Financial education

Maintaining financial health once the lockdown is over will be important for our savings goals and for having a financial cushion that makes it possible to handle any emergency, thus ensuring peace of mind with respect to financial matters. That’s why it’s a good idea to continue some of the habits that have become widespread during the lockdown, habits that have proven effective for saving money.

Reducing inequality, one of the key points in the UN’s SDG agenda (SDG stands for Sustainable Development Goals), has become an even more pressing issue in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, which is deepening existing social divides across the globe. María José Roa, researcher, teacher, member of the INFE/OECD Research Committee and winner of the BBVA EduFin Grants 2019, analyzes the root causes and the impact of these inequalities and the role of financial education to reduce them in Latin America.

The coronavirus crisis has lead to a situation of instability and uncertainty in the markets. For investors, it’s time to keep a cool head and consult reliable, updated sources of information. On the other hand, people who would like to learn to invest while at home these days, have many different kinds of quality educational resources just a click away.

March has traditionally been the month of financial education, with major events like Global Money Week. However, the postponement of this event due to the coronavirus crisis has made online education take the lead in order to keep the spirit of these days dedicated to financial education.

March 18 marks the start of the application period of this year’s edition of BBVA EduFin Research Grants, a program organized by the BBVA Center for Financial Education  and Capabilities. The international call for grants invites candidates to submit their research proposals focusing on a range of topics related to financial education across the world.

What impact does financial literacy have on women’s empowerment? Is it possible to curtail gender violence rates through financial education? These are just some of the issues addressed by one of the wining papers of BBVA Edufin Research Grants, organized by the Center for Education and Financial Capabilities.

The 7th Survey on the Saving Habits of the Spanish Population; prepared by Instituto BBVA de Pensiones-Mi Jubilación (BBVA Retirement Pensions Institute – My Retirement), focuses on the Spanish baby boomer generation. The survey offers very revealing insights into the perception that people born between 1957 and 1977 (aged 42 to 62) have about their financial standing regarding their retirement. Elisa Chuliá, a member of the Forum of Experts of the BBVA Retirement Institute has taken a deep look a the survey’s results to narrow down the financial traits that define this generation.

To what extent does having a bank account while still a minor— without parental oversight or control of other guardians — influence one's life? This is one of the principle questions answered by research conducted by Carly Urban of the University of Montana and selected by the BBVA Center for Financial Education and Capability during the first installment of the BBVA EduFin Research Grants.

With the slogan “Time for Action”, the goal of the 2019 Madrid Climate Change Conference is for the countries to present their commitments and finalize the rules needed to implement the Paris Agreement in 2020. On an individual level, this conference is a good time to reflect on our own consumption habits and look at how to manage our personal finances in a sustainable, eco-friendly manner.

It is common to think that saving is synonymous with not spending. But nothing could be further from the truth. Saving means spending better to make the most out of your money and, in addition, putting an amount aside to meet financial goals. The first step to achieve this is to draw up a family budget where all expenses are properly classified.

World Savings Day celebrates a financial habit that should be learned from an early age to ensure better financial planning in the future. Young people aren't adults yet and don’t have the financial responsibilities of grownups. But, as kids become teenagers, they do have to start facing certain challenges, such as managing their monthly allowances to save a bit - or at least not overspend - or start using their first bank account.

Financial education takes center stage throughout the year with activities to take place around the globe. During these sessions, prestigious subject matter experts will share their knowledge at conferences, workshops, and classes. The agenda of events represents an unparalleled opportunity to learn about the world of finance.

It is not easy to talk about money. Many people consider it a taboo, or they feel insecure about their knowledge of finance, so they avoid the topic. This is problematic when it happens with a financial advisor.

New technologies are catalysts for change, but the full benefits will only be available to those with a good financial and digital education. Verónica López Sabater, director at the  International Financial Analysts Foundation (AFI) champions digital technologies as a means to facilitate financial inclusion and as a source of opportunities for all.

Summer vacation is the best time to include some fun and educational activities on financial literacy in children’s games. This way, almost without realizing it, little ones can learn basic concepts like saving and consumption that will be very useful to them in the future.

One would think that a good financial education, in and of itself, would be enough to properly plan for retirement. However, research conducted by the Mexican Association of Pension Fund Managers (AMAFORE) and supervised by Jean Paul Madrigal, reveals something more is needed. The BBVA Center for Education and Financial Capabilities awarded this retirement planning research project one of its inaugural BBVA EduFin Research Grants.

