VTB spoke about financial literacy at the All-Russian Youth Forum "Mashuk"

      On August 12, 2026, 15:44 Society VTB continues to work on social and educational initiatives for children and teenagers. The bank participated in the All-Russian Youth Forum "Mashuk," during which experts conducted events on financial security, measures to combat fraud, and also talked about the opportunities of the Pushkin Card. VTB experts held 3 events over 2 days of participation in the "Change Leaders" shift of the Federal Children's Public Council under the Commissioner for Children's Rights in the Russian Federation. Children's ombudspersons from various regions of Russia joined the lectures and practical sessions, as well as active young people who will work with teenagers across the country. In the first part, participants attended a lecture on the Pushkin Card and learned about its features, what events can be attended with the card, how to plan cultural leisure, and what results have been achieved since VTB became the program's operator bank. In the second part of the program, forum participants joined the practical session "VTB Open Office: Case Approach in Financial Security." The format was aimed at developing practical skills for safe behavior in the digital and financial environment. During the event, participants analyzed cases based on real-life situations related to financial fraud, assessed risks, and developed algorithms for safe behavior. Teams presented their solutions, and VTB experts provided feedback, noting strengths, mistakes, and the most effective strategies. In the third part, bank experts discussed with regional children's ombudspersons typical scenarios of involving teenagers in illegal financial schemes and approaches that help not only reduce risks but also build trust in adults and specialists, which is necessary for timely requests for help. In addition, experts talked about their program of in-person classes for children in orphanages and social institutions aimed at developing proper financial habits. "Financial literacy is not a set of rules for all occasions. It is, rather, an internal navigator that helps not to get lost in a world where digital services are developing rapidly, and fraudulent schemes, unfortunately, sometimes even faster. A teenager needs not only to use financial tools but also to understand the consequences of their decisions. It is important to be able to stop in time, verify information, notice risks, and not fall for the promise of easy profit. We want financial security to stop being an abstract topic from a textbook for kids and become an everyday habit. Ultimately, confidence begins not with knowing all the answers but with the ability to ask the right question," noted Dmitry Breitenbikher, Deputy President-Chairman of the VTB Management Board. "The financial security of teenagers today is not only a matter of knowledge but also of preventing situations in which a child can become a victim of deception or be involved in illegal schemes. Therefore, practical work is especially important: at 'Mashuk,' the kids analyzed real cases related to financial fraud and can now pass this experience on to their peers, while regional children's rights ombudspersons can apply the approaches learned in their work with teenagers. Special attention is given to children living in orphanages, social rehabilitation centers, and boarding schools: learning to recognize risks and understand whom to turn to for help. Starting in September, such classes will take place in 15 partner institutions of the Commissioner’s Office. It is important to make this work consistent and systematic—uniting the efforts of the state, socially responsible businesses, and NGOs," shared the opinion of Alexey Gazaryan, head of the Office of the Commissioner for Children's Rights under the President of the Russian Federation. The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is required. This resource may contain materials 18+.