And now for some action

If your wallet could talk, what would it say about you? That’s just one of the questions the financial services industry has come up with to prompt women to talk about money.

At the start of this month the Financial Services Council (FSC) in conjunction with the Retirement Commission launched “It starts with action” — a three-month campaign specifically aimed at women.

The campaign involves financial companies ranging from banks to KiwiSaver providers, financial advisers and trustee companies talking about money to their women stakeholders — staff and clients — and a website (www. fsc.org.nz/it-starts-with-action) that aims to bust common myths.

Every fortnight there are different topics such as raising financially resilient kids, protecting what matters to you and retirement saving — culminating in a conference in July.

Richard Klipin, FSC chief executive, said the campaign’s success would depend on women taking action.

“I think in the end what will resonate is how many actions are being taken by women across Aotearoa to change their behaviour or habits, or reinforce the fact they are actually pretty good with money. They don’t need to be selfdoubting around the issues where they are actually in pretty good stead.”

Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson said women often related to money in different ways to men, and financial capability messages had not always resonated with them. “By focusing on women’s particular needs, in ways that will reach them, the sector will support women’s financial empowerment.”