A large percentage of the Spanish population is not familiar with some basic financial concepts that are essential for making investment or borrowing decisions. This was one of the key takeaways shared by Pablo Hernández de Cos, Governor of the Bank of Spain, during his presentation at EduFin Summit 2019, the yearly leading global financial education summit organized by the BBVA Center for Financial Education and Capability.

BBVA city in Madrid has hosted the EduFin Summit 2019, the important world summit on financial education organized by the BBVA Center for Financial Education and Capability. Over 30 industry experts from 16 different countries attended this significant event, along with 250 attendees. Over two days, the participants have shared their knowledge and experience in digitalization and financial education as drivers to generate opportunities for everyone.

Flore-Anne Messy, the Head of the Insurance, Private Pensions and Financial Markets Division at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), views digitization as a source of opportunity and the best guide for financial institutions to design products that are increasingly customized and adapted to the needs of consumers and businesses. Messy is one of the most respected voices in the world for financial education. She will participate in the 2019 EduFin Summit, the financial education summit BBVA will hold in Madrid on July 11th and 12th.

The generation born between 1981 and 1994, known as Millennials, is reaching maturity in an ever-changing and very complex world where new technologies set the pace with increasingly sophisticated financial products and services. Today young people are looking for new sources of financial education to ensure they plan their finances properly.

BBVA Edufin Research Grants 2019 announces the financial education research proposals that will benefit from the envisaged funds in this second edition. A total of €50,000 will be distributed among the five shortlisted projects to support them in developing their social and innovative approach to the issues they address.

More than 265 million children are not enrolled in school;  22 percent are of elementary school age. Despite global advances made across a number of fields efforts addressing education need to be redoubled to ensure that no one is left behind. United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 is summarized under the heading: "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all." BBVA is contributing to this SDG with important international social education programs.

Darren Easton, Senior Director at the Center for Financial Services Innovation (CFSI), is one of newest members of the Center for Financial Education and Capability’s Advisor Council. Excited about this new role, Easton will bring his valuable knowledge in financial health, finance and communications to the Center.

There is no doubt that big data is transforming the financial industry, helping it overcome the challenges of today's society. Nonetheless, given the fact that one of its fundamental objectives is to obtain data — albeit to improve customer satisfaction —  it still causes some people to have misgivings because it is perceived as an intrusion of their privacy.

2018 was another year of commitment to financial education at BBVA. Over the year, the bank supported a variety of different programs and initiatives to help people get the financial skills and abilities they need to make informed decisions.

During March, millions of children and young people will learn how to manage their finances so they can take their economic well-being into their own hands and tap into better opportunities. How does it work? Through initiatives – activities and teaching materials – that have been kicked off for another year by campaigns promoted by Global Money Week (March 25-31) and European Money Week (March 25-29).

Beatriz Morilla, Head of CSR at the Spanish Banking Association (AEB), sees financial education as a fundamental tool to "fight poverty, reduce inequalities, promote gender equality and achieve greater health and well-being." From this global perspective, the AEB is working on the rollout of nationwide impactful actions and on securing support from the financial sector.

Japan and Spain, the countries with the world's highest life expectancies lag furthest behind when it comes to retirement planning, according to a study prepared by insurance company Aegon International. The experts warn about the enormous challenges posed by an aging population and the risks associated with not saving for the future.

Rolando Arellano Cueva is a renowned market expert specialising in developing countries, and is a member of the Advisory Board of the BBVA Centro para la Educación y Capacidades Financieras [Centre for Financial Resources and Education]. Throughout his lengthy career he has studied people’s natural tendency to constantly acquire goods, the consumer markets of Latin America, and the role that financial entities play in assisting with savings.

Promising yourself to save and end up throwing in the towel is a common thing so a little nudge from time to time is no bad thing. According to the report ‘Nudges for Financial Health: Global Evidence for Improved Product Design’ of Innovations For Poverty Action (IPA), the commitment mechanisms that financial institutions put in place to help their customers are an effective solution for achieving savings once and for all and improving financial health.

The European Investment Bank (EIB), together with the global data company YouGov, has published the first-of-its-kind citizens climate change survey revealing popular beliefs about climate change and its economic impact. The study, which involved 25,000 people in the European Union, the United States, and China, exposes the extent to which the general public is concerned about climate change and what it means to their bottomline.

Claudio González-Vega, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the BBVA Microfinance Foundation and member of the Advisory Board of BBVA’s Center for Financial Education and Capabilities, is one of the world’s leading voices in finance and development, especially in the field of microfinance. For him, financial education is a “vital tool for escaping the poverty trap.”

