The Hungarian Banking Association and financial institutions have organised the Good Deed Bank – Banking Blood Donors’ Month for the 7^th time, which was once again joined by the Management and Staff Members of the National Bank of Hungary. Owing to the joint efforts of the Hungarian banking sector, 1 492 bank employees took part in blood donation this October, contributing to the recovery of nearly 4 500 patients.

With the assistance of the Hungarian National Blood Transfusion Service (OVSZ), which co-ordinates the professional aspects, and the Hungarian Red Cross, bank employees were able to register as voluntary blood donors not only in Budapest but also in Nyíregyháza and Békéscsaba, either at mobile blood donation stands set up near branches, or at blood supply centres.

This year’s 1 492 blood donations surpassed even last year’s figures. A single blood donation can provide blood products sufficient to support the recovery of three patients, meaning that the voluntary donations from bank staff members contributed to the treatment of nearly 4 500 patients in total.

A steady supply of fresh blood products is essential to ensure a secure blood supply for the country; therefore, regular and planned blood donation initiatives are of paramount importance. ‘It is immensely helpful to the Hungarian National Blood Transfusion Service that it has been able to count on the solidarity of bank employees every autumn for the past seven years’ - explained Dr Attila Árpád Tordai, Director-General of the Hungarian National Blood Transfusion Service. ‘Banking Blood Donors’ Month is an exemplary initiative, which also reached out to 145 first-time blood donors this year. It is important to make sure that, in addition to regular blood donors, we also reach new donors, as their participation is essential for an uninterrupted and safe blood supply. We wish to thank bank employees and our partners involved in the organisation for their collaboration and hard work this year.’

‘Blood donation is one of the finest examples of individual responsibility and community co-operation coming together for a cause that money cannot buy’ - added Dr Levente Kovács, Secretary-General of the Hungarian Banking Association. ‘I greatly appreciate the support of all those who, through regular blood donations, contribute to the recovery of others, whether they are employees in the banking sector or come from other fields. I consider it particularly important to point out that the banking sector’s joint effort is not a one-off initiative, but rather an ongoing commitment to social responsibility, now taking place for the 7^th time. In doing so, we are setting an example of social responsibility for other sectors as well. I wish to thank the staff members of the Hungarian National Blood Transfusion Service and the Hungarian Red Cross for their co-operation, and I also wish to offer special congratulations to Mr Radován Jelasity, our President, who has now donated blood for the 50^th time! I would also like to thank Dr Sándor Nagy, Deputy Director-General for Professional Affairs at the Hungarian National Blood Transfusion Service, Ildikó Szakács, Blood Donation Co-Ordinator at the Hungarian Red Cross, as well as Brigitta Szűcs, Spokesperson for the National Ambulance Service, for contributing to our opening event, and a special thanks is also due to my Colleague and Main Organiser, Ferenc Kardos, who is also a frequent blood donor.’

At the programme’s opening event, the Hungarian Banking Association also presented the Grand Award of Honour, which, this year, was granted to Erik Bogsch, Lifetime Honorary President of Richter Gedeon Plc., in recognition of his pivotal role in the development and international success of the Hungarian pharmaceutical industry.

Banking Blood Donors’ Month has now become an emblematic part of the Good Deed Bank programme, a joint corporate social responsibility initiative in the domestic banking sector. Its success is also demonstrated by the fact that the programme, which initially lasted just one week, has now expanded to a full month. As in previous years, the National Bank of Hungary has joined the initiative, and several of the Central Bank’s senior executives personally donated blood at the opening event held at MagNet Bank’s Head Office.

Hungarian Banking Association                                             Budapest, 4 November 2026

PRESS RELEASE

Banking Blood Donors’ Month: The Hungarian banking sector comes together for the seventh time

More than 1 600 persons from the Hungarian banking sector have registered for this year’s Banking Blood Donors’ Month, organised for the 7^th time by the Hungarian Banking Association in co-operation with the National Blood Transfusion Service and the Hungarian Red Cross.

Each year, more and more people from the banking sector join the programme, including the Senior Management and Staff Members of the National Bank of Hungary (MNB), which clearly shows that the sector’s community is committed to social responsibility and considers it important to offer tangible help to those in need. This year, the ‘7^th Good Deed Bank – Banking Blood Donors’ Month’ event, running from 5 to 30 October, will take place at twenty locations in Budapest and at two venues in the countryside. Banking sector employees may take part in on-site blood donation sessions in the buildings of various financial institutions as well as at blood transfusion centres.

