>Promotion of accessibility and financial inclusion
The following is a list of case studies from ESBG members on the implementation of this Charter principle. The case studies are listed by country in alphabetical order.
Austria
Erste Group wins “CEE’s Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility” award from Euromoney
Erste Group Bank AG (Erste Group) has been recognized as “Central and Eastern Europe’s Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility” by Euromoney, one of the leading financial sector publications. In its 2018 Awards for Excellence, Euromoney honoured Erste Group for its region-wide implementation of a social banking programme that seeks to empower and finance social enterprises and addresses the needs of traditionally unbanked or underbanked groups in the CEE region.
Austria
Erste Bank Österreich receives CSR TRIGOS Award for its Social Banking Activities
EBOe has received the Social Innovation & Future Challenges award for its Social Banking activities from TRIGOS, the most respected competition in the area of corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability and social innovation.
Austria
Erste Group launches Social Banking programme across CEE region
Erste Group is launching the “Step-by-step” Social Banking programme, aiming to address directly the needs of traditionally unbanked groups of the societies in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Austria. Erste’s Social Banking programme fosters the financial inclusion of low-income individuals, first-time entrepreneurs and social organisations, offering them fair access to basic financial products, sound money advice and ongoing tailored business mentoring, so that these people can gain the financial confidence needed to improve their lives. The rollout of this Social Banking programme across all seven core markets of Erste Group will be completed by 2019.
Austria
Zweite Sparkasse wins European CSR Award in the category “Best Partnership”
The Zweite Sparkasse wins the first pan-European CSR Award, for the category “Best Partnership”
Austria
Good.bee and Erste Group
good.bee is the Micro-Banking and Social Enterprise Finance business of Erste Group. It was set up by the Erste Foundation and Erste Group in 2008 to develop innovative solutions to break down barriers to financial inclusion in Central and Eastern Europe. The business is currently managed by two good.bee-branded legal entities in Romania and in several countries in CEE as initiatives of Erste Group banks.
Austria
I €AN: The financial education programme of the Zweite Sparkasse
Since January 2010 Zweite Sparkasse volunteers have offered half-day interactive workshops on financial education for teenagers between 15 and 19 years old. The “I €AN” workshops educate first-time earners on how to manage their finances and prevent excessive indebtedness.
Brazil
Agência Barco Chico Mendes, CAIXA’s branch serving the Amazon Basin region
The Agência Barco Chico Mendes is a Caixa project that serves the riverside populations in Amazonas and Pará. It has two vessels, Chico Mendes, inaugurated in 2010 that operates in the Manaus-Coari stretch on the Solimões River, and the Marajó Island, inaugurated in 2014 and which operates in the 10 municipalities of the Island.
Chile
CuentaRut & Caja Vecina, BancoEstado’s agent banking scheme
Banco Estado plays a fundamental role in terms of access to financial services of individuals and MSME financing. It also supports several public policies and contributes to economic growth of the country by paying taxes, generating utilities and providing liquidity. BE improves access to financial services to people who live in remote areas thanks to Caja Vecina. Moreover, BE assesses the impact that its activities have on society.
Colombia
Cuentamiga, cost-free current account offered to the mass market by Banco Caja Social
Cuentamiga, cost-free current account offered to the mass market by Banco Caja Social. With over 107 years serving middle and low-income households in Colombia, Banco Caja Social is characterized by its service culture and commitment to serving the middle and lower-middle class of Colombia.
Dominican Republic
ASOCIACIÓN POPULAR DE AHORROS Y PRÉSTAMOS-APAP) and its “APAP TODOS” program towards social and financial inclusion
APAP TODOS is the first local initiative of its kind to financially include disabled people in Dominican Republic. Social and financial inclusion is part of APAP's vision and values. This creates in the institution the commitment to design inclusive solutions. The bank promotes the equality and non-discrimination policy that seeks to create a culture of inclusion and equality in the company.
