Banks in school savings drive

 By SHIRLEY MAULUDU

THE Bank of PNG (BPNG) and financial institutions took time this week to carry out savings campaign in schools in the National Capital District. 

It was part of BPNG and other financial institutions’ national youth campaign 2014-15, through visitation of primary and secondary schools in NCD and schools in Central.

It also marked the Global Money Week this week. 

The drive hoped to instill savings behaviour among young minds in PNG and to encourage Papua New Guineans from age 6-25 to open bank accounts. 

Garima Tongia, senior analyst with BPNG, said the campaign was a follow-up from financial inclusion expo late last year at Sir John Guise stadium in Port Moresby. 

Tongia said the main commercial banks with some financial institutions joined BPNG to partner in the campaign. 

“Other financial institutions will follow suit to promote banking in schools, help students understand the importance of savings so that they can deposit K1 or K2 lunch money into their passbook accounts. 

“We will have annual awards for best savers in schools, best school with the highest number of students opening accounts, which will be announced annually by BPNG.”