Today’s opening event of Banking Blood Donors’ Month was hosted by MagNet Bank. ‘As a community bank, we consider it only natural that, in addition to offering banking services, our head office and branches should also serve to protect the health of local communities,’ explained Zsolt Fáy, Chairman of MagNet Bank. ‘To this day, we have organised more than sixty blood donation sessions at our head office, and by the end of 2026 we will have installed defibrillators available round the clock at all 28 of our branches, so that anyone can quickly access this life-saving device if necessary.’

‘Blood donation, just like the banking system as a whole, is about stability and trust,’ said Norbert Izer, Executive Director of the National Bank of Hungary. ‘In the case of blood donation, it is about trusting our fellow citizens, who give their time and blood for the benefit of others’ health, and the healthcare institutions responsible for our recovery. And in the banking sector it is about trusting our bank, because it always duly executes our financial instructions. Thank you to everyone who supports the noble cause of blood donation in Hungary.’

The programme’s technical co-ordinator is the National Blood Transfusion Service (OVSZ), and the Hungarian Red Cross is also involved in organising the event. During blood donation sessions, a single donor can contribute to the recovery of up to three people, as the blood collected can be used to produce various blood products. ‘The banking sector is fully aware that being secure requires adequate reserves, and the same applies to blood stocks’ - explained Dr Sándor Nagy, Deputy Director General responsible for Professional Affairs at the National Blood Transfusion Service. ‘Banking Blood Donors’ Month has now been mobilising the financial sector for seven years, and it is heartening to see that more and more people join the initiative each year. We wish to express our gratitude for the nearly 1 500 blood donations made during this campaign, also on behalf of those in need of blood products.’

As Radován Jelasity, President of the Hungarian Banking Association explained: ‘There are some things it is good to compete in, while there are others where it is better to work together. Blood donation clearly falls in the latter category: this year marks the seventh time the domestic banking sector has come together for a cause where every single participant can make a real difference. A lot has changed around us over the past seven years, but the enthusiasm with which the banking community time and again stands by this initiative has not. I am proud to say that ‘Banking Blood Donors’ Month’ has now become a joint cause on which we all agree, and where we stand united as a single community.’

Levente Kovács, Secretary-General of the Hungarian Banking Association, added: ‘A country’s strength is demonstrated not only by its economic performance, but also by the extent to which its people are able to come together and take responsibility for one another. During Banking Blood Donors’ Month, the Hungarian banking sector demonstrates year after year that social responsibility is not simply a corporate value, but a shared cause and a joint responsibility. The power of co-operation can therefore also serve as a positive example for other sectors and larger communities, as it shows that when members of a community dedicate their time and energy to others, it has a real, tangible social impact.’

The additional blood supply provided by the staff members of financial institutions during Banking Blood Donors’ Month ensures that blood supplies are available without interruptions even during the autumn break. The banking sector’s collective effort helped save more than 4 000 lives last year.

At the programme’s opening event, the Hungarian Banking Association presented the Grand Prize of Honour, established to recognise exceptional individuals and institutions who have created lasting value through their outstanding achievements in economics or other academic fields, as well as through their dedicated work. This year, the Grand Prize of Honour was awarded to Erik Bogsch, Honorary Chairman for Life of Richter Gedeon Plc., for his pivotal role in the development and international success of the Hungarian pharmaceutical industry.

BACKGROUND

Members of the Hungarian banking sector, under the auspices of the Hungarian Banking Association, established the ‘GOOD DEED Bank’, the joint CSR programme of the banking sector, during the Covid pandemic, which was recognised in 2021 through MasterCard’s ‘Social Initiative of the Year’ Special Award. One of the programme’s key events is ‘Banking Blood Donors’ Month’, thanks to which staff members in the Hungarian banking sector have helped patients recover by donating nearly ten thousand units of blood in recent years.

Hungarian Banking Association, Budapest, 6 October 2026

The Senate of the University of Miskolc has recognized the Hungarian Banking Association’s decades long professional efforts in supporting the university’s Faculty of Economics with the “Outstanding Supporter of the University of Miskolc” award.

With this award, tthe university recognized the Hungarian Banking Association’s efforts to promote the professional development of economics students, its role in the establishment of the Fintelligence Lecture Hall, and its contribution to organizing professional events and conferences. The certificate was presented on September 4 in Miskolc Egyetemváros by Prof. Dr. Zita Horváth, Rector and Chair of the Senate.

The long standing collaboration between the Hungarian Banking Association and the University of Miskolc is a prime example of how partnerships between higher education and the financial sector can contribute to educating and preparing future economic professionals. The relationship is further strengthened by the fact that Dr. Levente Kovács, Secretary General of the Hungarian Banking Association, has been a professor and head of department at the University of Miskolc for 15 years, contributing to the cooperation between the university and the Hungarian Banking Association through his personal professional commitment.

