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Bank of Valletta is announcing an international essay competition organised by the European Savings Banks Group (ESBG) and open to all graduates at masters level and PhD degree holders. The winning essay will be awarded up to EUR5,000 and will be published and presented to senior members of the European Savings Bank industry during the next European Symposium on Savings Banks History in 2006. The first and second runners-up will also be awarded with EUR2,500 and EUR1,500 respectively.
Founded at the beginning of the 19th Century, over 200 years ago, the majority of Europe's savings banks take pride in a strong tradition and identity, which in turn, affects the way in which they are positioned to face current challenges, influenced by the ever changing political, economic and social circumstances.
Lack of up-to-date research into the savings banks industry has spurred the ESBG to encourage and support research in order to appreciate and to improve awareness of the role of savings banks in society, both against the background of the European banking sector and of the world of banking in its various dimensions.
The year 2004 marks the launch of this Award, a prestigious recognition that will be awarded every two years to a manuscript that is deemed to make an outstanding contribution to European savings banks knowledge.
Speaking about this competition, Peter Sant, Senior Economics Officer, EU Affairs at Bank of Valletta who has been appointed coordinator of the competition in Malta said: “this prestigious award seeks to encourage academic research into the savings bank industry in Europe and aims to stimulate thought and discussion on trends and market forces impacting its evolution and industry dynamics. We are honestly looking forward to an active participation.”
The academic work may tackle any aspect of the evolution of European savings banks systems or of savings in the community in general. Specific attention to the historical aspects will be an asset. Candidates must submit their manuscript in English and in two formats, hardcopy and as an electronic MS word file by not later than 15 September 2004 to their respective national coordinator.
Competing entries and queries for further information from Malta, should be addressed to Mr Peter Sant, national competition coordinator at the BOV Centre in Sliema by e-mail on peter.sant@bov.com
Established in 1963 and based in Brussels, the European Savings Banks Group represents the needs and interests of its members and generates, facilitates and supports the management of cross-border banking projects. ESBG represents 24 members from 24 pan-European countries, comprising almost 1,000 individual savings and retail banks, operating 65,000 branches and employing 757,000 people. At the start of 2003, total assets of ESBG members amounted to EUR4,355 billion and total non-bank loans to EUR2,195 billion. ESBG members are typically savings and retail banks with a customer-oriented, socially responsible approach and a market focus of individuals, households, SMEs and local authorities.
For more information about the contest, visit:
www.savings-banks.com
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