KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- Since its inception in 2017, the Financial Industry Collective Outreach (FINCO) has seen over 1.6 million students benefiting from its educational initiatives, trained over 17,000 teachers and engaged 2,200 volunteers, due to its wide-reaching network of support through the financial industry.
Guided by Bank Negara Malaysia, FINCO’s collaborative approach is supported by over 110 financial institutions, channeling the resources of the financial industry into high-quality and inclusive initiatives which align with key national agendas in education, fostering future-ready students.
This enables the financial industry to create collective impact at scale and avoid duplication of effort, as they work towards achieving social and financial inclusion in line with the sector’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.
“Our partnership-driven approach leverages the financial industry’s collective expertise to expand access to meaningful educational opportunities for students from low-income families.
“This shared effort enables FINCO to design evidence-driven and scalable programmes that improve opportunities and outcomes, demonstrating the power of collective action in closing opportunity gaps and helping build a resilient, sustainable workforce prepared for evolving demands,” FINCO’s Chairman, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, commented on the organisation’s unique model.
“I am now saving RM5 every day and doing my best to achieve my goal of saving RM200 every month for future use,” said 17-year-old Sushmithaa A/P Ananthan from SMK Bandar Tasik Selatan, after participating in FINCO’s Ringgit Rules workshop
Ringgit Rules is just one of the programmes that FINCO runs in schools to achieve its goal of bridging the educational gap, providing underprivileged children and youth with the guidance and tools necessary to access further education, secure decent work, and achieve long-term financial wellbeing.
The organisation’s programmes demonstrated remarkable success across its four strategic pillars in 2025:
- English Proficiency: 98% of students in the programme showed improvement in English proficiency, with 92% of teachers applying new reading and critical thinking strategies.
- Life Aspiration: 90% of students implemented learnings from the pillar’s programmes to make informed choices about their post-SPM pathway.
- Financial Literacy: 96% of students who participated in FINCO’s Good SENS programme for primary school students were able to apply financial management skills in real-life situations.
- Disaster Relief: 3,250 students benefitted through disaster relief channelled to their families or schools.
“Underserved students in Malaysia need targeted support to reach their full potential. By focusing on these key areas, we ensure that students are equipped with the relevant skills to navigate barriers, make informed choices about their future, and manage financial resources responsibly,” said FINCO’s CEO, Clare Walker.
The organisation remains committed to expanding its reach and impact to ensure every Malaysian youth has the opportunity to pursue meaningful careers and achieve their life goals.
About the Financial Industry Collective Outreach
The Financial Industry Collective Outreach (FINCO) is a collaborative initiative pioneered by financial institutions in Malaysia with the guidance of Bank Negara Malaysia to provide underprivileged children and youth with the guidance and educational tools they need to achieve their life goals. FINCO seeks to achieve these objectives through inclusive educational initiatives under four strategic pillars - English Proficiency and Life Aspiration, Financial Literacy and Disaster Relief.
Communications and Event Manager, FINCO