Two Maltese students represented Malta at the 2025 European Money Quiz, Europe's largest financial literacy competition for 13- to 15-year-olds, organised by the European Banking Federation (EBF). Their participation in the Brussels finals was fully sponsored by the Malta Bankers' Association (MBA).
Thea Muscat, a student from St Nicholas College Dingli Secondary School, and Owen Bartolo who attends Maria Regina College Mosta Zokrija Secondary School, earned their place in the European finals after winning this year's National Money Quiz, organised and supported by the MBA as part of European Money Week 2025, in collaboration with the Department of Accounting and Business Studies within the Directorate for Stem and Vet Programmes of the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation. Their journey through the national competition proved to be an excellent learning experience, sharpening their understanding of key financial topics.
Over two exciting days in Brussels, the students competed alongside national champions from 30 countries, answering questions on saving strategies, budgeting, long-term financial planning, cryptocurrencies, cybersecurity and responsible credit use. In total, more than 73,000 students from 2,877 schools across Europe participated in the competition this year.
Beyond the quiz itself, the Maltese students took part in a rich educational programme curated by the EBF, which included a visit to the Wikifin Lab at Belgium's Financial Services and Markets Authority, a bell-ringing ceremony at Euronext, and a guided tour of the Parlamentarium, the European Parliament's visitor centre. They also had the opportunity to meet and interact with students from across Europe, exchanging knowledge and building friendships.
Karol Gabarretta, secretary general of the MBA, commented: "We are proud of the Maltese students who represented our country with enthusiasm and confidence at the European Money Quiz finals. Their passion is a reflection of the value we place on financial education as a life skill. By supporting initiatives like the National Money Quiz and European Money Week, the MBA remains committed to empowering our younger generations with the tools they need to make informed financial decisions."
The European Money Quiz is part of a broader drive to boost financial education across Europe. The European Commission is expected to publish a European Financial Literacy Strategy later this year to strengthen the coordination of efforts across public, private and educational sectors. As a long-standing advocate, the EBF and its national members, including the MBA, stand ready to support this important work.