1. Financial Literacy Officers will be able to use the ‘Financial Literacy Handbook for Banks and Financial Institutions’ prepared by Bangladesh Bank to carry out financial literacy programs aimed at spreading financial literacy among people of different classes of professions in the light of the Financial Literacy Policy formulated by Bangladesh Bank.
2. Before conducting direct financial literacy programs, campaigns must be carried out at the local level and the time and place must be clearly mentioned. Activities can also take place on weekends. The supply of necessary manpower and other materials for the smooth conduct of the event should be ensured.
3. In view of Covid-19 or any such epidemic, arrangements should be made to hold the event in accordance with the rules and regulations of the local administration and in accordance with adequate hygiene.
4. Appropriate measures should be taken to ensure that women, the physically challenged and the elderly who are directly participating in the program are treated with care and their participation is unhindered.
5. A required number of Financial Literacy Information Forms (provided in Annex A of the said booklet) should be provided at the beginning of the event and necessary materials or assistance should be provided in filling the same. Before the end of the event, the completed form must be collected from everyone and saved for the future. The data collected should be sent along with the report of the financial literacy program to be sent to the Bangladesh Bank.
6. After completing each financial literacy program, the financial literacy officer will complete the assessment form given in Annexure ‘B’ of the same booklet after making an overall assessment on the relevant program. The completed form will be sent to the Bangladesh Bank along with the Financial Literacy Program’s Report.
7. The officer conducting the financial literacy program must be up-to-date on general banking issues. The Financial Literacy Officer may further consolidate the information / data in the booklet in accordance with his / her own knowledge, experience and existing policies and in the light of the needs or queries of the public. Practical and positive examples can also be presented, if necessary, in order to give people a clear idea.
8. People should be encouraged to adopt digital financial services as much as possible and financial literacy officers should be prepared accordingly.
9. People must be informed about consumer rights and consumer empowerment at every event.
10. In addition, according to the characteristics of the crowd (age, occupation, gender, etc.), they should be given priority in understanding the applicable financial products/services.
11. Prior approval of the local administration (if applicable) will be taken to organize events or programs on financial literacy: The local administration and prominent people should have the opportunity to participate directly. Apart from this, government and non-government organizations, NGOs or similar organizations with experience in providing financial literacy can also be connected. If necessary, financial literacy programs can also be conducted by participating in an event (such as a courtyard meeting) in conjunction with the local administration.
12. Considering that there is an opportunity to create new customers as a result of spreading financial literacy, banks and financial institutions have to be self-motivated in spreading financial literacy.
13. A bank or financial institution should create public awareness not by highlighting its specific financial products or services, but by giving an idea of the importance of financial planning in general and the issues related to conventional banking products / services. However, if any person / institution is interested in the financial products / services of a particular bank or financial institution, he / she can be given the necessary information / services at the end of the event.
14. If any discrepancy is found in the information or ideas mentioned in the booklet with the existing policy of Bangladesh Bank, the policy issued by Bangladesh Bank will take precedence.
15. During the event, the opportunity to open a bank account or receive scheme services for financial institutions can be kept at the venue (in a separate arrangement). But be careful not to interrupt the main event.
16. Bangladesh Bank will periodically inspect the financial literacy program on random basis.