Press Release: The Hungarian Banking Sector Continues to Operate Smoothly Even During Energy Restrictions, Banks Also Do Their Part in Voluntarily Reducing Energy Consumption

Member Banks of the Hungarian Banking Association Have Responded Effectively to the Extraordinary Situation, Banks Also Do Their Part in Voluntarily Reducing Energy Consumption

As a result of the drought and the current heatwave, Hungary has faced extremely serious challenges. However, the domestic banking sector continues to operate smoothly even during energy restrictions.

In addition to responsible energy use, member banks have also implemented further energy saving measures tailored to their own operations. These include expanding work from home options, optimizing energy consumption in office buildings, regulating lighting and air conditioning appropriately, limiting non essential energy consumption, and encouraging employees to adopt energy conscious practices. The operation of financial infrastructure, IT systems and banking security continues to be a top priority.

The Hungarian Banking Association encourages bank customers to plan their banking transactions in advance whenever possible and to use digital channels, which allow for more convenient and faster transactions. Banks remain fully prepared to provide online and mobile banking services, as well as card payment services.

Members of the Hungarian Banking Association continue to work to maintain the continuous and secure operation of financial services while contributing, to the best of their ability, to reducing the country’s energy consumption and preserving security of supply.

August 6, 2026
Hungarian Banking Association

The Hungarian Banking Association held its annual General Meeting earlier today, at which Mihály Varga, Governor of the Central Bank (National Bank of Hungary) and András Kármán, Minister of Finance, both delivered speeches. At the event, President Radován Jelasity delivered his report, informing participants about the organisation’s activities and responsibilities. At the General Meeting, the Hungarian Banking Association held a general election of officials, electing a new Board, Supervisory Board and Chair for the Ethics Committee.

At the General Meeting, Members voted for issuing the following statement.

The parliamentary elections have ushered in a new era, bringing a distinctive 16-year period to a close. It often happens at the end of long cycles fraught with extraordinary challenges that regulatory intervention swings too far in the opposite direction, similarly to a pendulum. This has been the case once again. For the economy to function in a sustainable and healthy manner, it is desirable for the pendulum to return to its central position; letting market forces to prevail; and for interventions to be proportionate and predictable.

The financial sector remains a partner in shaping a predictable economic environment that is independent of electoral cycles, and in preparing and executing feasible decisions. This can add to investor confidence, encourage investment and contribute to the sustainable growth of the economy, thus helping boost social well-being. A banking sector operating within a stable regulatory and market environment acts as the economy’s immune system, safeguarding growth and stability. If this is lacking, the reverse impact is felt almost instantly: legal uncertainty distorts market conditions, restricts lending and substantially weakens the banking sector’s role in safeguarding the economy. This is one of the reasons why we consider it of fundamental importance to be able to set a transparent, pre-set road map for phasing out the extraordinary taxes imposed on the financial sector. The banking tax, the windfall tax and the transaction levy temporarily helped maintain fiscal stability during difficult periods. However, their continued existence does more harm than good: it curbs lending, distorts market processes and undermines not only the sector’s competitiveness but also the functioning of the economy. At the same time, interest rate caps, mandatory ATM installation and similar measures directly interfere with market competition, undermine financial culture and erode confidence in the Hungarian economy. Moreover, the regulatory treatment of the banking sector serves as a litmus paper for the entire economy, as whatever happens in the financial sector today, be it a windfall tax or an interest rate cap, may well be reflected in the functioning of other sectors a few years down the line.

Strengthening European integration and the promise of adopting the Euro could inject new dynamism into the entire Hungarian economy, as the EU and neighbouring countries are our key natural partners in both economic and political terms. The introduction of the Euro is a strategic decision that could create a persistently lower and more predictable interest rate environment in Hungary.

The financial sector is calling on the new Government to ensure a level playing field and allow market forces to freely prevail. Pure market competition yields the most sustainable results for stakeholders present in the financial and economic sectors: this reflects innovation and efficiency. Equal competitive conditions yield the best quality and the most favourable prices for customers.

