Company: HALKBANK
Nomination Submitted by: Business Awards Consulting
Company Description: Halkbank has become one of the steadily growing, well-established, pioneering and respected brands of emerging Turkey, which established in 1938 to support tradesmen, SMEs and to accelerate permanent economic development. Pioneering the development of the Turkish banking sector for 83 years, Halkbank continues its mission of supporting the real sector
Nomination Category: Product & Service Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Financial Services
 Nomination Title: Halkbank Children's Banking
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the the nominated new or new-version product or service, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: If this is a brand-new product, state the date on which it was released. If this is a new version of an existing product, state the date on which the update was released:
The application was launched on April 23, 2023, coinciding with National Sovereignty and Children's Day.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Describe the features, functions, and benefits of the nominated product or service (up to 350 words):
Total 350 words used.
Founded in 1938 with the mission of supporting the entire society, especially tradesmen and SMEs, Halkbank stands out as one of the country's well-established and reputable brands that has grown steadily by pioneering the development of both the banking sector and the national economy in its 86-year history.
Financial literacy, which means having basic financial knowledge and ability and competence to use this financial knowledge to make correct financial decisions, is critically important for investors to better evaluate financial risks and opportunities, make more informed choices, and consequently increase financial well-being. An individual's ability to follow and understand financial developments is only possible by improving their level of financial literacy.
It is equally important to start teaching financial literacy early, especially to children. By educating children about savings and introducing them to financial management concepts, Halkbank equips them with the skills they need to make sound financial decisions throughout their lives. This early education fosters responsible financial behavior, encourages the habit of saving, and provides a foundation for understanding more complex financial concepts as they grow. Recognizing this, Halkbank has launched the "Halkbank Children's Banking" app to support the financial education of young individuals and to promote a culture of savings from an early age.
Turkey ranks low globally in terms of financial literacy. According to a study by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) involving 150,000 people from 144 countries, Turkey ranked 120th in financial literacy. More comprehensive research conducted in Turkey over the years shows that the financial literacy rate is around 50%. The most notable finding of the 2021 study is the financial literacy rate among individuals who engage in investment transactions. Level of knowledge about investments among these individuals was found to be 61%, their basic financial knowledge level was 63%, and their rate of following financial news was 71%. This shows that more than one-third of investors in Turkey do not have sufficient financial literacy to make informed investments.
To increase the level of financial literacy, it is essential to invest in children's financial literacy first. With this perspective, Halkbank has launched "Halkbank Children's Banking" app.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Outline the market performance, critical reception, and customer satisfaction with the product or service to date. State monetary or unit sales figures to date, if possible, and how they compare to expectations or past performance. Provide links to laudatory product or service reviews. Include some customer testimonials, if applicable (up to 350 words):
Total 297 words used.
The application was launched on April 23, 2023, coinciding with National Sovereignty and Children's Day. Halkbank Children's Banking aims to teach children about sustainability, financial literacy skills, and financial management from a young age, fostering environmentally conscious and economically aware individuals who contribute to the national economy.
The App is being developed in phases and is continually enriched with innovations that contribute to the personal development of children. Children can view their accounts, request allowances, withdraw money using QR codes, watch content specially prepared for them with pedagogical suitability, easily access information such as the nearest ATMs, and play games available within the app.
The Halkbank Child Banking application is a pioneering app designed specifically for children in Turkey. It stands out with its content tailored for children and its pedagogical suitability, while also incorporating features common to many banking apps, such as account activity and basic financial transactions. This combination enriches children's financial management and literacy through gamified content.
One of the app's most prominent features is its contribution to sustainability awareness. Through the games available in the app, children are educated about sustainability and become more conscious of zero waste practices.
The two games featured in the app aim to raise awareness about zero waste, environmental consciousness, and health. In the Health Game, children combat germs, while in the Clean Environment game, they sort collected trash to provide electricity to towns.
Additionally, in the Interplanetary Travel section of the app, children must watch videos containing tasks designed with pedagogical sensitivity and behavioral codes, answer questions accordingly, and purchase necessary items with the Halk Stones they earn from correct answers. When all criteria are met, the flight to the next planet begins.
The Halkbank Child Banking application is being continually enhanced with new features every day.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 130 words used.
Apx1-Video: Halkbank Children’s Banking App
https://youtu.be/nrGbwttwlA8
Apx2-Video: Halkbank Children’s Banking Commercial for First Launch
https://youtu.be/tctMScbjP9g
Apx3-Document: Project info
Apx4-Video: Halkbank Kids Penny Banks Film
https://youtu.be/_hsGr_EIB3I
To support children's financial literacy, Halkbank has introduced the Halkbank Child Penny Banks, which are made more engaging through the "Heroes of the People" project. This project combines popular Turkish cultural characters—Karagöz & Hacivat, Nasreddin Hoca, and Keloğlan—with stories to teach values like saving, sharing, and friendship. Metal piggy banks featuring these characters are given to children, who can earn rewards by filling and returning them to Halkbank branches. The project also included a story competition involving Halkbank employees and their families, with winning tales turned into audiobooks and animation videos accessible via QR codes on the penny banks.
| Attachments/Videos/Links: |
|---|
|
