LAHORE, 19th MAY 2018: FINCA, one of Pakistan’s leading micro-finance banks, organised a ‘Financial Literacy Programme’ for its customers and members of the general public.

The aim of the video-based awareness programme, held at FINCA’s Johar Town Branch, was to educate customers about financial services and raise awareness about microfinance banks amongst those members of society with limited access to financial services. The session themes revolved around budgeting for small businesses, savings, investments, using alternative delivery channels etc. A mix of 21 people attended the inaugural session in 2018, most of them women. The attendees were intrigued by FINCA’s new mobile financial offering SimSim. They were also keen on probing extensively about their financial rights and responsibilities.

In a nationwide access to finance survey, 36% of respondents cited a “lack of knowledge or understanding” of financial services. That is why FINCA has taken this strategic initiative to help address the problem through awareness sessions across the FINCA branch network. The purpose of these sessions will be to educate the public on financial services, including budgeting, savings, investments, loans with terms and conditions, bank accounts, and the rights and responsibilities of customers, with the ultimate aim of helping them make smarter banking decisions in the future.

With the help of this ‘Financial Literacy Programme’, FINCA wishes to promote responsible banking by empowering its customers to gain reasonable information from financial institutions that enhances their ability to make sound financial decisions. The bank has planned to conduct these sessions across all of its 120 branches that are present in 108 cities nationwide.