The prevalence of market forces, alongside various forms of support, can also promote a more efficient allocation of resources, reduce budgetary pressures and, in the long term, support a more balanced, organic path of economic development. Government loan schemes can only be regarded effective if they complement market-based funding options, are aligned with their way of operation, and their scale does not cause any significant distortion of market demand and supply. Support programmes aligned with electoral cycles may also trigger economic impacts that work against their intended objectives. By contrast, a more targeted and predictable support/subsidy strategy creates a more stable and predictable economic environment for customers, investors and financial institutions alike. Experience from our region, as seen in Slovakia, Slovenia and Croatia, shows that, upon joining the monetary union, lending rates gradually converge towards the Eurozone average, whilst exchange rate and inflation volatility subside. This, in turn, indirectly improves the affordability of housing, without the need for significant budgetary intervention. In the meantime, it is justified to maintain a targeted housing subsidy scheme. As for SME lending, it is advisable to set the most optimal ratio for the economy between market-based and subsidised loan schemes based on professional consensus.

A competitive economy rests on modern, digital financial infrastructure and a predictable legal environment. When it comes to digital banking, it makes sense to build on the EU’s best practices: to simplify the sharing of data accessible in public databases; as regulation that is both secure and flexible, along with the development of digital customer journeys all improve customer experience and boost competition. The banking sector, just as in the past, will continue to be a partner in shaping an ideal and easy-to-apply regulatory environment.

The banking sector is ready to play an active role in this new phase of economic growth. One prerequisite for this is that the economic policy ‘pendulum’ should remain close to a balanced mid-point in the long run, creating an economic policy environment that is predictable, competition-neutral and rests on natural market mechanisms. We trust that the new Government will support the establishment of such a regulatory environment, which serves both sustainable economic growth and financial stability. We also wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the new Government on its formation, and wish them every success in achieving our common economic goals.

At the General Meeting, awards and honours were also presented, reflecting the results achieved in the past year.

The Golden Beehive Award was presented to:

• Zénó Amtmann – OTP Bank
• Anita Deák – National Deposit Insurance Fund
• Marianna Drevenka – UniCredit Bank
• Dávid Hollósi – MBH Bank
• Zsuzsanna Koszta – OTP Bank
• Gábor Liener – Raiffeisen Bank
• Máté Neményi – KDB Bank

The Golden Beehive Commemorative Plaque was presented to:

• Judit Baracs – SWIFT

In addition, 18 individuals were invited to take up positions as Chairs of the Hungarian Banking Association’s Working Groups, upon the presentation of their Letters of Appointment.

As part of the general election of officers, Members of the Hungarian Banking Association elected the following governing bodies for the next three years:

Board: Radován Jelasity (President), András Becsei (Vice President); Zsolt Barna, Krisztina Bogdán, János Gerendás, Éva Hegedüs, Balázs Tóth;

Supervisory Board: Peter Roebben (Chair), Ágnes Erdős (Deputy Chair), Tamás Fischer, Balázs Szabó, András Szepesi;

Ethics Committee: László Balogh (Chair).

Budapest, 13 July 2026                                                                         Hungarian Banking Association

Limassol, Cyprus, 22 May 2026 – Within the next five years, Europe will need to fill an annual investment gap that is currently estimated at EUR 1.4 trillion. European banks stand ready to play a key role in this respect if empowered to do so. The European Banking Federation (EBF) Board met today to discuss how the key conditions can be created to fulfil this essential role in the most effective way. The discussion focused on three central themes: Capital, resilience and integration. The conclusion was that a wake-up call is needed to ensure decisive, conclusive action now.
The Board, based on the preliminary findings of a new, fact-based study on the competitiveness of European banks by Oliver Wyman, which is expected to be published in June 2026, discussed and concluded that meeting Europe’s investment financing needs will require a better balance between capital, resilience and growth, and a shift away from excessive risk aversion towards a more appropriate level of risk appetite.
If regulation and supervision are the medicine to safeguard the health of the European financial system, determining and adjusting the right dosage is essential for long-term prosperity and growth in Europe.