El Salvador
Fede Puntos Vecinos, Fedecredito agent banking scheme present in 196 of the 262 municipalities nation-wide
SISTEMA FEDECRÉDITO is recognized, through Fede Puntos Vecinos, as the sole banking organisation in the country of Salvadoran ownership with the highest coverage of municipalities.
France
FNCE and Club Mobilité: A project that aims at easing access to brand new cars, enabling beneficiaries to reduce and better manage their mobility budget.
The Fédération Nationale des Caisses d’Epargne (FNCE) has created a program in partnership with Renault (French car manufacturer) and Action Tank (nonprofit organization) to address mobility issues.
France
FNCE: Contribution to the research and publication of the Microfinance Barometer (8th Edition)
Each year since 2010, Convergences has been publishing the Microfinance Barometer, a publication that aims at showcasing the global trends of the sector, while raising awareness about high impact microfinance initiatives and promoting best practices. This publication, mainly prepared in partnership with the Fédération Nationale des Caisses d’Epargne (FNCE), contains contributions from key French and international players.
France
FNCE Partnership with Habitat en Région to fight against exclusion
On 26 September 2017, Habitat en Région, the Fédération nationale des Caisses d’Epargne and Finances & Pédagogie association decided to sign a partnership to work together for the adaptation of social housing to people in need, for microloans and for financial education of tenants.
France
Savings banks in France – Promoting personal microcredit at a European level
The National Federation of French Savings Banks (FNCE) participated in the European project CAPIC (Cooperation for Inclusive Affordable Personal Credit) in 2012-2013. CAPIC was a 18 month EU project on knowledge and data exchange related to affordable personal credit. The project consisted in analyzing four case studies on existing practices in Belgium, France, Italy and United Kingdom, in order to identify best practices; afterwards, five dissemination workshops will spread the acquired knowledge.
France
Finances & Pédagogie partnership with «Entreprendre pour Apprendre» to promote entrepreneurship
For many years, Finances & Pédagogie has been partnering with Entreprendre pour Apprendre (EPA), with the objective of promoting entrepreneurship among young people in France.
France
Savings banks in France - Support to financial education and prevention
The association ”Finances & Pedagogie”, the subsidiary of the Caisses d’Epargne dedicated to financial inclusion, provides training related to money and budget management.
France
Ecureuil Cooperation Internationale(ECI), to promote international cooperation
The French savings banks launched the Ecureuil Coopération Internationale programme in 2008 to promote international cooperation. The programme aims to help developing countries’ savings banks and MFIs, through a community of volunteering employees from Caisse d’Epargne, who accept to share their professional know-how with partner financial institutions, mainly in West Africa.
Germany
Sparkasse Nürnberg: The smart way to provide services
Many people are constantly online and expect services to be available via the Internet. Savings banks flexibly adapts to the customers’ new needs, constantly expanding their offers. Sparkasse Nürnberg and several other German savings banks adapt to the fast-moving digital age by offering their customers state-of-the-art services in line with the customers’ needs.
Kenya
Postbank Kenya organises a wide range of activities in schools all over the country to promote savings and financial education
Postbank Kenya organises a wide range of activities in schools all over the country to promote savings and financial education. PostBank Kenya has developed tailor-made savings solutions for children, teenagers and young adults. One of their most successful products is the “SMATA” youth account, which targets youth aged 12-18 and presents them with an affordable and accessible banking product, putting them in the driver’s seat and in control of their finances. Postbank Kenya also fosters financial literacy among the disciplined forces of the country.
Malaysia
Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN)- Serving the micro-entrepreneur
BSN’s Micro/i scheme has assisted many micro-entrepreneurs by providing them with funds to expand their business and seize new market opportunities.
Malta
Investor Education Programme
For over a decade a series of sessions have been organised every year to discuss different investment or banking related topics for the general public.
Malta
Flusek
Bank representatives participate in this programme around three times a month. The programme is aired on one of the main TV stations and the interviews are held in Maltese. Topics are various but they are educational - no attempt is made to sell products or services, and no brand names are mentioned.
