PARTNERS—Hiwa (left) hands over the dummy cheque to Pondani

National Bank of Malawi (NBM) on Friday donated K1 million to the Media Institute for Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi to go towards the World Press Freedom Day celebrations scheduled for today in Blantyre.

The celebrations fall on May 3 every year and this year’s theme is Information as a Public Good.

NBM Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Akosa Hiwa said the donation aims at encouraging professionalism in the industry.

Harry Mukaka Head of Treasury and Investment Banking

In a bid to serve its clientele more, and with due diligence, the bank of the nation, National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has entered into a partnership with International Money Transfer Institution, Western Union, that specializes in global cross-border and cross-currency money movement to ease money transfer transactions for its customers and non-customers.

NBM plc Head of Treasury and Investment Banking, Harry Mukaka, said in an interview that the partnership with Western Union will help customers to send and receive money with speed, ease, and reliability.

“The specialist money transfer service normally targets small amount transfers from one person in one country to another person in another country.

Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam), through support from National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc online chess sponsorship has presented tablets to three government schools to enhance online chess training and tournaments.

President of Chessam Susan Namangale said they presented four tablets to three government pilot schools in three regions of the country in a bid to improve the game of chess amongst students in the country.

“This is part of a long term plan to foster the game of chess within schools across the country. With social limitations posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, we intend to enhance online chess training and accessibility to online tournaments for schools that cannot afford to purchase their own electronic equipment. This is part of the NBM plc online chess sponsorship presented to us earlier in the year,” said Namangale.

Dulira (right) presents some of the items to Mbizi

National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc on Thursday handed over items worth K10 million to the Citizens Response to Covid-19 Initiative for the fight against the pandemic.

The Bank pledged to pay for the items a few months ago after members of the Initiative, which is being led by France based Onjezani Kenani sourced the items on their own according to the needs of society in the fight against Covid-19 in the country.

Presenting the items in Blantyre, NBM plc Head of Human Capital Charles Dulira who is also Chair of the Bank’s Covid 19 Response Committee, said the Bank decided to contribute to the Citizens initiative because the war against the pandemic need concerted efforts and unity to win.

NBM CEO Macfussy Kawawa

Listed National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has registered a group profit after tax of K22.45billion from K17.16 billion in 2019 representing an increase of 31% for the period ending 31 December 2020.

In a statement signed by the Bank’s Board Chairman Dr George Partridge, Board member Dorothy Ngwira, Chief Executive Officer Macfussy Kawawa and Chief Finance Officer Masauko Katsala, NBM plc says there was a significant growth in non-interest income of 17% while net interest and investment income grew by 9%.

“Overall net revenue grew by 12%. The Bank continued to control expenses within inflation. Operating expenses increased by 7% while impairment losses reduced by 45%.Customer deposits increased by 27% year on year while the Bank’s loan book grew by 6% largely on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Excess funds were invested in Treasury Bills and Treasury Notes which grew by 35%,” reads the statement in part.

Closing Ceremony of the Chess Online tourney

The inaugural National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc sponsored online chess tournament took place at the weekend and lured an unprecedented 166 participants.

Played online on lichess platform as part of the MK3.6 million sponsorship by NBM plc, the tournament was split into four categories namely: First Timers, Juniors, College students and Open section for males and females.

In the First Timers category, newcomer Precious Thebe from Mzuzu reigned supreme on 8.5 points, followed by Melisa Kwakwala from Mzuzu International Academy who scored 8 points followed by Joshua Bulaula with 7.5 points, Lumbani Mwalwanda with 7.5 points and Owen Chimberenga scored 6 points. Faith Kamanga was the best performing girl in the First Timers category.

National Bank of Malawi has pumped in K3.6 million to the Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam).

According to Chessam publicity secretary, Alfred Chimthere, the money will be used for Online Chess events lined-up for this year targeting students across the country.

“The youth tournaments will be championed by the National Schools Coordinator, Magret Ngugama, in conjunction with regional school coordinators in the North, Centre and South. Through this support we believe students will be able to get smartphones to aid online school learning and at the same time to play Chess,” he said.

Akossa Hiwa: Valentine’s Day gives us all the perfect opportunity to enjoy some lighthearted moments with loved ones

Listed National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has rolled out a Valentine promotion dubbed ‘Va Ma Love Ndi Mo’ where customers will walk away with cash prizes totaling to K6 million.

NBM plc Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Akossa Hiwa said in an interview yesterday that at least 120 customers with the highest number of transactions on the Bank’s digital platforms will have K50,000 credited to their accounts to boost their Valentine’s Day budgets.

“We are all aware that the year 2021 has started out on a sour note due to the recent upsurge of the Covid-19 pandemic and as a bank we thought of celebrating St Valentines with our customers and prospective customers to bring positivity and hope.”