EBF President Slawomir Krupa stated: “it is not too late, but it is very late. We need to broaden our focus from resilience to competitiveness. Competitiveness starts with resilience, but then it requires proper risk taking and proper risk management to support investment and growth which are the only ultimate prosperity and resilience factors. We need to enact deep changes reflecting our strategic priorities for Europe’s growth and sovereignty and translate these choices into concrete technical changes in regulation and supervision. European banks stand ready to partner and support all the European individuals, corporates and authorities in addressing the most pressing challenges of our times”.
Balancing capital requirements and growth in Europe
The EBF Board discussed and highlighted that, since the 2008 financial crisis, the EU’s financial regulatory architecture and the continuous efforts of the banks have ensured that European banks are well-capitalized and widely acknowledged as resilient.
Meanwhile, the capital requirements continue to be increased, with the current capital requirements’ structure that applies to European banks consisting of accumulated and overlapping layers and buffers on a European level, with – in addition – a multitude of national capital add-ons.
The problem of these overlapping and increasing requirements, the Board discussed, is that capital planning has become a conundrum for EU banks. For a representative cross-section of European banks, the supervisory capital add-ons equal 91% of the retained earnings in the 2022-2024 period, limiting the capital generated available for further lending to just 9%. The Board observed that the lending capacity of European banks is increasingly constrained by supervisors’ discretionary capital requirements.
The Board concluded that, based on these new insights, the urgency has further increased to collaborate towards a fundamental and accelerated simplification of the European regulatory and supervisory framework to allow banks to increase their contribution to bridging the gap of Europe’s increasing investment requirements.
Digital euro and the future of payments in Europe
The Board took note of the rapid progress in legislative negotiations on the digital euro and the ECB’s ongoing work. Board members noted that a carefully sequenced, phased implementation process is the most effective means of mitigating the risks of a full-scale launch – safeguarding trust, ensuring operational readiness, and laying the groundwork for a digital euro that works for all stakeholders from the outset.
Board members also highlighted that European banks have a strong track record in collaborating and delivering results in the area of digital payments, thus providing a solid foundation and valuable assets to support resilient and autonomous retail payment systems, such as the SEPA instant payments scheme (SCT Inst). Leveraging the SCT Inst scheme, a range of domestic and regional account-to-account (A2A) mobile payment solutions are working together to provide competitive and innovative pan-European payments for all main use cases, through interoperability of the payment experience across European countries. In this respect, the Board emphasizes the importance to reuse established and proven European standards governing private digital means of payment. Such an approach would be mutually beneficial for both public and private sector stakeholders. and would underpin the complementarity between public and private initiatives in strengthening European payments sovereignty.

It would also have many positive impacts on all relevant stakeholders, payment service providers, merchants and consumers alike.
Finally, the issue of a limit in digital euro holdings continues to be a crucial aspect of the project for banks, as safeguarding bank deposits, is essential for the lending capacity of banks.
The Board concludes that these points should be reflected in the draft legislation establishing the digital euro.
Tech risks
The Board discussed priority aspects of risks related to the use of technology, namely latest developments regarding frontier AI models and digital fraud. It was noted that effective management of risks stemming from the misuse of AI and the fight against digital fraud call for increased cooperation and an ecosystem approach, both at the European and at international levels. Banks, policymakers and supervisors are already engaged in constructive dialogue. The dimension of the broader ecosystem, however, is of particular importance: all entities in the supply chain need to address AI risks; all entities in the fraud chain, including telcos and online platforms, need to act decisively and in a seamless manner to prevent and fight digital fraud.
The discussion also touched upon the current debate on Europe’s technological sovereignty and the necessity to balance security considerations with fostering vibrant and innovative supply chains that support the competitiveness of European banks. Financial entities need to maintain the ability to manage the underlying operational, cyber and third-party risks associated with sovereignty, through their existing governance and risk management frameworks, consistent with current regulatory requirements and supervisory expectations. Financial entities make long-term technology investments planned over many years. Predictability and regulatory clarity are therefore critical.

For more information, contact EBF media relations at mediacentre@ebf.eu

or call/app Niels-Peter van Doorn at +32 (0) 472 01 71 66

EBF Board Highlights - 22 May 2026

The elections that took place yesterday and the clear victory of the Tisza Party can open a new chapter for Europen intergration, and, within that, the Hungarian economy’s development. Co-operation between government, economic and financial areas will result in sustainable development and growth, rooted in predictability. The core responsibility of the Hungarian financial sector is to fund economic growth in Hungary,  for which it has the right skills and capabilities. We are committed and ready to co-operate for Hungary’s stability and predictable growth. Congratulations to the winning political power!

Hungarian Banking Association

The Pénziránytű Foundation, established in 2008 by the Hungarian Banking Association, the National Bank of Hungary, and the Student Loan Center, was created with the aim of implementing programs to promote financial literacy in cooperation with government agencies, civil society organizations, and market participants. The Foundation’s educational materials and initiatives reach hundreds of thousands of students each year, helping young people make confident and informed financial decisions in their daily lives.

As a public benefit organization, you have the option to donate 1% of your personal income tax to the Foundation, thereby contributing to the expansion of our professional work and ensuring that financial literacy reaches even more young people.

Tax ID: 18132678-2-43

The Pénziránytű Foundation gratefully thanks you for your support!

Translated with DeepL.com 

The Hungarian PÉNZ7 program series achieves outstanding results year after year! A record number of students, teachers, and volunteers joined the program series—which promotes financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills—during the 2025–2026 school year!