Olivier Guersent, the European Union's Director-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services, and Capital Markets claims individual investors would rather put their money into sustainable development projects, but they need the right skills. Financial education is a part of this empowerment.

William D. Nordhaus, winner of BBVA’s Frontiers of Knowledge Award, and Paul M. Romer have been awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize for their research on how climate change and technological innovation impact the economy. Their findings substantiate the vital role financial education plays in overcoming the challenges of an ever-changing world.

As managing director of the Center for Financial Inclusion at Accion and a member of the advisory board for BBVA's Center for Financial Education and Capability, Elisabeth Rhyne constantly faces the challenge of addressing financial inclusion worldwide, securing the protection of microfinance customers, and helping them achieve solid financial health.

The EduFin Summit comes round again and this time full of novelties. This year the event, organized annually by BBVA’s Center for Financial Education and Capability, will take place in Buenos Aires. Leading experts in the field of financial education will debate the challenges of the sector and the importance of financial behavior for the well-being of people.

The BBVA Center for Financial Education and Capability has selected the winning projects in its first Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI). The projects stand out because of their innovative nature and offer solutions to the challenges of financial education on a global level.

Having a good financial health means having both enough money to cover expenses and savings to face unexpected future events.  To know how to analyze it, the Center for Financial Services Innovation (CFSI) has identified, in a study published in the Center for Education and Financial Capabilities of BBVA, eight indicators that measure the state of people's financial health.

Everfi is a leading educational technology company that uses social games, videos, and animation among other tools to provide financial education to everyone, at any age, anywhere in the world.

Saving for retirement is a challenge, particularly when it’s far off. However it’s in your interest to plan for it to avoid stress and assure yourself adequate income when the time comes.

A year ago BBVA launched a project that reflects its commitment to financial education: the Center for Financial Education and Capability, whose goal is to foster knowledge in the area of financial education and inclusion.

Diana Mejía, a senior specialist in productive and financial development at CAF-Development Bank of Latin America and member of BBVA EduFin Advisory Council, is an expert in measuring the financial capabilities of people in Latin America. The results obtained  in the last CAF financial education surveys found a gap between the financial products offered and the needs of the population, especially in terms of savings.

Wim Mijs, CEO of the European Banking Federation and member of  Advisory Board for BBVA’s Center for Education and Financial Capability, has been working to promote financial education for many years now – first in the Netherlands and then throughout Europe. His efforts have been well received by the most important institutions in the finance industry and he’s building an ecosystem that breaks down barriers to foster knowledge.

How peoples’ behavior affects the economy and how their conduct can be educated so they can aspire to a better present and future wellbeing. That was the central idea of the panel Behavioral economics and financial education, moderated by Jorge Sicilia, director of BBVA Research. The participants included Josh Wright, executive director of Ideas 42; Carlos Ramírez, chairman of the National Commission for Retirement Savings of Mexico and Hugo Ñopo, senior researcher at the Group for the Analysis of Development (GRADE).

BBVA Executive Director José Manuel González-Páramo today closed the EduFin Summit in Mexico, which the bank organized. In his opinion, “we are at a key moment in the development of financial education”, due to the socioeconomic changes taking place, the growing complexity of financial products and the digital transformation of banking.

A beautiful 18th Century building houses the world´s first museum dedicated to explaining topics in economics, finance and sustainable development: The Interactive Museum of the Economy (MIDE). This institution, founded in 2008, has become a benchmark, because of its way of bringing the world of finance closer, in an entertaining and interactive way.

Edufin Summit 2017, the first annual meeting of the BBVA Center for Financial Education and Capability, has a packed agenda full of the sector’s latest trends. One of the most relevant topics at this summit will be behavioral economics, or in other words, how people’s behavior affects the economy.

Financial literacy is an essential skill for life. That is why the low results obtained in general by 15-year-old students in the PISA Report on Financial Literacy are cause for concern. Given this situation, it appears a good idea to analyze the country that is in 1st place in the ranking: What is China doing that others aren't?

BBVA Global Executive Chairman Francisco González, together with Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and OECD Secretary General Ángel Gurría, presented the 2015 PISA Report on Financial Literacy. According to the conclusions of the study, Spain sits below the OECD average. BBVA’s Global Executive Chairman called for “everyone to join forces to make progress in an issue that is so significant to people’s well-being” like financial education.