Westpac PNG trained 9,013 people across Papua New Guinea in the 2026 financial year through 67 sessions, helping students, communities and small businesses strengthen budgeting, saving, money management and business planning skills, according to the bank.
The bank said it delivered 109 hours of financial literacy education through face-to-face sessions, webinars and regional outreach, extending training from Port Moresby to Goroka and other locations across the country.
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Women accounted for 53 per cent of participants, while men represented 47 per cent.
The program reached a broad cross-section of Papua New Guineans, including students, youth and church groups, community organisations, employees, corporate customers and small businesses.
Participants developed practical skills in budgeting, saving, managing money and business planning, including through Westpac’s Financial Basics for My Business training.
Westpac Pacific Head of Corporate Affairs, Marketing and Community Rachel White in a statement said the financial year 2026 results demonstrated the opportunity to make 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 program 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,” Ms. 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.”
During the first quarter of FY26, 1,072 people participated in 18 training sessions, including school and corporate customer sessions. Financial First Steps and Financial Basics for My Business were delivered through face-to-face and virtual formats.
Westpac also improved its training resources, participant tracking, testimonials and impact reporting during FY26 to strengthen program delivery and measure its effectiveness.
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The bank’s free financial literacy program has operated across the Pacific since 2007, providing education, resources and tools designed to improve financial knowledge and confidence.
Westpac PNG said it would continue expanding the program’s reach among communities and businesses, helping more Papua New Guineans gain practical financial skills.