In early March, the PÉNZ7 financial and entrepreneurial theme week was held for the twelfth time in schools across the country. This year’s program focused on financial security (with special emphasis on digital security and insurance), and in the entrepreneurial category, the “Think and Act! – Resources.”

The 12th PÉNZ7 kicked off with a ceremonial opening in the Ceremonial Hall of the Ministry of the Interior. The event series once again drew significant interest this year:

more than 2,300 teachers from 1,445 schools joined the initiative;
approximately 222,000 students participated in 16,000 special classes nationwide;
840 volunteer professionals conducted special classes in public education and vocational training institutions.
The Ministry of the Interior implemented the program in collaboration with the Ministry of National Economy, the Hungarian Banking Association, the Pénziránytű Foundation, and the Junior Achievement Hungary Foundation. The program remained an integral part of the international network in 2026 as well, as Hungary has been a participant in the European Money Week and Global Money Week event series from the very beginning.

As part of the program series, the Hungarian Banking Association also presented the “Ambassador of Financial Culture” awards, which recognize individuals and organizations.

The following individuals received awards:

Dr. Ramón Farkas, Head of the Life Insurance Division at MABISZ;
Tibor Herczeg, Editor and Host at Kossuth Radio;
László Nándor Nagy, business journalist;
Imre Sipos, Deputy State Secretary for Public Education at the Ministry of the Interior;
Dr. Hedvig Szabó, Senior Advisor at the Hungarian National Bank;
Dr. Anikó Túri, State Secretary for Public Administration at the Ministry of National Economy;
Linda Horváth, Deputy Director of Vocational Studies at the Baross Gábor Bilingual Economics Technical School in Győr, received the Teacher’s Award; and
Mária Prekopné Hriczó, teacher at the Fényi Gyula Jesuit High School, Boarding School, and Kindergarten in Miskolc;
the Bethlen István School of Economics and Public Administration in Veszprém received an institutional award;
In connection with the 12th PÉNZ7 program, the FINTELLIGENCE Financial Culture Conference was held on March 4 at the Institute of Finance and Accounting of the University of Miskolc, the Hungarian Banking Association, the Hungarian Chamber of Auditors, and the Finance and Accounting Working Committee of the Miskolc Regional Committee of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Students from Ózd won the national competition

Two students from the Széchenyi István Catholic Technical School and High School (SZIKSZI) in Ózd, Noémi Csuzda and Balázs Tőkés—with the help of their coach, Csilla Nemcsokné Császár—were the only ones to provide perfect answers, thus advancing to the European finals to be held in Brussels. In a close competition, the team from the Gönczy Pál Elementary School in Debrecen (Zoárd Bai and Dénes Czagány, with the assistance of their teacher Angéla Erzsébet Burger), while the team from the István Bocskai High School in Hajdúböszörmény took third place (Roland Oláh and Attila Pór, with the assistance of their teacher Ágnes Kissné Horváth).

Digital Sniff Challenge – back again this year!

Constant hacker attacks are taking place in the online space, but with the right caution and care, you can prepare for them. The Hungarian Banking Association’s online quiz game, the Digital Sniff Challenge, running from March 2 to April 6, gives everyone the opportunity to test their digital security knowledge.

The Digital Sniff Challenge is available HERE, and a summary video of the 12th PÉNZ7 program can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

The organizers of PÉNZ7 would like to express their gratitude to all educators, as well as to employees and leaders working in the central bank, government, banking, financial, and insurance sectors, and to the entrepreneurs who joined the program and volunteered their time to help develop students’ financial literacy.

Translated with DeepL.com 

People are becoming increasingly savvy online, but cybercriminals are also honing their AI tools, and the stakes are no longer trivial. Ágnes Sütő, co-project manager of KiberPajzs and executive director of the Investor Protection Fund (Beva), which is participating in the program, Dr. Sándor Töreki, Major General and Deputy National Police Chief for Criminal Affairs, and Ferenc Kardos, Executive Director of the Media Union Foundation, on March 24, 2026, in Budapest at the Police Administration Center.

According to the latest data from the Hungarian National Bank, the number of successful online financial frauds and the resulting losses are declining on an annual basis, which is a positive trend. Increasing public awareness is playing an increasingly significant role in this: customers are recognizing suspicious signs more frequently and handling their data more responsibly—this conscious behavior is now one of the most important pillars of defense. Advanced security solutions—including the Central Fraud Detection System and AI-based banking monitoring—also play a key role in mitigating risks.

