Bank of Ireland UK launches Personal Finance programme for Bristol students

24 June 2019

Francesca McDonagh in Bristol

Francesca McDonagh, Group Chief Executive, Bank of Ireland was in Bristol today to launch a 3 year programme of Personal Finance Days at Merchants’ Academy in Bristol to help prepare students for the future.

The Bank held its inaugural Personal Finance Day at the Academy in February for more than 100 Year 10 pupils – giving an overview of personal finance, financial fitness, products and services, the cost of living, budgeting and managing money.

Following its success, the Bank has now given a 3 year commitment to run more events for students who will also be given a supporting ‘Guide to Personal Finance’ booklet, which covers spending, saving, different types of accounts, pensions, loans, employment contracts and keeping safe online.

Francesca McDonagh, Group Chief Executive Bank of Ireland, said:
“Like any good habit, it’s never too early to encourage financial awareness. That’s why Bank of Ireland supports financial literacy for young people through free financial and enterprise programmes.

“Developed by financial experts and facilitated by dedicated staff, we are pleased to offer these Personal Finance programmes to schools across Ireland and the UK. We hope the information shared at our events will help give students the best start in life, and enable our customers, colleagues and communities to thrive. “

Bank of Ireland has a long-standing relationship with Merchants’ Academy. Each July, the Bank offers work experience placements across a range of disciplines to give students a real taste of working life and help them develop key employability skills such as communication, problem solving and teamwork. The programme has been a huge success with two ex-students, Angus Fergusson and David Wilkins, going on to work full time at the Bank’s offices in Temple Quay, Bristol.

Vicki Starkie, Vice Principal at Merchants’ Academy, said:
“We know that an issue for our young people is a lack of financial awareness. Not only can this impact on how they manage their money each day, but it can also mean they don’t take full advantage of opportunities in the future.

“We recognise that having financial knowledge is a very important life skill and we’re thrilled that BOI UK has committed to hosting future Personal Finance Days. The support BOI UK gives to the students is priceless and highlights the inspiring community spirit here in Bristol – a community that looks after its own and cares for each other.”

Sue Greenwood-Jones, who leads the Bank’s relationship with Merchant’s Academy, said:
“Our Personal Finance Day is an interactive session aimed at giving students the knowledge, skills and confidence to make informed financial decisions and prepare them for success after they leave school.

“We were really pleased with how well our first event went and are delighted that we can give more students the opportunity to learn more about personal finance. “

BOI UK also runs school assemblies at Merchants’ Academy to raise awareness of work experience, CVs, job applications and mock interviews and sponsors The Bank of Ireland Innovation and Creativity Award. In addition, the Bank has invited more than 320 pupils into its Temple Quay office to learn about the wide range of roles and understand the qualifications needed.

ENDS

For further information or to arrange an interview please contact:

Sara Holland, Head of UK Communications, Bank of Ireland UK
sara.holland@boi.com / 07831 718436

Tara Meakins, Cicero Group
tara.meakins@cicero-group.com / 020 7947 5315

Notes to Editors:

Bank of Ireland has supported customers in the UK for over 200 years, and employs c.1,800 employees

Bank of Ireland operates primarily in the UK through its wholly owned and separately incorporated subsidiary, Bank of Ireland (UK) plc, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Supporting over c.3 million customers, Bank of Ireland UK comprises:

  • An established financial services partnership and foreign exchange joint venture (FRES) with the Post Office.
  • A long term partnership with the AA, which brings competitive financial services products to nearly 4 million AA members
  • A successful UK Mortgage business
  • A growing UK car, asset finance and leasing business, under the Northridge Finance and Marshall Leasing brands
  • A full service retail and commercial bank in Northern Ireland