet been reached. Any deal would be subject to regulatory clearance by the Malta Financial Services Authority and the European Central Bank, a process expected to take several months. HSBC’s review reflects its pivot towards Asia. (Newsbook)
Court Rejects Fenech’s Bid to Exclude Police Statements
The Constitutional Court has dismissed a request by Yorgen Fenech to have his 2019 police statements ruled inadmissible in the case concerning the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Fenech argued that the statements were not voluntary, claiming his cocaine dependency rendered him vulnerable during questioning. He said he was held in solitary confinement at Corradino Correctional Facility for 30 days after testing positive for drugs, and insisted that lengthy interrogations while under the influence breached his right to a fair hearing. The Court noted, however, that the contested statements were made during police interrogations on 29 and 30 November 2019, following his arrest on 20 November. Statements he made earlier, in the context of seeking a presidential pardon, had already been deemed inadmissible in earlier proceedings. The ruling clears the way for prosecutors to rely on the five remaining statements when the trial by jury begins. (Times of Malta)
Police Crackdown on Vagrancy Sees 15 Charged
Fifteen people have been charged with vagrancy and begging following a police crackdown in Marsa, St Julian’s, Sliema and Gżira. Police said a total of 28 individuals were arrested on Thursday, of whom 13 were found to be in Malta illegally. The remaining 15 appeared in court charged with living an idle and vagrant life, failing to demonstrate they had made genuine efforts to work despite lacking means of subsistence, and begging. Some of the accused also faced additional charges of recidivism. The police operation forms part of ongoing efforts to address homelessness and related public order concerns across several localities. Those charged are expected to face fines or custodial sentences, depending on the court’s assessment of their cases and prior records. The arrests follow recent public debate over the growing visibility of homelessness in urban areas, with calls for both stronger enforcement and greater social support measures. (Maltatoday)