Investment scams are among the most common forms of online fraud. A hallmark of these scams is that the perpetrators typically promise high returns and unrealistically quick payoffs, claiming that the customer can quickly and easily multiply their investment.

Online investment scams don’t start with a “scam” warning flashing on the screen, but rather by making everything seem “too good to be true and too urgent”! Scammers now operate with professional ads, “advisors,” and interfaces that appear credible, and they want only one thing: for you not to think, but to transfer money!

The current focus of the “You Are the Key!” campaign by the Media Union Foundation and the Hungarian Banking Association is on the increasingly common investment scams. These online scams usually begin with persuasion, pressure, and emotional manipulation, and the goal is simple: to get the victim to transfer money themselves, often in increasingly larger amounts.

What should you do if something goes wrong?

If you suspect that someone has fallen victim to a scam, it’s important to act as soon as possible:

Call your bank immediately and report: “I have been the victim of fraud.” Ask the bank to take action, such as reversing the affected transactions and blocking access;
Save all evidence: messages, emails, links, screenshots, and transaction receipts;
File a report with the police (in person, by phone at 112, or online);
If you granted remote access, revoke it and ensure you have virus protection and change your passwords.
Important warning: online investment scams are often followed by a “recovery scam,” in which someone poses as a “lawyer” or “government official” and promises to recover the stolen funds in exchange for money. In reality, no one asks for money to recover your stolen funds; if they ask for a “fee,” it’s another scam!

There’s no shame in asking for help

Victims of online investment scams often feel ashamed, which is why they wait too long to ask for help—even though the sooner a report is filed, the greater the chance of preventing further losses. Victim support is available at vansegitseg.im.gov.hu or by calling the Victim Support Centers’ toll-free number (06-80/225-225), and prevention tips can be found at Kiberpajzs.hu.

Translated with deepL.

The 12th PÉNZ7 program will take place in schools from March 2–6, 2026. In the financial track, the focus will be on financial security—including digital security and insurance—while the entrepreneurship track will center on “Think and Act!”—Resources.

The theme week, which has been eagerly awaited nationwide and aims to develop financial and entrepreneurial awareness through interactive tools, kicked off with a ceremonial opening in the Ministry of the Interior’s Ceremonial Hall. This year, 218,000 students from more than 1,400 schools are participating in the program series through special lessons, with the assistance of 822 volunteers. Since its launch in 2015, the program has been part of the European Money Week initiative, which takes place simultaneously in some 30 countries, and since 2016, it has also been part of Global Money Week.

The Ministry of the Interior, as the project organizer, along with the Ministry of National Economy, the Hungarian Banking Association, the Pénziránytű Foundation, and the Junior Achievement Hungary Foundation as professional partners, views financial and economic education as its mission. Using experience-based teaching materials in homeroom and other classes, teachers use interactive methods to introduce students to basic financial and economic concepts.

According to a key principle of PÉNZ7, no brand names or commercial logos may appear during lessons. To aid in preparation, registered schools were able to download teaching materials and preparatory resources (guides, videos) tailored to specific age groups from the www.penz7.hu website. Teacher preparation was again supported this year by sample videos, e-learning materials, and webinars. Financial teaching materials from previous school years—including sample videos, e-learning materials, and webinars—remain available on the website.

The PÉNZ7 programs are further enriched by the opportunity for students to participate in related competitions and contests, and schools can also host expert financial volunteers, as well as professionals and entrepreneurs with significant experience in business operations, as part of the theme week.

The PÉNZ7 program is part of the national strategy to promote financial literacy adopted by the Government in 2017 and supports its implementation. Another key objective is to support the 2019–2030 SME Strategy aimed at developing Hungarian micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises: promoting the entrepreneurial lifestyle and developing entrepreneurship-oriented education.

Organizers of PÉNZ7:

Ministry of the Interior, State Secretariat for Public Education,
Ministry of National Economy,
Hungarian Banking Association,
Pénziránytű Foundation,
Junior Achievement Hungary Foundation.
 

Detailed information about the theme week is available at www.penz7.hu.

Trenslated with DeepL.

Several accompanying programs and events related to PÉNZ7 were highlighted as exemplary initiatives in the recently published annual report of Global Money Week.

The Global Money Week campaign, implemented in more than 130 countries worldwide, is coordinated by the International Network on Financial Education (IFNE) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In Hungary, the series of events is held under the title “PÉNZ7 – Financial and Entrepreneurial Theme Week”, with the aim of raising young people’s awareness of financial literacy.