Morocco
Financial Education within AL BaridBank
Al Barid Bank is a major player in financial inclusion in Morocco. Its main mission is to provide banking services to citizens with low or irregular incomes, particularly in peri-urban and rural areas, in line with its vocation of serving all Moroccans and acting as a citizens’ bank. Convinced that digitisation and financial education are the key components for ensuring sustainable and efficient financial inclusion, Al Barid Bank has made them a priority since its inception in 2010.
Norway
The Norwegian Savings Banks Association - promotion of accessibility and financial inclusion
The Norwegian Savings Banks Assocation is promoting accessibility and financial inclusion, through a number of tools and services, such as Finansportalen.no (a service from The Norwegian Consumer Council), Educational booklets on economics, and an ongoing cooperation with the Red Cross.
Peru
FEPCMAC programme “Tu caja, tu cuenta” (Your bank, your account)
In Peru, the Municipal Savings and Credit Banks gathered to offer free online training sessions aiming to help Peruvians citizens to know more about the financial services offered on the market. The Peruvian Federation created Tu caja, tu cuenta (Your bank, your account), a financial inclusion programme educating people at every step of their life.
Portugal
CGD financial literacy programme : Saldo Positivo case
In 2008 Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) launched its financial literacy programme, Saldo Positivo website in http://saldopositivo.cgd.pt/. Its purpose was to help consumers managing their personal budgets and simplify financial language. CGD aims to help Portuguese families to make the best financial decisions in their day to day life. More recently, it has created a similar site focused on the SME business point of view, Saldo Positivo Empresas in http://saldopositivo.cgd.pt/empresas/
Portugal
Montepio: Promotion of accessibility and financial inclusion
MONTEPIO, founded in 1840, is a Portuguese mutual association known for its recognized, solid brand, for its historical foothold on mortgage and credit to real estate developers, as well as for its social mission and values. Financial inclusion is central to the way Montepio does business and a key component of its commitment to responsible finance.
Spain
CECA yearly conference on financial education
CECA holds a conference every year on the topic of financial education.
Spain
Kutxabank Branch and Cashpoint Accessibility
Kutxabank facilitates financial accessibility for persons with reduced mobility and the blind through online mobile banking and ATMs.
Spain
Caixabank. Financial Literacy Website
In 2014, Caixabank launched a ‘Financial Literacy’ website containing training materials adapted to different life stages.
Spain
BMN YEE and EME Programmes in the Region of Murcia
BMN participates in the programmes YEE (Young European Enterprise) and EME (Emprender en Mi Escuela – Entrepreneurship in My School-) in the Region of Murcia.
Spain
Unicaja Banco Information Day on the Latest Tax Reform and Its Impact on Enterprises
Unicaja Banco has promoted an information day on the latest tax reform and its impact on enterprises.
Spain
Caixabank. Aula Shareholder training programme
Aula, training for shareholders, aims to provide a grounding in issues concerning the financial markets and the stock market.
Spain
Caixabank Shareholder Handbook
CaixaBank has been awarded the Corporate Governance and Shareholder Forum prize a for the best shareholder engagement initiatives, its Shareholder Advisory Committee and its Shareholder Handbook.
Spain
Liberbank Accounting and Finance training programme
The Ciudad Real Chamber of Commerce and Liberbank have signed in 2015 a collaboration agreement to promote training activities, focusing on two basic cornerstones of SME activity: accounting and finance.
Spain
Unicaja Banco Workshop on “Practical Aspects of the New Andalusian Cooperative Law”
Unicaja Banco organized in 2015 a series of workshops in Almería to explain the latest regulatory changes in the agricultural cooperatives sector.
Spain
Unicaja Banco Introductory Course on Financial Education
The Unicaja Edufinet project launches an online introductory course on Financial Education open to the general public.
Spain
Caixabank Branch accessibility
The social commitment of “la Caixa” in questions of accessibility can be seen in several environments: branches, ATMs and Internet.
Spain
Caixabank “My Finances”, a smart family economy manager
CaixaBank launches “My Finances”, a new digital service for family and personal income and expenditure management.
