Banking on Brighter Futures
Budgeting, saving, managing debt and spotting scams are essential life skills, but not everyone has the opportunity to develop them early in life. Thanks to a long-standing partnership between the University of Newcastle and Greater Bank, students are building the financial skills they need for the future.
📷 High school students can attend the Greater Bank Finance Lab for mini lessons to help build the financial skills they need for the future.
Since 2018, over 9,000 high school students from across the Hunter, Central Coast and regional New South Wales have participated in the Greater Bank Finance Academy. This free, online and face-to-face financial literacy education program is designed to help students in Years 9 to 11 increase their knowledge and decision-making skills around money.
Ambassadors from the Greater Bank, alongside students from the Newcastle Business School, deliver workshops on topics ranging from budgeting and saving to investing and cybercrime.
Reaching young people
- 43% of people aged 18-24 years reported they could not meet their personal debt obligations.1
- Almost 30% of high school student participants are in the 10% most disadvantaged socioeconomic areas of Australia.
This program enables University students to apply their studies, combining theoretical knowledge with practical examples to help young people plan for their futures.
“Learning financial literacy skills helps us manage our money, setting us up for a future where we don’t have to stress and we have time for the things we love,” says Scarlett, a student from the Hunter School of the Performing Arts.
We are exceptionally proud of our partnership with the University of Newcastle, which has been built on our shared values and our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality educational opportunities that empower students to reach their full potential. For many teens, saving for a car or earning money with a part-time job is often front of mind. Our program equips them with practical skills in saving, budgeting and credit to help set them up for success for years to come.”
Emma Dumbrill
Greater Bank Financial Literacy Ambassador
1 University of Newcastle Financial Wellbeing and General Life Satisfaction in Australia project report May 2022, with financial support by Greater Bank.
📷 Students from the Hunter School of the Performing Arts pictured with Newcastle Business School Senior Lecturer, Dr Caitlin Mollica (second from left), Financial Literacy Program Coordinator, Kathy Rimmer (second from right) and Greater Bank Financial Literacy Ambassador, Emma Dumbrill (far right), are proud to play a role in increasing financial literacy for young people.
Greater Bank Finance Lab
This successful partnership has also led to the establishment of the Greater Bank Finance Lab: a purpose-built, state-of-the-art teaching space located at the University’s Newcastle City campus. Designed for hands-on learning, the Lab features 20 workstations, large digital screens, and facilities that support remote teaching and collaborative research.
High school students can attend the Lab for mini lessons delivered by University Student Ambassadors. The Lab also supports University student learning by providing access to real-time and historical databases and market simulators. These tools allow them to test their classroom learning against the same kinds of tools used by investors and researchers globally, helping them be ‘tech-ready’ for digital futures.
“Joining the Greater Bank Finance Academy was an incredibly rewarding experience. It deepened my understanding of the critical importance of financial literacy for young adults, especially in today's economic climate with rising inflation. The experience truly opened my eyes to the lifelong benefits of starting financial education at a young age,” says Sarah Merrill, alumna and former University of Newcastle Finance Academy Student Ambassador.
Our partnership impact
- 73 high schools reached
- 250 workshops delivered
- 71 Greater Bank Financial Literacy Ambassadors
- 37 University of Newcastle Finance Academy Student Ambassadors
Together, these financial programs demonstrate what is possible when we partner to create meaningful, real-world learning experiences, build capability early and empower the next generation to make informed financial decisions.
Our aligned strengths in education and engagement, alongside our mutual commitment to ensuring a better future for our regions, laid the foundations for a strong partnership between the University of Newcastle and the Greater Bank. We are proud to play a role in increasing financial literacy within our communities, as well as providing our students with experiences that mean they are community-minded and ready for work upon graduating.”
Professor James Skinner
Dean
Newcastle Business School
To learn more about how your business can partner to support an area you are passionate about, please contact our team on 02 4921 8612 or email philanthropy@newcastle.edu.au.
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Contact
- Office of Philanthropy
- Phone: 02 4921 8612
- Email: donor-relations@newcastle.edu.au
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.