APS Bank has announced its latest string of senior management appointments, including the promotion of Edward J Calleja to Chief Operating Officer, and of Liana DeBattista to Chief Strategy Officer.

The appointments, announced on Monday, also include a new Head of Culture, who took the position at the start of July, Head of Propositions, and Head of Credit Risk.

Incoming COO Mr Calleja is a veteran of APS Bank, having joined in 1992. Over the decades, he has occupied several senior positions at the bank including as Head of Advances and most recently Head of Risk.

Mr Calleja, whose appointment will, subject to regulatory approval, come into effect on 1st August, is a warranted Certified Public Accountant and fellow of the Malta Institute of Accountants.

Ms DeBattista will take over as CSO from Hervé Delpech on 1st October. She is also a double-digit year veteran of APS, having worked in several areas related to strategy, internal audit and marketing in previous years.

The position, pending regulatory approval, is a direct promotion from her previous role as Head of Strategy.

Rachael Blackburn moved into the position of Head of Culture at APS Bank on 1st July. She brings over 20 years of management experience to the role, including as Senior Executive at the Malta Council for Science and Technology and Director at Esplora.

She joined the bank as Change Management Specialist in 2019.

The new Head of Propositions is Zoltan Horvath, a Hungarian National with experience in the banking industry across Europe. He started his career at KBC Group, before moving to Budapest Bank-GE Capital, then to Oney in France.

Prior to joining APS Bank in 2020, as Senior Propositions Officer, he spent a six-year stint at Santander UK.

Marco Micallef has been appointed as Head of Credit Risk. He started his career in 1992, gaining extensive industry skills and experience before joining APS Bank in 2000. In 2011, he was appointed as Credit Risk Manager.