Spain
ABANCA Mobile Banking App accessible to people with disabilities
With this initiative, ABANCA and ONCE make it easier for people with disabilities to access financial services
Spain
BMN promoting Financial Education
BMN contributes to the promotion of Financial Education in various ways
Spain
BMN Financial Education App
BMN and CajaGRANADA Foundation have developed a children’s financial education programme and App
Spain
Bankia and the NGO Cards
Bankia offers a set of debit and credit cards provided with social dimension: The NGO Cards.
Spain
Red Española de Educación Financiera 4th Conference on Financial Education
On April 18th, 2013, Red Española de Educación Financiera organised the 4th. Conference on Financial Education at Cecabank headquarters in Madrid.
Sri Lanka
Distribution channels to reach the unbanked
Although NSB owns a network of more than 4,500 service points all over the country, it devotes itself to developing distribution channels to enable unbanked people in rural areas to have access to basic financial services.
Sri Lanka
Inculcate the savings habit among children
In the light of the importance of inculcating the savings habit at a young age, NSB conducts school based banking and regular awareness raising campaigns.
Sweden
Swedbank and Swedish Savings Banks’ Young Economy initiative
Public education for children and youth and cooperation with schools has always been important to Swedbank and the savings banks. In 2011 the Swedish national curriculum was revised, and since then private economy is a part of social science in Swedish upper secondary school. This was also the starting point for Swedbank and the savings banks to agree on a nationwide educational offering to schools with the intention of contributing with expertise and experience in this field. The educational initiative called “Young Economy” has since then been one of the bank’s most prioritized societal engagements for children and youth.
Sweden
Sormlands Sparbank and “Young Entrepreneur”
Sormlands Sparbank is a local savings bank covering about 120 000 inhabitants in our region. Young Entrepreneur started in 2010 and has been running for 6 years. Young people aged 16-25 start their own small business over three summer months (June-August). A maximum of 60 young entrepreneurs participate each year inthe program, and in total we have had about 240 participants. Some start their businesses alone and some with one or more partners.
Tanzania
Tanzania Post Bank (TPB), promoting savings to all members of the population
Tanzania Post Bank (TPB) has been at the forefront of financial inclusion in Tanzania. 81% of the adult population (age 15+) does not have a bank account and 27% of the adult population are completely financially excluded. In the last 5 years, TPB Bank has brought 500,000 previously financially excluded Tanzanians into the financial system. In order to promote savings to all members of the population, TPB has partnered with VICOBAs, VSLAs and Informal Groups. TPB has also implemented differing programs and services to reach the rural population such as Mobile and Agency Banking.
Uganda
Postbank Uganda prepaid card payment solution for refugees
Postbank Uganda has developed a prepaid card payment solution to provide refugees and other beneficiaries with affordable financial services.
Uganda
Centenary Bank, ILO partner to train over 200 youth in Business Skills
At least 200 youths across the country received financial literacy training from Centenary Bank in partnership with the International Labour Organization under Youth Entrepreneurship Facility (YEF).
Uganda
Centenary Bank, PSFU Partner to elevate Financial status of Women
Centenary Bank, under our Supawoman Club programme, has in partnership with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda rolled out a financial literacy campaign among women to improve their levels of income and livelihoods.
Vietnam
Financial education for women: Continuous endeavours of LienVietPostBank for the benefit of the community
Regarding the project “Vi Viet – An innovative payment solution for Vietnamese women” which was granted a sponsorship amounting to USD 325,000 from the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), LienVietPostBank has coordinated with Vietnam Women’s Union to organize financial training courses integrating gender awareness to provide its members with knowledge of financial management and a variety of formal banking services.
Worldwide
WSBI Commitment to Financial Inclusion-WSBI Contribution to the UFA 2020 Goal
WSBI is a member of the Coalition of Partners that support the World Bank Group’s Universal Financial Access (UFA) 2020 Goal. At its meeting in Washington, D.C., on 23 September 2015, the WSBI General Assembly announced a new UFA 2020 numerical commitment that aims to reach 1.7 billion clients and 400 million new transaction accounts by the end of 2020, based on the current membership.
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