"Going to financial institutions can be like going to the dentist. Sterile environments which you don't want to spend time in for long. You feel as guilty for not keeping on top of your everyday, or lifelong, finances as you do when admitting to not flossing every day or not going to the dentist annually. However you put a fair amount of trust into the person you are seeing about personal concerns and they have the knowledge and skills in an industry you know little about."
This toolkit is for professionals working in the finance sector, it aims to help you engage more effectively with your women clients. There are a number of barriers that may prevent women from seeking out financial services, this toolkit aims to help you create a welcoming space that will encourage women to use and trust your services. You may want to read through the whole toolkit, or just choose the sections that are relevant to your work. Women & Money includes resources that you can use with your clients and links to other relevant information and organisations.
When should I use this toolkit?
This toolkit can be used as a general resource for you, or your staff, to understand the different issues that may affect women’s relationship to money. This will allow you to build trust with your clients and recognise the social issues that may be contributing to their financial situation.
There are also some specific times that this toolkit may be useful, for example if a client discloses that they are experiencing family violence including financial abuse. The toolkit will give you a practical guide on how you can best support clients in this situation as well as other organisations you can refer them to.
About us
Women & Money is a project of WIRE Women’s Information. WIRE is the only Victoria-wide free generalist information, support and referral service run by women for women.
Head to our website to find out more about what we do.
WIRE provides information and support to organisations wishing to improve their practices, policies and procedures that support women. For more information get in touch with Women & Money Project Manager Georgie Proud.