The simulation of the real operation of a bank, with 'Bancool' - a replica of a bank branch -, a workshop on saving, a drawing competition for the younger ones and a quiz to evaluate financial culture. These were the activities developed by the Portuguese Banking Association (APB) in another participation in the commemorations of the Financial Education Day/World Savings Day, which reached more than 450 students, from the 1st to the 12th grades.

These actions, carried out with the support of the Banking Training Institute (IFB), took place on 2 November at the Amadora Secondary School. Students from the IFB's Banking Techniques and Operations Course, together with the APB's Financial Education Working Group, organised 'Bancool', focusing on imparting knowledge about the role of banks in society, supporting the economy and providing access to a wide range of means of payment.

Bancool

Students from the Amadora Secondary School were also able to take a Quiz, where the IFB young graduates invited them to assess their financial literacy.

Quiz

The aim of these actions, led by and aimed at young people, was also to illustrate the greater or lesser complexity of financial products, alert them to security issues and show how the relationship between clients and financial institutions works.

The APB and its member banks also organised a workshop on saving for young people in secondary school, where the idea was to motivate them to start saving right away.

Workshop

For the younger ones (1st cycle), there was also a drawing competition, where children were challenged to draw a banknote and express their understanding of money, its importance and what to do with it.

Drawing competition

In this event of the National Financial Training Plan (Bank of Portugal, CMVM and the Insurance and Pension Funds Supervisory Authority), which the APB once again joined, the aim was to promote and raise awareness to the importance of deeper financial education.

The second Financial Education Booklet was also presented at the Amadora Secondary School, aimed at 2nd cycle students, after the first Financial Education Booklet had been published last year for the 1st cycle. This initiative of the National Financial Training Plan has the committed support of the APB, as well as the APS, APFIPP and ASFAC and also has the Ministry of Education as a partner.