Bank Pekao S.A. and the Universal Reading Foundation jointly invest in children's future by promoting the culture of reading

The beginning of the school year saw the launch of the "Reading Pays Off" educational campaign, which aims to help teachers and parents develop children's reading interests and financial education from the very first grade. Bank Pekao S.A. and FPC have joined forces in a joint project that encourages reading, fosters entrepreneurship, and the ability to safely use technology.

Reading is the foundation of education, not just in the humanities. This activity supports the development of future skills and helps understand new technologies. It also teaches independence, self-reliance, and entrepreneurship. Those who read are better able to navigate the world of finance, which is an important element of education.

That's why, as part of the collaboration, the title "Porwanie Pani Złotówki" (The Kidnapping of Mrs. Złotówki) was created, written by Justyna Bednarek, author of children's literature and required reading. A unique audiobook interpretation of the text was prepared by Edyta Jungowska, a renowned actress and narrator of children's stories. Soon, students from 1,000 first-grade classes who register for the campaign will receive their own hard copy of the book. Teachers will also be equipped with teaching and educational packages, including lesson plans and gadgets that will facilitate reading activities in the classroom. The project, for which recruitment has just begun, is not limited to a single solution – all materials are available online at: www.ratownicyczytelnictwa.pl/czytasięoplaca.

"At Bank Pekao, we believe that financial education should begin at an early age, which is why we are deeply committed to creating projects that introduce children and young people to the world of finances in a simple, friendly, and inspiring way. Our priorities are teaching practical skills and fostering independence and entrepreneurship in children, which will pay off in adulthood. It's best to start teaching children about saving as early as possible – through pocket money or through parents' subtle oversight of their child's finances via the Parent Panel in the app," says Tomasz Molenda, Director of the Retail Customer Segment Management Office at Bank Pekao S.A.

"It's crucial for us to support teachers and librarians in their work with children around reading as a pleasure that educates. This is the best way to develop conscious, independent, and empowered readers. A well-written, entertaining, and engaging story with a story about saving money is a great way to build linguistic, mathematical, and financial skills simultaneously. We're thrilled that such a powerful company is committed to shaping the right attitudes and competencies in young children, and that reading is used as a tool for building the foundations of development—because that's exactly how it is: a young child learns to read so they can then read to learn. Reading is a learning tool: there's no learning (including math or entrepreneurship) without reading," emphasizes Maria Deskur, president of the Universal Reading Foundation.

"Reading develops a wide range of skills, facilitating understanding of mathematics, economics, planning, and strategic thinking, including finance," says Jolanta Okuniewska, a teacher, coding and digital skills trainer, Global Teacher Prize finalist, and campaign ambassador.

The publication of the book and audiobook "Porwanie Pani Złotówki" (The Kidnapping of Mrs. Złotówki) is not Bank Pekao S.A.'s only financial education initiative for children. For years, the bank has been involved in activities supporting the development of children and teenagers, recognizing the importance of a conscious approach to money from an early age. Recent initiatives include the report "Finansowy świat dzieci" (Child's Financial World), which shows how young users navigate the world of finance. Thanks to the PeoPay KIDS app, they are becoming increasingly independent and aware of how to save and spend money wisely. To celebrate the 5th anniversary of Pekao PeoPay KIDS, a series of educational audiobooks, "Bajki Oszczędzajki" (Saving Fairy Tales), created in collaboration with Empik, was also prepared. They are available on the bank's YouTube channel, website, and in the Empik Go app. The adventures of Gośka and Jasiek, along with their extraordinary advisors, Złotówka, Żubr, and Fox, teach children in an accessible and engaging way how to wisely manage their pocket money, avoid the pitfalls of advertising, safely use their account cards, and cope with everyday temptations, represented by the characters Promcia and Zachciewajka.

Bank Pekao offers a comprehensive offering to young children that supports them at every stage of their financial journey. From the very first days of life, parents can open a Przekorzystne Account for their child along with a Mój Skarb savings account. Later, when the child is 6-12 years old, they can begin to embrace financial independence with the PeoPay KIDS Package, which includes a personal account, a savings account, an app, and a child's card.

The PeoPay KIDS mobile app for children teaches young children the basics of savings management in an engaging way – children choose their virtual guide: Fox, Bison, or Złotówka. Children learn by saving money in a piggy bank and can pay with BLIK both in-store and online after the parent has enabled this feature. Furthermore, children can explore the world of finances from a young age in an educational game. Everything happens under the watchful eye of parents, who, thanks to the Parent Panel, have full control over their child's finances – from opening products, to setting the allowance amount, deciding which app features the child can use, to managing daily card and BLIK limits, and, if necessary, quickly blocking the child's card and app.

Schools participating in the initiative will receive free packages in September, which will be used to organize reading activities in classrooms and enrich home libraries. The organizers of the "Reading Pays Off" campaign invite everyone to participate, use the available materials, and explore the world of books and finances.

More information can be found at:

Book: www.pekao.com.pl/ksiazka
Promotions for children: pekao.com.pl/promocje-dla-dzieci
Offer for children: pekao.com.pl/oferta-dla-dzieci
Parent panel pekao.com.pl/panel-rodzica