Views on the appropriate role of the private sector in the design and delivery of financial education differ.

For some, financial services providers are well placed to provide education to existing and potential customers. Others take the view that a conflict of interest exists and so the banking sector’s role should be, at most, secondary to national schemes.

The World Bank insists that any potential conflict of interest is properly recognized, because financial institutions may encourage policymakers to employ financial education in a manner designed to reduce or limit more effective consumer protection regulations.