People First Bank backs First Nations financial literacy
People First Bank has announced a two-year partnership with First Nations Foundation to expand financial literacy and empowerment initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The agreement brings together People First Bank and the Indigenous financial wellbeing organisation to support practical financial education, educator training, and community-based Financial Wellness Outreach events across Australia. First Nations Foundation works to strengthen financial literacy and long-term prosperity for First Nations peoples through programs designed to support financial wellbeing.
Key Points
- People First Bank marked National Reconciliation Week with a new partnership
- Two-year agreement supports financial literacy and empowerment across Australia
- First Nations Foundation programs include My Money Dream and outreach
- Support includes curriculum development and digital platform improvements
- Educator training and facilitator capability will be strengthened
- Bank employees will join outreach with practical banking guidance
Partnership deepens financial literacy efforts
Wiradjuri and Ngiyampaa woman and First Nations Foundation CEO, Leah Bennett, said the support would help strengthen financial education for communities, and emphasised the Foundation’s focus on delivery that aligns with community priorities.
“First Nations Foundation’s financial education programs — headlined by our flagship community initiative, Financial Wellness Outreach — are rooted in fairness, equality, and accountability,” she said.
The agreement establishes a platform for a broader relationship focused on accessible financial literacy. She said the partnership represents a meaningful investment in First Nations financial wellbeing and is intended to build a culturally informed collaboration grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision for making financial literacy programs and resources accessible, approachable, and empowering.
Programs and support over two years
Under the partnership, People First Bank will support several of the Foundation’s established initiatives, including:
- My Money Dream, an online financial literacy program
- Train the Trainer, to build local financial education capability
- Financial Wellness Outreach events delivered in communities
People First Bank Chief Customer Officer, Maria-Ann Camilleri, said the Foundation’s record in practical financial literacy made it an ideal partner. She framed the collaboration as aligned with the bank’s Reconciliation Action Plan and focused on long-term community outcomes.
“Our Reconciliation Action Plan vision is to help empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with financial knowledge and capability, to help spark positive change for individuals and for their communities,” she said.
The partnership will also create opportunities for People First Bank employees to participate directly in community outreach activities. Those activities will include support for financial wellbeing conversations and practical banking guidance where communities identify a need.
Outreach, capability and long-term focus
The collaboration is designed to bolster the Foundation’s community-facing work while building sustainable, locally led capability. Through My Money Dream, Train the Trainer, and Financial Wellness Outreach, the partnership centres on accessible financial literacy that can be scaled and adapted for diverse communities. The explicit focus on curriculum, platforms, and educator development is intended to improve delivery and strengthen the pathway from knowledge to practical application.
