‘Real leadership means accountability’ – FCM Bank CEO Miroslav Halička

Since becoming CEO in 2023, Miroslav Halička has steered FCM Bank Ltd towards record performance, doubling profitability and tripling its Maltese customer base. Drawing on 25 years of banking experience in the Czech Republic, his focus for 2026 centres on sustainable growth: expanding FCM Bank’s physical footprint while investing in customer-centred innovation.

Miroslav Halička’s arrival in Malta from the Czech Republic – and his journey to becoming CEO at FCM Bank Ltd – was unexpected. “Paradoxically, the pandemic and lockdown set things in motion, since we were stuck at home so much,” he recalls. “When the offer came to move to Malta, my wife and I thought, ‘Why not?’” The decision was made easier by his long-standing respect for Radomír Lapčík, Founder of TRINITY Banking Group and FCM Bank’s majority shareholder.

Joining FCM Bank as Chief Risk Officer in July 2020, Miroslav brought over 25 years of banking experience to the role, having served as Director of Risk Management at Credium – Financial Service Provider, the Czech subsidiary of Crédit Agricole.

His background spans different banking cultures. “In the Czech Republic, people are flexible, practical and seek efficient solutions – often thinking outside the box,” Miroslav explains. “The general banking environment, however, follows a strict hierarchy. Decisions involve long discussions and multiple approval levels. Sometimes, by the time we received the green light, the solution was already outdated, or the original goal had changed.”

By contrast, Malta offers a more balanced approach. “People in Malta discuss things thoroughly, but they’re not afraid to take responsibility and make a decision. It’s a healthy balance between structure and flexibility.”

Miroslav’s promotion to CEO in 2023 felt like a natural next step. “I already knew the environment and people at FCM Bank well, which smoothened the transition and allowed me to step naturally into responsibility for the bank’s performance.”

As CEO, Miroslav’s leadership rests on clear values. “I believe in consistency, integrity, ownership, and commitment. Leadership starts with being consistent in your principles and actions, taking full ownership of your responsibilities and staying committed to your team and goals. Real leadership means accountability – both to your team and to yourself. Success in this industry doesn’t come from quick wins, but from steady decisions, teamwork and long-term trust.”

Trust also underpins FCM Bank’s rise as one of Malta’s fastest-growing corporate banks. Established in 2010 and acquired by SAB Financial Group in 2017, the bank is part of the European banking portfolio of entrepreneur Radomír Lapčík, the Founder of the successful TRINITY Banking Group. It focuses on corporate lending and competitive deposits for personal and corporate clients. Real estate lending is also important, but not exclusive, Miroslav clarifies. “There is strong demand in Malta for real estate financing, but we also offer investment loans, project financing, working capital facilities, and balance sheet lending,” he says.

Miroslav’s first full year as CEO delivered record results. “Our 2024 performance was the outcome of solid growth in previous years. In 2022 and 2023, we significantly expanded our loan portfolio, which translated into higher profitability in 2024. Strengthening our treasury operations added a layer of income, and we maintained cost discipline. Sometimes that has meant making tough decisions, but it keeps us lean, competitive and ready for further growth.”

The bank’s most striking result concerned its Maltese customer base, which grew by over 200 per cent – a direct outcome of initiatives under Miroslav’s direction. “We offer highly competitive interest rates compared to larger Maltese banks. We also invested in marketing, enhanced our client spaces, introduced new products, and expanded our team.”

Miroslav’s approach as CEO is one of targeted adaptation rather than wholesale change. “The board approves the bank’s long-term strategy,” he highlights. “My responsibility as CEO lies in its execution and the adjustments required by market realities.”

Fine-tuning has paid off. “A stronger focus on the Maltese deposit market brought substantial growth and improved the structure of our funding base,” he says. “We also identified opportunities abroad. Alongside deposits from the Czech Republic and Germany, we have sourced funds from the Netherlands. We continuously monitor other markets and act quickly whenever new opportunities arise.”

For FCM Bank, growth in lending is measured. “We’ve been expanding the areas we finance, always in an organic and controlled manner,” Miroslav shares. “To keep the banking industry stable, we should avoid sharp turns and steer consistently towards long-term goals.”

Technology investment is continuous, with digital transformation a core pillar of the bank’s strategy. “Bolstering our IT infrastructure and digital systems has allowed us to enhance our client experience, optimise processes and prepare the bank for the next phase of growth.” FCM Bank’s team is equally central to its ongoing success, Miroslav underscores. “Our employees are the bank’s true value. Any decision affecting them – from development to motivation – shapes our long-term success.”

Yet, rapid growth brings its own challenges, notably finding talent. “As our business grows, we must attract skilled employees to keep delivering the highest quality of service to our clients,” Miroslav says. “This is demanding in Malta’s highly competitive market and sets high expectations for our team – but our culture of openness, stability and professional growth helps us retain colleagues who want to develop their skills and grow together with the bank.”

Competition for skilled employees in Malta remains fierce and extends beyond banking. “We compete not only with other banks, but also with fintech, iGaming and advisory firms. Malta’s advantage is its international outlook and the fact that English is an official language, which attracts professionals from across and beyond Europe.”

Meanwhile, customer retention is just as critical. “Finding new clients is never easy – but keeping them is even harder,” Miroslav admits, highlighting a recent customer-focused decision that may seem counterintuitive in an increasingly digital world: the opening of a new Premium Banking branch in September 2025.

“We believe in balance. Digital channels are essential for convenience and efficiency, while physical branches remain crucial for building relationships, trust and delivering personalised service, particularly in the premium segment,” he asserts. “Many Maltese clients prefer in-person banking. The new branch is for those who value human connection and tailored advice – a space where technology and personal interaction complement each other.”

One of FCM Bank’s latest customer-centred products, launched in July 2025, caters for younger clients starting their saving journey. “TOP Saver PRO has three interest-rate tiers, with the overall rate calculated as a weighted average based on the balance in each tier,” he explains. “Whenever a customer’s account balance changes, the interest is automatically recalculated.”

In the coming years, Miroslav expects new players to enter the Maltese banking sector and potentially improve overall service quality for customers. Nevertheless, he believes the sector will remain “efficient, stable and appropriately regulated by both Maltese and European authorities,” and that technological advances will reshape the landscape. “We will see greater use of digital channels, online platforms and technologies supported by artificial intelligence (AI), which will significantly influence all areas of life, much like the internet did decades ago.”

Even so, Miroslav cautions against losing the human touch. “The financial industry is shifting towards a more transparent and relationship-driven model – and that’s where I see the greatest potential,” he shares. “Many banks talk about personalisation, but few truly deliver it. With the right data insights and technology, there’s a huge opportunity to create banking experiences that feel tailored to each client’s needs, behaviours and aspirations. The human approach will define the next era of financial services.”

That outlook anchors FCM Bank’s plans, which focus on people and on steady growth built upon the foundations of its values. “Our journey is still unfolding,” Miroslav adds. “We’re proud of how far we’ve come, but even more excited about what’s ahead. Through trust, transparency and innovation, we aim to make banking better for everyone we serve, with a bank that our clients and our people are proud to be part of.”

This article is part of the serialisation of 50 interviews featured in MaltaCEOs 2026 – the sister brand to MaltaCEOs.mt and an annual high-end publication bringing together some of the country’s most influential business leaders.