Global Money Week 2025

17-23 March 2025

“Follow wisely, prosper tomorrow! – 100 years of central banking in Albania!”

 

The theme announced by the OECD is “Think before you follow, wise money tomorrow”.

Participating Institutions and Organizations:

  • Bank of Albania
  • Ministry of Education and Sports
  • Deposit Insurance Agency
  • Albanian Association of Banks
  • Schools and universities

Involvement:
With the participation of 4,800 children and young people from all over the country and more than 160 schools at all levels and universities.

Money Week 2025 opened on March 17, 2025, with a ceremony organized at the premises of the Bank of Albania, under the inspiring theme “Follow wisely, prosperity in the future! – 100 years of central banking in Albania!” since this year also coincides with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Bank of Albania.

This ceremony was organized within the framework of Global Money Week, an initiative that is taking place for the 11th consecutive year, promoting financial education and awareness on the importance of money management from a young age, thus contributing to the growth of a healthy financial culture in Albania.

The event was welcomed by Mr. Gent Sejko, Governor of the Bank of Albania and Mr. Bledar Shella, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Albanian Association of Banks, who emphasized the importance of financial education for young people.

The event continued with the award ceremony for the winners of 5 competitions organized by the Bank of Albania and the Albanian Association of Banks on the occasion of Money Week. These competitions were supported by the member banks of AAB.

  • Competition for third grade students for the “Best Drawing”: Draw your banknote with the theme “100 years of the Bank of Albania, our central bank”. Over 600 drawings were submitted to the competition, made by students from 80 schools, of which 10 were declared winners. The competition was supported by the National Commercial Bank-BKT.
  • Competition for fourth grade students for the “Best Project” on the theme “100 years of the Bank of Albania, our central bank”. A total of 70 projects were submitted to the competition, made by about 2,300 students from 60 schools in the country. The competition was supported by Credins Bank.
  • Competition for eighth grade students for the “Best Photomontage” with the theme “Follow wisely, prosperity in the future! – 100 years of the central bank in Albania!”. The competition featured 155 photomontages, created by students from 70 schools across the country. The competition was supported by Raiffeisen Bank.
  • The “Best Video” competition for high school students on the topic “Follow wisely, prosperity in the future!”. A total of 75 videos were submitted to the competition, made by 100 students from 35 high schools in the country. The competition was supported by Union Bank.

The “Best Essay” competition on the topic “100 Years of the Central Bank in Albania: The Path to Stability and Economic Development”. A total of 8 works were submitted to the competition, made by students from 7 public and private universities in the country. The competition was supported by Tirana Bank.

AAB with its members of the Auxiliary Committee of Payments, Cards, Digitalization and Alternative Channels, Cyber ​​Emergency and Response Team, and ICT and IT Security Auxiliary Committee held open lectures in schools and universities.

The discussions focused on key topics such as the power of savings, security in the digital world, the risks of cyber threats, innovations in open banking and the latest trends in the banking sector. Through practical examples and direct interaction, participants were introduced to developments in the banking sector and gained valuable knowledge for their future.

AAB organized open lectures in seven different public and private universities involving around 435 students.

AAB visited below universities:

  • EPOKA University, attended by Mr. Lorenc Tabaku, Director of the IT Department and Mr. Fatjon Muca, Director of the Information Security Department at Fibank Albania.
  • Western Balkan University, attended by Mr. Reglend Xhango, Director of the Security Department, OTP Bank and Mrs. Entela Prifti, Director of the Security Division, Raiffesen Bank Albania.
  • Canadian Institute of Technology (CIT), attended by Mrs. Xhilda Shehu, Head of Mass Client Department, Intesa Sanpaolo Bank.
  • European University of Tirana, attended by Mrs. Odeta Paloka, Chief Operation Officer, ABI Bank.
  • Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana, attended by Mr. Spiro Brumbulli, Secretary General of AAB and Mrs. Elona Labinoti, Chief Operation Officer at Fibank Albania.
  • University of New York Tirana, attended by Ms. Irida Huta, Manager of the Digital Channels Department/Retail Banking Division at OTP Bank Albania and Ms. Jonida Kaçani, Deputy Director of the Supervision Department at Bank of Albania.

