As part of efforts to implement the Action Plan to increase the level of financial literacy among the Ukrainian population for 2013, which was endorsed by Ordinance No. 61-od of 18 May 2013 issued by the National Bank of Ukraine, the National Bank of Ukraine invites public organizations, professional associations, banking and financial institutions, commercial companies, central and local government agencies to participate in the events that will be held in Ukraine as part of the All-Ukrainian Week of Financial Literacy and World Savings Day celebrations.
The World Savings Day will be marked in Ukraine on 31 October, and the All-Ukrainian Week of Financial Literacy will be launched on 4 November.
The main purpose of the All-Ukrainian Week of Financial Literacy is to hold a public awareness campaign to inform the public about the family budget management, the main principles of financial accounting, promote a savings and investment culture, and provide the public with reliable information about the main financial products.
"The National Bank of Ukraine is open to cooperation and backs the initiatives put forward by all sides committed to raising the level of financial literacy among the Ukrainian population as it paves the way for stronger financial services consumer rights protection," noted Mr Borys Prykhodko, First Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, adding that even people in economically advanced countries sometimes lack the ability to assess potential risks. Therefore, financial literacy skills are becoming one of the core life skills needed for today's world.
The educational events targeting the population, of all ages and social groups, are expected to be held as part of the All-Ukrainian Week of Financial Literacy. They have been designed based on recommendations provided by the National Bank of Ukraine and will be conducted by partner organizations of the National Bank of Ukraine. The educational events are tailored for different target groups based on their psychographics (characteristics, range of interests). Please contact the Press Service of the National Bank of Ukraine (the coordinator of this event) to get access to information materials (E-mail: [email protected]).
The main theme for the World Savings Day 2012 was thrift. The educational events initiated by the National Bank of Ukraine were held for schoolchildren, students, young families, small business owners and pensioners. This year, banks will mark the World Savings Day by arranging Welcome Days in their branch offices using the guidelines and recommendations provided by the National Bank of Ukraine.
The National Bank of Ukraine invites all interested partners who have experience, resources and willingness to conduct topic-based interactive classes for different social and age groups of population to join the events that will be held as part of the All-Ukrainian Week of Financial Literacy. Please inform the Press Service (E-mail: [email protected]) or the regional branches of the National Bank of Ukraine of your intention to take part in the events and get information materials.
Effective cooperation between government agencies, financial market participants and public organizations in implementing the socially important initiatives to raise the level of financial literacy among the Ukrainian population launched by the National Bank of Ukraine is crucial for the promotion of a savings culture, cultivation of money management skills and efficient financial services consumer rights protection.
Information on the World Savings Day
The history of the World Savings Day started in Milan, during the 1st International Savings Bank Congress, which began on 27 October 1924 and brought together the representatives of savings banks from 29 countries. On 31 October 1924, on the last day of the Congress, the Italian Professor Ravizza put forward the proposal to mark this day every year as the World Thrift Day to commemorate the first meeting of savings banking institutions from all countries. In the resolutions of the Thrift Congress it was decided that the "World Thrift Day'" should be a day devoted to the promotion of savings all over the World. The representatives of 29 countries wanted to bring to mind the thought of saving to the worldwide public and its relevance to the economy and the individual. The idea is for the banks to be open, so that the people are able to transfer their savings into their account.
In 1989, the World Savings Day was officially recognized by the United Nations.
The World Savings Day was first marked in Ukraine last year, with over 20 banks joining the celebrations. On that day, these banks offered special terms of deposits for their customers and provided their customers with additional information on financial institutions' activities. The Ukrainian citizens used this opportunity to raise the level of financial literacy and improve the financial well-being of their families, while banks were given the chance to attract new customers and boost public confidence in their business.