Financial literacy programme focus on saving, budgets

 MORE Papua New Guineans are getting into the culture of saving and budgeting to better manage their finances, Bank South Pacific (BSP) says. 

Last Saturday, 93 employees of Consort Express Lines in Lae graduated from a financial literacy programme rolled out by the bank.

BSP said this was by far the biggest group of participants in its savings and budgeting training programme.

Participant Ken Keily said:  “It’s a great course, I learnt a lot from it and I’m really happy that I can now manage my finances well and help others.

“There is a big gap in Papua New Guinea with the personal financial management. I see the BSP financial literacy programme is one way to close that gap. “

Consort Express Lines general manager Terry Fuery expressed his gratitude to the bank for rolling out the programme to his employees. “I was surprised and pleased to see the number of people taking part in this programme,” Fuery said. 

“We are grateful for the financial literacy programme and there is no doubt our employees have taken a lot out of the programme.” 

BSP’s Top Town branch manager Agnes Mark said the onus was on the employees to practice what they’ve learnt. 

“BSP has equipped you with vital tools on financial literacy, we are confident you will act as an agent for change and help promote and development the culture of budgeting and savings among your friends, family and your communities,” Mark said. 

BSP has 93 trained trainers in NCD, Southern, Momase and Islands regions, with 27 from the Highlands region to undergo training and certification next month.