Students from two schools in Antigua have received a hands-on experience in the world of banking. This experience was part of the outreach of a local bank as the banking fraternity observes its annual Financial Information Month under the auspices of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).
Financial Information Month (FIM) is a regional financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial education campaign executed in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) since 2002, through the collaborative efforts of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), ECCU member governments, financial and academic institutions, the media, other private and public sector institutions and community-based groups. The Month forms part of an ECCU financial and economic education programme coordinated by the ECCB.
The programme incorporates a series of initiatives designed to support the goal of “a financially developed and vibrant ECCU region that fosters strong and sustainable economic growth and the improved well-being of the citizenry.”
Last Wednesday 18th October, senior staff of CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank invited a group of students from the T.N. Kirnon School to tour the branch on Old Parham Road and held interactive discussions with them, not only about banking but also about the importance of school and obtaining a solid education.
On Thursday, bank staff visited the Clare Hall Secondary School and discussed a number of topics, including careers, reasons and requirements for having a bank account and general life skills.
During both interactions with the students, one student from each school won an account valued at EC$250.
This year’s Financial Information Month theme is Financial Empowerment through Education Area of Focus: “Wealth Creation for Financial Resilience.”
