Bank of Valletta review
Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
Bank of Valletta suits everyday spenders in Malta who want a plain bank debit card with no monthly charge. Its Cashlink Pay card runs on Visa, and the current account fee is €0, so the card costs nothing to hold in the same way a premium card would.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No monthly account charge, with the current account fee at €0
- Cashlink Pay is a debit card, so spending draws on your own bank balance
- Runs on the Visa network, which most European terminals accept
- Backed by an established bank, Bank of Valletta p.l.c., founded in 1974
Cons
- Spending sits with a visa card from a bank based in Malta, so it is aimed at the home market rather than at travel abroad
- A €0 monthly fee is a common baseline rather than an edge, since the median monthly fee across listed brands is €0 and the upper quartile is €0
Who it suits
- Malta-based residents who mostly spend at home and want no monthly charge
- Anyone who prefers spending from a bank balance rather than a loaded balance
- People who value an established local bank over a newer fintech brand
Who should look elsewhere
- Travelers who need wide foreign fee and allowance terms, who may find more in Monzo Flex
- Anyone building a multi-currency balance, where Wise serves that need better
- Frequent cash users, who should check what the BMW Card von American Express allows before switching
Who runs it
Bank of Valletta is the legal entity behind the card, Bank of Valletta p.l.c., and it is headquartered in Malta. The bank was founded in 1974, which makes it one of the longer established institutions in the market rather than a recent arrival. That matters for a card that spends straight from a bank balance, since your money sits with the bank itself.
How Bank of Valletta compares
9.4 vs 9.4
9.4 vs 9.0
9.4 vs 8.2
9.4 vs 9.5
9.4 vs 9.6
9.4 vs 9.0
9.4 vs 9.1
9.4 vs 8.9
9.4 vs 8.1
9.4 vs 8.2
9.4 vs 9.5
9.4 vs 9.4
9.4 vs 9.2
9.4 vs 9.1
9.4 vs 9.0
9.4 vs 8.9- 9.4 vs 8.8
9.4 vs 8.8
9.4 vs 8.6
9.4 vs 8.5
9.4 vs 8.3
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Bank of Valletta card each month?+
The current account fee is €0, so there is no monthly charge to keep the account open. You can hold the Cashlink Pay card without paying a separate subscription on top. Other charges can still apply when you spend or withdraw, so the card being free to hold is not the same as every action being free.
Is Cashlink Pay a debit or prepaid card?+
Cashlink Pay is a debit card, which means purchases come straight out of the balance in your Bank of Valletta account. There is no separate card balance to top up first. That suits people who prefer their spending to leave their bank account rather than a loaded card balance.
Which network does the card run on?+
The card runs on the visa network. Visa is the most widely accepted network across European shops, terminals and cash machines, which keeps everyday use straightforward in Malta and nearby markets. If you travel further afield, check what a bank charges on the foreign purchase before relying on the card abroad.
Is my money protected while the card is in use?+
Because the card is a debit card, the money behind a payment stays in your Bank of Valletta account with the bank rather than sitting with a third party. The legal entity holding it is Bank of Valletta p.l.c.. Read your account terms for the specific protections that apply to your account.
Who is Bank of Valletta?+
Bank of Valletta is Bank of Valletta p.l.c., headquartered in Malta and founded in 1974. It is a bank rather than a fintech, so the account sits inside an established institution. For readers who want a spending card with a bank behind it, that is the main draw.
Is this card good for travellers?+
The card runs on visa, so it will work in many countries, though your bank's terms decide what happens on a foreign purchase. If you travel often or hold money in several currencies, Wise is built around holding and converting balances across currencies. For spending close to home in Malta, this card is the simpler fit.
What account is the card tied to?+
It is tied to a Bank of Valletta current account, with a fee of €0. The card itself is a debit card on the visa network, so the balance behind each payment is the money in that account. If you want a card you can load ahead of time instead, you would need a different product.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_Valletta checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded, Headquarters
“Founded 1974”
- bov.com/meta/downloads checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Legal entity
“Bank of Valletta p.l.c.”
- bov.com/meta/downloads checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Monthly fee
“Providing a debit card BOV Cashlink Visa Card Free”
- bov.com/meta/downloads/cashlinkpay-product-info-guide checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Card type, Card network
“The BOV CashlinkPay is a Visa debit card”
Compiled from 4 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Currency conversion fee, Free ATM withdrawals, Protection.
Bank of Valletta
Maltese residents who want a free Visa debit card for everyday spending