Visa-supported Student Financial Literacy Programme Engages Nearly 20,000 GBA Youth in Fintech and Sports Tourism, as Financial Education Enters School Curriculum

07/14/2025

• The inclusion of financial education in the Secondary 1 to 3 Citizenship, Economics and Society curriculum from 2024/25 academic year underscores the impact of ongoing efforts to promote financial literacy, an achievement reinforced by the continued momentum in the past years.
• Over 19,800 unique participants from over 300 schools across the Greater Bay Area join the 11th edition of the Hong Kong Financial Literacy Championship, marking a nearly 10% rise year-on-year and notable growth in junior secondary student participation.
• This year’s challenge prepares financial talents to shape the future of the region’s economy by linking financial literacy with the spirit of the National Games.

 

Visa, a global digital payment leader, proudly celebrated the conclusion of the 11^th Hong Kong Financial Literacy Championship (‘Championship’), the largest student competition of its kind in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Organised in collaboration with the Education Bureau, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, and supported by Visa, the Championship equips students with the essential financial knowledge, practical money skills, and entrepreneurial values to unlock their potential as future leaders in finance. Over the past 11 years, it has reached 92% of secondary schools in Hong Kong and continues to expand its footprint across the GBA.

This year’s Championship prepared students to navigate a rapidly changing financial landscape shaped by AI and fintech. A key focus was the business case competition under the Young Financial Talent Runway (‘Runway’), which tasked students with using fintech solutions to drive sustainable economic growth by enhancing sports tourism in their cities, in support of the upcoming 15^th National Games. The pitch invited students to explore real-world applications while aligning with the GBA’s economic and policy priorities.

“For 11 years, Visa has championed financial education as a powerful way to unlock young people’s potential across the Greater Bay Area, equipping them with the skills to thrive in a digital economy” said Paulina Leong, General Manager of Visa Hong Kong and Macau.  “We are encouraged to see financial education now formally included in the junior secondary curriculum – an important milestone that validates the efforts of many and strengthens our resolve to keep driving financial literacy forward. To bridge academic learning with real-world innovation and reflecting our belief that sport transcends boundaries and unites people, this year’s Championship theme focuses on reshaping industries such as sports tourism. By connecting students with our community of Visa partners as mentors, we're not only preparing future leaders – we are also fostering knowledge exchange and friendships amongst students across the GBA.”

 

Empowering youth through financial knowledge and real-world mentorship

The 2025 Championship consisted of two components: a 3-week online financial knowledge quiz, and a Young Financial Talent Runway (‘Runway’) which offered students hands-on learning through career skills training, mentorship from industry leaders, corporate visits, and a Grand Pitch involving 10 finalist teams representing schools from across the region. A clear reflection of its popularity, the Runway saw a significant expansion with submissions from 70 to over 100 teams this year.

The mentorship programme also returned this year with a refreshed and strategically expanded lineup of mentors, with Visa playing a key role in connecting students to experienced professionals across diverse industries. In addition to traditional finance sectors, new mentors represented industries such as aviation, travel, non-profit sectors, and sports administration—sectors closely tied to this year’s Grand Pitch topic on sports tourism and sustainable economic growth.

The 10 participating industry professionals (in alphabetical order) came from Air New Zealand, DBS (Hong Kong) Limited, Global Payments Asia Pacific Limited, HKIA Services Holdings Ltd, HSBC, Klook, MTR, Ronald McDonald House Charities Hong Kong, The Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners and The Football Association of Hong Kong, China, and ZA Bank. By evolving the mentor network to reflect timely themes and regional priorities, the programme offers students not only practical exposure but also broader perspectives on how financial innovation intersects with everyday life.

 

Future financial talents reimagine the future of sports tourism and city growth

The Grand Pitch demonstrated the programme’s core mission, with students applying fintech knowledge to address real-world challenges. The team from Minxin Hong Kong School (Guangzhou Nansha) won the champion title in the Young Financial Talent Runway, with their innovative proposal—a gamified ticketing platform integrating blockchain payments and task-reward mechanisms to revolutionise Guangzhou’s sports tourism experience, earning high praise from the judges. Meanwhile, the team from St. Paul's Convent School secured first runner-up with their motorsports-themed project, which leverages digital token system, biometric ticketing, and NFC-enabled payment wristbands to build a fintech-powered sports event ecosystem. Additionally, Diocesan Girls' School came in as second runner up for their AR-enhanced immersive cycling tour concept that integrates multiple payment options, incentive programmes, and anti-fraud measures—promoting community fitness while stimulating the economic growth of local small and medium-sized enterprises.

 

Supported by Visa for the 11th consecutive year, the Hong Kong Financial Literacy Championship welcomed over 180 students and teachers from Hong Kong, Macau and other GBA cities. The event drew more than 30,000 student submissions in total.

 

Organised by the Hong Kong Economic Journal Education in collaboration with the Education Bureau, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and other key industry partners, with support from Visa, the Championship has been driving financial literacy among youth for the past 11 years. 

From left to right: Elaine Siu, Senior Manager, St. James’ Settlement, Paulina Leong, General Manager of Visa Hong Kong and Macau, Dr. Tenny Lam, Executive Director, Hong Kong Education City (EdCity), Paul Lee, Acting Principal Education Officer (Curriculum Development), Education Bureau, Vincent Teng, Chief Editor, Hong Kong Economic Journal, View Ho, Deputy General Manager, Hong Kong Economic Journal Education, Patrick Li, Senior Manager (Education and Publicity), Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Betty Lee, Project Officer (Life Planning Education), Education Bureau, Annie Cheng, Head of Corporate Communications, Greater China, Visa

 

10 seasoned professionals from diverse sectors in Hong Kong joined the Young Financial Talent Runway, offering mentorship and practical guidance to shortlisted teams as they refined their business plans and presentation strategies.

 

The student team from Minxin Hong Kong School (Guangzhou Nansha) won the champion title in the Young Financial Talent Runway Grand Pitch.

 

The student team from St. Paul's Convent School was the first runner-up in the Young Financial Talent Runway Grand Pitch.

 

The student team from Diocesan Girls' School was second runner-up in the Young Financial Talent Runway Grand Pitch.

 

About the Championship

The Hong Kong Financial Literacy Championship is a collaborative effort of the HKSAR Education Bureau, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Hong Kong Education City, St. James' Settlement, and Hong Kong Economic Journal Education. Supported by prominent corporations, banks and financial institutions, this Championship offers informative sessions that lay the foundation for students' understanding of financial skills and the digital and sustainable economy. The Championship has been awarded the Investor and Financial Education Council’s Investor and Financial Education Gold Award twice in three years.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.