Westpac Bank PNG delivered free financial literacy training to 9,013 people across Papua New Guinea in financial year 2026, equipping students, communities and small businesses with practical skills in budgeting, saving and money management.
The bank conducted 109 hours of financial literacy training through 67 facilitated sessions, reaching participants in Port Moresby, Goroka and other parts of the country.
Women accounted for 53% of participants, while men represented 47%.
The programme reached a broad cross-section of communities, including students, young people, church groups, community organisations, employees, corporate customers and small businesses. Training was delivered through face-to-face sessions, webinars and regional outreach activities.
Participants received practical guidance on budgeting, saving, managing personal finances and business planning. The programme also included Westpac's Financial Basics for My Business training, which focuses on strengthening financial management skills among small business owners.
Westpac Pacific Head of Corporate Affairs, Marketing and Community Rachel White said the FY2026 results demonstrated the value of making practical financial knowledge more accessible to individuals and businesses across Papua New Guinea.
“Financial knowledge plays an important role in giving people greater confidence in the decisions they make about their money. What makes this programme valuable is its practical focus, whether we're working with a student learning the basics, a community group or a small business looking to strengthen its financial management,” White said.
“Reaching more than 9,000 people in FY26 is a result we're proud of, and our focus is on continuing to make financial education accessible to more Papua New Guineans.”
Westpac continued to expand its financial literacy initiatives throughout FY2026. During the first quarter alone, 1,072 people took part in 18 training sessions, including programmes for schools and corporate customers. These covered Financial First Steps and Financial Basics for My Business, delivered through both face-to-face and virtual formats.
Beyond expanding its reach, Westpac also strengthened the programme's delivery and impact measurement during the financial year. Improvements included updated training resources, enhanced participant tracking, the collection of testimonials and more robust impact reporting.
Westpac's free financial literacy programme has been operating across the Pacific since 2007, providing education, resources and tools to help individuals and communities develop greater financial knowledge and confidence.
Westpac PNG said it would continue expanding the programme's reach across communities and businesses, helping more Papua New Guineans develop the practical financial skills needed to make informed financial decisions.
