Digital Generation Encouraged to Manage Finances and Access Financing More Wisely
The growing integration of digital financial services into the daily lives of young people underscores the critical importance of strengthening financial literacy from an early age. As technological adoption accelerates, students are recognised as needing adequate understanding of personal financial management and responsible use of online lending services.
This concern formed the centrepiece of an educational forum titled “Money Moves: Smart Ways to Manage Finances in the Digital Era” held at the Faculty of Economics and Business Auditorium, Hasanuddin University (FEB Unhas), Makassar, on Thursday, 21 May. The event was a collaboration between BantuSaku, the Indonesian Fintech Lending Association (AFPI), the Financial Services Authority’s South Sulawesi and West Sulawesi office, fintech lending companies UATAS and PinjamDuit, and Tribun Timur newspaper.
The forum attracted approximately 150 undergraduate and postgraduate students from FEB Unhas who gained insights into personal financial management, the importance of identifying licensed and authorised lending services, and the responsible use of digital financing options.
Students are viewed as a transitional group moving towards economic independence and therefore require financial education early. With increasingly easy access to digital financial services, the ability to manage finances and make sound financial decisions is considered essential preparation for young people.
BantuSaku Chief Executive Officer Arnoldyth Rodes Medo stated that students represent a generation that has grown alongside technological and digital financial service development. For this reason, understanding healthy financial management is crucial so young people can make wise financial decisions whilst responsibly utilising digital financing services.
Medo added that improving financial inclusion must progress in tandem with strengthening public education, particularly among young people as active users of digital services. Through collaboration with regulators, industry associations, and educational institutions, financial education is expected to reach more young people.
Beyond personal financial management, the forum also addressed the need for public understanding of differences between legal and illegal lending services amid fintech lending industry growth. Education regarding risks, repayment responsibilities, and using loans for productive purposes is considered vital in building a healthy and sustainable digital financial ecosystem.
Collaboration among regulators, industry associations, fintech lending operators, and universities is viewed as a strategic step to broaden financial education reach whilst strengthening financial inclusion in Indonesia.
Attendees included FEB Unhas Deputy Dean for Planning and Resources Prof. Syamsuddin, OJK South Sulawesi and West Sulawesi Senior Assistant Manager for Behavioural Supervision, Education and Consumer Protection Inci M Darmawan, AFPI Public Policy Advocacy and Complaint Handling Lead Raymas Putro, UATAS Business Development Director Shintya Maulida, PinjamDuit Head of Commercial and Relations Vivi Linda, and Financial Planner Wawan Darmawan. The discussion was moderated by FEB Unhas lecturer Dr A Nur Bau Massepe.