{"id":164754,"date":"2024-05-06T15:19:24","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T19:19:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interac1.wpengine.com\/?post_type=content&p=164754"},"modified":"2025-06-11T12:28:28","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T16:28:28","slug":"national-volunteer-week-2024-building-financial-confidence-for-newcomers","status":"publish","type":"content","link":"https:\/\/www.interac.ca\/en\/content\/working-at-interac\/national-volunteer-week-2024-building-financial-confidence-for-newcomers\/","title":{"rendered":"National Volunteer Week 2024: Building financial confidence for Newcomers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For the third year in a row, Interac is hosting National Volunteer Week from April 15-19. We are focusing our efforts on our commitment to building financial confidence and bridging the gap in job opportunities for newcomers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As record number of immigrants arrive in Canada, scammers are targeting newcomers navigating an unfamiliar financial landscape. In a recent Interac survey,<\/a> we found only two in 10 (22 per cent) of newcomers polled strongly agreed they would know what to do if they were a victim of a financial scam, with nearly six in ten newcomers indicating being targeted makes them feel less financially confident.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, we hosted our first-ever Financial Confidence Summit, where 200 newcomers learned tips and resources to help stay in control of their money, protect themselves from fraudsters, and build their financial confidence through our Mindfulness & Money program<\/a> in partnership with Conscious Economics<\/a> and ACCES Employment<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mindfulness & Money is a free digital literacy program available to all ACCES Employment members. This foundational digital learning platform supports the development of financial wellbeing skills through the lens of mindfulness, to newcomers coast-to-coast.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To conclude the summit, we hosted a speed mentoring session where Interac employees offered career advice to attendees seeking employment in fintech. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our commitment to building financial confidence at Interac with Jeremy Wilmot, President & CEO, and Glenn Wolff, Group Head & Chief Client Officer<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Navigating, understanding, and adjusting to a very new way of life in Canada can be very intimidating, which is why financial education is so important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe recognize the challenges that accompany starting anew in a foreign country, which is why we collaborate closely with community partners like ACCES Employment to bridge the gap, whether it\u2019s increasing access to job opportunities or enhancing financial literacy skills,\u201d said Jeremy Wilmot, President & CEO. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As newcomers establish roots and potentially build a future for themselves and their families in Canada, it\u2019s essential they have the necessary tools to maintain control over their finances and cultivate financial confidence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Interac, we work with community partners to build financial confidence as new Canadians begin their journey. \u201cI knew I wanted to be part of an organization that had a direct positive impact on people\u2019s lives and the communities we serve,\u201d Glenn Wolff, Group Head & Chief Client Officer, said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fostering financial confidence among newcomers is core to our social impact commitments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Didn\u2019t get a chance to attend the summit? We\u2019ve got you covered with key learnings from the summit:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who are we and what do we do at Interac<\/strong><\/a> with Vanessa Thomas, Lead, Product Marketing, Interac Verified  <\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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As you get settled into Canada, getting to know how the country\u2019s financial system works can feel a little unfamiliar. Interac helps you transact digitally<\/a> using your own money from your bank account, as well as helping to provide convenient access to government and business services that require you to prove you are who you say you are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may be wondering \u2013 what is Interac and how can it help me? Here are a few tips. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n