Bermuda’s drive to boost financial literacy is gaining momentum, with industry leaders stressing that education is a continuous journey.

“It's a key point for us at stock exchanges. So, I don't think Bermuda is an outlier. It's just like any education, right? It's like AI, when you have to learn it. And we as stakeholders have to make that learning available,” said Greg Wojciechowski, chief executive of the Bermuda Stock Exchange, which is hoping to lead the conversation among its peers internationally.

“Investor education creates a virtuous circle: the more people know, the more analysis they can do, and the more willing they are to invest and save,” Mr Wojciechowski explained.

The remarks came as BSX hosted its annual “Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy 2025” Friday, in partnership with Butterfield, as part of the global World Investor Week 2025 campaign — an initiative of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions and the World Federation of Exchanges.

The worldwide effort unites more than 50 exchanges to spotlight the importance of investor protection and financial literacy.

“This year, BSX partnered with Butterfield to highlight the bank’s recent financial education initiative,” the exchange said in a press statement.

Earlier this year, Butterfield and Nudge, a global leader in financial wellbeing, launched an online learning platform designed to help people understand their finances, manage risk and make informed decisions.

The platform delivers personalised, impartial education through four life stages — children, young adults, middle adults and seniors.

Butterfield also runs in-person workshops for college and university students on budgeting, saving and responsible money management, and for seniors on fraud prevention.

“BSX is proud to once again participate in IOSCO’s World Investor Week and the WFE’s global Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy initiative,” Mr Wojciechowski said in a press statement. “Financial literacy is about more than money — it’s about giving our community the tools to thrive and make educated investment decisions.

“We are pleased to partner with Butterfield to support education and awareness that strengthens confidence in financial markets locally and globally.”

For BSX, spreading financial knowledge lays the foundation for a strong economy.

“As knowledge grows, more money and resources flow into the system,” Mr Wojciechowski explained. “It’s critical at a fundamental level. Investors need to know exactly what they’re investing in and how to monitor those investments and manage their finances so they can save.”

Jody Feldman, Butterfield’s managing director in Bermuda, added in a statement: “Butterfield is committed to supporting community financial health and improving financial literacy through meaningful learning opportunities. We were delighted to join BSX’s ‘Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy’ event.”

Mr Wojciechowski said efforts like the Nudge financial wellness programme fit into the exchange’s long-term strategy.

“Nudge is a great example of that, where they're saying, OK, well, we're going to teach you this and this,” he said. “Investor protection will teach you about questions to ask your broker who is going to represent you when you trade.”

Ultimately, he emphasised the need for persistence. “You’re not going to reach everyone at once. Sometimes the effort seems repetitive, but you have to keep doing it because it’s so important to the foundation of the market.”

Andrew Masters, Butterfield’s vice-president of group and Bermuda marketing, said the bank’s approach focuses on long-term empowerment rather than simple definitions.

“We've been calling it financial wellbeing because literacy feels a bit binary. You're either literate or illiterate, whereas wellbeing is more of a journey.”