The JA Personal Finance program, a collaboration between JA Philippines and Wells Fargo Philippines, has earned a Bronze at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.
This recognition highlights the program’s innovative, community-driven approach to financial literacy education.
“This recognition is a powerful reminder of what can happen when education and real-world experience come together,” said Krishna Alejandrino, Executive Director of JA Philippines.
“Financial literacy gives young people a sense of control over their future. Through partners like Wells Fargo Philippines, we are helping them take those first steps with purpose,” she added.
Now in its third year, the initiative equips Senior High School students with vital financial skills, including budgeting, saving, and responsible credit use.
This school year alone, it reached over 32,000 students and 1,200 teachers across 324 public schools in Metro Manila. Students apply learnings through business simulations, with examples including a successful milk tea venture and a financial roadmap for a community bakery.
The program also received a Regional Partnership Award from the Department of Education, recognizing its contribution to strengthening financial education in public schools.
Central to the JA Personal Finance program’s impact are Wells Fargo employee volunteers. Over the past year, 46 Wells Fargo employees served as classroom mentors and speakers, directly engaging students.
“This program reflects something we believe strongly at Wells Fargo: that giving back creates real, lasting value—not just for communities, but for our people as well,” said Mike Whyte, Country Head of Wells Fargo Philippines.
“We are proud to support this initiative, and even prouder that so many of our team members stepped forward to be part of it,” he added.
