30 September 2025

Suncorp Bank and Financial Basics Foundation Encourage Young People to Build Their Money Confidence

5 min read

Together with Financial Basics Foundation (FBF), Suncorp Bank is encouraging young people to feel more confident with spending, budgeting and saving.

The 2025 Suncorp Bank Earning, Saving, Spending and Investing (ESSI) Money Challenge recently concluded, with more than 6,900 students from 326 high schools across Australia putting their money skills to the test.

Hosted by the Financial Basics Foundation (FBF) and supported by Suncorp Bank, the free two-week ESSI Money Challenge competition provided secondary school students with practical money management skills through an immersive online simulation game. 

This year’s winners were recognised for outstanding achievements in financial literacy at both national and state levels, sharing in a total prize pool of $13,800. 

Karen Walsh, Executive General Manager Everyday Banking Suncorp Bank said, supporting the Challenge aligns with the bank’s commitment to financial wellbeing. 

“We are honoured to support this initiative and to see young Australians engaging with money management skills and building their financial literacy. Education is the foundation for smart financial decisions, and it’s excellent to witness this year’s results.” 

 

Post-Challenge surveys from young people who participated in the ESSI Money Challenge revealed: 

  • 71% improved their understanding of financial services such as bank accounts, credit cards, bill payments, and automatic transfers. 
  • 69% felt more confident and optimistic about making their own financial decisions. 
  • 72% reported increased interest in actively managing their money. 

To further support financial literacy among young Australians, Suncorp Bank recently launched two new social media campaigns aimed at helping to build money confidence.

The campaigns feature a variety of videos and marketing assets, promoted across both owned and paid channels, covering relatable themes designed to help everyday Australians improve their financial literacy.

Suncorp Bank has been a proud partner of the Financial Basics Foundation since 2017.

FBF is a non-profit organisation that has been providing free, high-quality financial literacy resources to students, teachers, and communities for over 20 years.