As part of its continuous commitment in enhancing financial literacy across ASEAN, Maybank and Maybank Foundation recently hosted the 3rd Maybank Regional Financial Education Excellence (Regional FinEx) Awards 2024 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theatre (MPAT) in Bonifacio Global City, Manila, Philippines. This year’s event celebrated the achievements of schools, educators and families dedicated to fostering financial literacy among the younger generation.
Following the success of previous Regional FinEx events held in Malaysia and Cambodia, this year’s event aims to further position Maybank as the leading champion of financial literacy in the Philippine region. Since 2013, through the award-winning Cashville Kidz (CVK) Financial Literacy programme, Maybank and Maybank Foundation has championed the cause of raising the levels of financial literacy amongst the younger generation across ASEAN, making Maybank the first Malaysian & ASEAN Bank to embark on such a wide scale programme of this nature.
Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Chairman of Maybank Group and Maybank Foundation in his opening remarks at the awards ceremony highlighted the importance of financial literacy, the region’s challenges, and the foundation's role in fostering positive change and commitment to creating sustainable impact, stating “In a region where financial literacy levels vary widely, empowering young people with the knowledge and skills to navigate today’s evolving economic landscape is critical. At Maybank Foundation, we are committed to supporting the region's development by helping children acquire the skills they need to make informed financial decisions, break the cycle of poverty, and secure a brighter future for themselves and their families.”
Maybank’s CVK programme continues to address the need for financial education in schools across ASEAN by educating and empowering school children between the ages of 9 - 12 via animated series, focusing on essential life skills that surpass social and economic boundaries.
Since its launch, the CVK programme has positively impacted over 370,000 school children and trained more than 6,300 teachers across nearly 1,370 schools in eight countries, including Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Patrick Dennis L. Solosa, Officer-in-Charge, President & CEO of Maybank Philippines Incorporated expressed his enthusiasm stating, “The CVK programme continues to evolve, combining elements of fun and learning which makes it even more exciting and easier for the children to become financially savvy. Through the partnership with MoneyTree Asia Pacific, the implementation of this initiative has been more seamless as the contents are customised to meet Filipino culture while keeping up with latest digital trends.”
The CVK programme is accorded co-curriculum status by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia and is supported through its strategic partnership with the Department of Education Philippines (DepEd), National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports Cambodia (MOEYS), and is supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture, Indonesia and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Philippine central bank).
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Deputy Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Managing Director Charina B. De Vera-Yap remarked, “The Cashville Kidz programme perfectly aligns with our vision to improve financial literacy nationwide, establishing financial awareness during the formative years as the foundation for lifelong habits. Over the past five years, more than 31,000 students and 1,374 teachers benefited from this innovative program across 100 schools.”
The awards ceremony recognised and showcased outstanding nominees from Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam in the following four categories:
- Best School Award
This award is given out to the School that has displayed exemplary leadership, vision and willingness in driving the Financial Literacy agenda in their school.
- Best Educator Award
This award is given out to the Educator who has displayed extraordinary dedication and commitment during the Cashville Kidz programme to ensure his or her students achieve marked improvement in their Pre and Post assessment scores.
- Best Student Award
This award is given out to the Student who achieved the highest Post Assessment score in the Cashville Kidz programme and who has put in extraordinary effort in transforming himself or herself into a Financial Literacy role model for his or her peers.
- Best Family Award
This award is given out to the family that has displayed a strong willingness, deep commitment and firm resolve to improve the family’s financial standing and resilience through the Cashville Kidz Family Budgeting programme.
The Maybank Regional FinEx 2024 was graced by several dignitaries, including His Excellency Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, Charina B. De Vera-Yap, Managing Director, Financial Inclusion and Consumer Empowerment Sub-sector, Regional Operations and Advocacy Sector, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Raquel Rayel Solano, Deputy Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations, Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines, Her Excellency Heng Pisey, Second Secretary, Embassy of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Her Excellency Lindi Mahesi, Second Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia and various officials from ASEAN countries.
Also present at the awards ceremony were Officer-in-Charge, President & CEO of Maybank Philippines Incorporate, Patrick Dennis L. Solosa, Chief Sustainability Officer, Maybank, Shahril Azuar Jimin and CEO of MoneyTree Asia Pacific, Michael Reyes.
In the last decade, Maybank Foundation has established itself to be a regional social impact organisation, actively supporting Maybank’s mission of Humanising Financial Services. In ensuring to be a force for good, while positively impacting the communities it serves, Maybank Foundation has touched more than 460,000 lives since 2013. This has led to it being accorded ASEAN accreditation status, underscoring Maybank’s dedication to creating meaningful, measurable, and long-term sustainable impact across the region.