In its newly released annual report, the OECD IFNE identified two PÉNZ7-related accompanying events as best practices. As noted in the report:

“In Hungary, the Hungarian Banking Association organized the Digital Detective Challenge, an online quiz competition that attracted more than 29,000 participants from all age groups, who tested their cybersecurity knowledge using the Kahoot platform. Another popular initiative is the Stock Market Race (a stock exchange competition organized by the Pénziránytű Foundation and the Budapest Stock Exchange), which introduces students to the world of investments through a virtual stock market game, allowing them to manage real shares with simulated capital.”

The international organization – in which Hungary is represented by the Ministry for National Economy – also drew attention to the annual satisfaction surveys conducted by the Hungarian organizers. The report emphasized the importance of continuously monitoring the feedback of young participants in the program, noting that this practice has been in place in Hungary for two years:

“In Hungary, the organizers (with the Hungarian Banking Association acting as the professional partner of PÉNZ7 – ed.) assessed students’ satisfaction with PÉNZ7 through a questionnaire. The aim of the survey is to explore students’ opinions about the program series and the content of the theme week.”

The JÓTETT Bank – Green Heart Program has reached another milestone in the sustainability commitment of Hungary’s banking sector. With the support of the Hungarian banking industry, 50,000 tree saplings will be planted during 2025–2026, resulting in the creation of 5 hectares of new forest. This initiative will significantly contribute to increasing Hungary’s forest cover and to protecting the natural environment for future generations.

For years, the JÓTETT Bank – Green Heart Program has been the flagship initiative of the Hungarian banking sector’s joint professional and community engagement, aiming to contribute to environmental protection through concrete and measurable results. The current tree-planting project will be implemented in the Szakály and Miszla regions, on land managed by Gyulaj Forestry and Game Management Plc., through the collaboration of banking sector stakeholders, highlighting financial institutions’ social responsibility and their long-term commitment to sustainable management.
 

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Hungarian banking sector joined forces under the auspices of the Hungarian Banking Association, giving rise to “JÓTETT Bank,” the banking sector’s joint CSR program. One of the most important initiatives of this collaboration is the Green Heart Program, under which the Hungarian banking sector planted a total of 120,000 tree saplings in 2022 in support of a sustainable future.

As part of the same CSR framework, the Bankers’ Blood Donation Month has seen Hungarian bankers donate several thousand units of blood over recent years, contributing to the recovery of patients. In recognition of its activities, JÓTETT Bank received the “Social Initiative of the Year” special award from MasterCard in 2021.

At its joint press conference with KiberPajzs, Visa presented the results of its latest research. The findings show, among other things, that ‘digital illiteracy’ directly increases vulnerability: those who believe AI-generated fake content on social media to be genuine become three times more susceptible to fraud.

In this context, Visa conducted a survey across eleven European countries, involving 9,500 adults, examining among other things how AI-generated content on social media platforms affects users. The findings show that everyday online habits create new points of vulnerability that fraudsters are quick to exploit. Nearly a quarter of Hungarians (24%) have shared a post without checking its authenticity. Almost one-third (31%) say they rarely read beyond the headline on social media or news sites before forming an opinion, and nearly 8% of social media users admitted that they take no steps at all to protect themselves online.

The impact goes beyond financial loss: it leads to emotional stress, increased anxiety, and reduced productivity. One in five affected individuals reported these consequences, and a third of victims spend more than three working days dealing with the aftermath of such incidents.

Experts agree that with the spread of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity is no longer an isolated technological issue, but a shared national economic interest and a collective social responsibility. Cooperation between businesses, public-sector actors and professional organizations — building on initiatives such as the KiberPajzs program — is essential for ensuring that Hungary continues to offer a secure, transparent and competitive digital environment.

Digital awareness is of key importance for small and medium-sized enterprises. As technological development accelerates, cyber threats have also become increasingly complex, making it essential for businesses to stay up to date with security trends and respond proactively to emerging risks. By joining the KiberPajzs program, IVSZ aims to help Hungarian enterprises strengthen their defenses against business fraud.
Digital fraud (business fraud) is occurring with increasing frequency in the corporate environment, causing not only financial losses but also reputational damage to companies. In response to this trend, IVSZ – the Alliance for Digital Enterprises – is joining the KiberPajzs initiative as a professional partner to help strengthen the cybersecurity preparedness of Hungarian businesses. The program aims to ensure that, alongside technological developments, mindset-shaping, education and cooperation also receive strong emphasis.
The cooperation between KiberPajzs and IVSZ marks a milestone in corporate cybersecurity in Hungary. The joint initiative aims to ensure that digitalisation brings not only efficiency, but also security and trust for Hungarian businesses