Workshop with HAKO sh.p.k “Financial Education for Working Women: Money Management and Access to Banking Services”

On March 19, 2025, the Albanian Association of Banks (AAB), organized a workshop on the topic “Financial Education for Working Women: Money Management and Access to Banking Services”.

This activity was held with the participation of employees of the company HAKO sh.p.k., creating a valuable space for discussion and sharing experiences on the importance of smart management of personal finances and access to banking products and services.

The workshop opened with the welcoming remarks of Mr. Spiro Brumbulli, Secretary General of the Albanian Association of Banks, and Ms. Antonela Hako, Executive Director (CEO) of HAKO sh.p.k. and at the same time President of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce. They emphasized the importance of women’s financial empowerment and the role that financial literacy plays in increasing economic independence and the ability to make informed financial decisions.

Representatives from ProCredit Bank, Ms. Erinda Ropi, Deputy Director in the Business Support and Digital Channels Department, and Ms. Nertila Lamçe, Unit Director in the Retail Department, presented a broad overview of banking products and services.

The discussions focused on the following issues:

  • Financing and lending opportunities for individuals and businesses, helping women understand the most appropriate options for their financial needs.
  • Savings and bank investments, promoting a culture of savings and long-term financial planning.
  • Digital services and their advantages, focusing on the conveniences offered by online banking platforms for managing personal and business finances.
  • Security in the use of digital banking services, with a special focus on preventing online fraud, risky financial schemes and protecting personal and financial data.

Participants had the opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences and discuss the challenges they face in managing finances and using banking services.

AAB remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote financial education and economic empowerment of women, creating more opportunities for their professional and personal development.

How to Protect Our Money from Fraud?

At a time when financial transactions and investments are becoming increasingly digital, raising awareness about financial security is essential. In this context, the AAB conducted a media appearance on the ABC NEWS channel, with experts in the field, on protection from financial fraud and security in digital banking.

The AAB expert panel included:

  • Irida Huta, Chairman of the Payments, Cards, Digitalization and Alternative Channels Auxiliary Committee, AAB
  • Reglend Xhango, Chairman of Cyber Emergency and Response Team, AAB
  • Blerina Tushe, Cyber Emergency and Response Team, AAB
  • Resmi Hibraj, Payments, Cards, Digitalization and Alternative Channels Auxiliary Committee, AAB.

Experts stressed the importance of implementing security measures in digital banking, including the use of advanced systems to protect user information and data. They also advised using licensed and secure services and not sharing personal information with unauthorized parties.

Raising awareness and knowledge is the first step in the battle against fraud and cybercrime. Protecting our money and data is a task that starts with us, and every small action can make a big difference.

The European Money Quiz is being held for the eighth time as a pan-European competition aimed at improving the financial literacy of students aged 13–15 years old. For many years, the quiz has involved thousands of children from 30 European countries.

The competition will be held in two phases.

The first phase includes the national competition of 8th and 9th graders who will compete online during a “livestream” activity, on the Kahoot! platform.

The national competition is organized by the Albanian Association of Banks with the support of the Bank of Albania and the Deposit Insurance Agency (ASD), approved by the Ministry of Education and Sports.

The National Final will be organized on April 10, 2025, at 1:30 PM, Livestream on the AAB YouTube channel.

In the second (European) phase, the winning team will compete by representing Albania in the European final of the Money Quiz that will be held on May 22-23, 2025 in Brussels, with physical participation.

Opening Ceremony of Money Week

Workshop with HAKO Company “Financial Education for Women at Work: Money Management and Access to Banking Services”

Open Lectures at Universities