Panagiotis Antonopoulos, Vice Chairman and CEO, at the Delphi Economic Forum X
"Financial knowledge is a necessary prerequisite for economic prosperity. It is the responsibility of the financial system to transmit its deep financial expertise to society."
At the Delphi Economic Forum X, Panagiotis Antonopoulos, CEO of Alpha Asset Management, highlighted the importance of financial education in an era of heightened global uncertainty. Speaking on the panel "Thrive in the Unknown: Financial Skills for an Unpredictable World", he emphasized the role of the financial system and the market in cultivating a financially literate population.
“We live in a time when uncertainty is no longer the exception – it's the rule. Trade tensions, currency fluctuations, inflation, energy crises – all these contribute to a volatile landscape that requires citizens to develop new skills. Financial education is no longer a privilege; it is a vital condition for survival and prosperity in this environment," Mr. Antonopoulos noted.
According to the Eurobarometer, he said, Greece ranks 24th among the 27 EU countries in terms of financial skills — a fact that should prompt action.
The Responsibility of the Financial System
Referring to the responsibility of the financial sector, the CEO of Alpha Asset Management emphasized that public awareness is a core pillar of sustainable development. He explained that when citizens understand financial products, markets, and risks, they become active, informed consumers — making society fairer and more resilient.
"Banks and asset managers have both the expertise and the access. It's not enough to simply offer products – we must help citizens use them responsibly. Alpha Asset Management actively participates in the Ministry of Finance’s ‘National Financial Literacy Strategy.’ Through targeted workshops aimed at female clients and young people, we provide practical knowledge for responsible money management and long-term prosperity. At the same time, we are investing in enhancing digital financial literacy," Mr. Antonopoulos stated.
He also added that Alpha Asset Management ensures it offers a wide range of investment products, paired with the right banking services, to fully meet client needs. “The role of our organization, of all financial institutions, and of financial advisors is to speak each client's language — so we can offer them the right solutions,” he added.
Towards Universal Financial Literacy
Mr. Antonopoulos stressed that there are practical solutions to increase financial knowledge in Greek households. “Financial education must be integrated into all levels of education, starting from elementary school, with a hands-on, experiential approach. Theoretical knowledge is essential, but practical training from an early age can make a difference and shape healthy financial habits for life.
At the same time, lifelong learning initiatives should be developed, especially for adults outside the traditional education system — such as women and older citizens who may be unfamiliar with digital transactions and more vulnerable to digital fraud. The key is to speak to every audience in a way they understand. If we do that, we can build a financially literate society,” he concluded.
You can read the related press release here, (available only in Greek)