APS CEO says bank could tap into digital currencies to take advantage of disruption   

APS CEO Marcel Cassar confirmed the bank is looking to tap into digital currencies to take opportunity of a potential disruption to the traditional banking market.

“We’re looking at the new transformative landscape of digital currencies,” Mr Cassar tells MaltaCEOS.mt. 

“It's something we’re studying to understand what the opportunities could be. We’re looking at disruption episodes in the traditional banking landscape as something which should be an opportunity and not something which should make us hide or look the other way.”

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While he didn’t provide further details of APS’ exact plans, he said digital currencies are becoming more and more prominent, with the European Parliament soon set to vote on a European Central Bank project for a digital euro. 

“We know that digital currencies have become very disruptive to traditional banks in other markets and jurisdictions, particularly the United States,” he said. 

“It can leak out traditional deposits in fiat currencies from traditional banks. We don’t want to wait and allow that disruption to happen. We’re past a stage of studying and understanding what the risks are, what the disruptions could be and how we can position ourselves accordingly.”

APS reported a pre-tax profit of €26.5 million at group level for the 2025 financial year, an increase from €23.8 million in 2024. 

Its final and interim shareholder dividends amount to €14.2 million, a record for the bank. 

APS recently tried to acquire HSBC Malta but lost out to Greece’s CrediaBank. Despite this unsuccessful venture, Mr Cassar said the bank remains open to the possibility of acquiring another banking institution, even overseas.