Ardshinbank, Armenia’s largest bank, has outlined its plans should its bid to acquire HSBC Bank Malta succeed.

In a wide-ranging interview published on MaltaCEOs.mt, Deputy Chair David Sargsyan says the operation would be run as a standalone Maltese bank, with no integration into Armenian systems or outsourcing of key functions abroad.

“It will be a pure Maltese, pure local operation – technically, culturally, and operationally,” he said.

The bank intends to revive the Mid-Med name, last used before HSBC’s 1999 takeover, to strengthen local identity.

Crucially, there will be no branch closures. On the contrary, Ardshinbank plans to invest in branch upgrades, expand the ATM network, and boost digital banking services.

A major priority will be bringing outsourced jobs back to Malta and hiring locally.

“It’s not about buying and closing – it’s about buying and developing,” Mr Sargsyan said.

Ardshinbank sees Malta not only as a local banking market, but also as a base for expansion into other EU countries.

“We want to build a strong Maltese bank that stands on its own,” Mr Sargsyan said.

Read the full interview on MaltaCEOs.mt.