TISA Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to bringing banking services closer to underserved and remote communities through its continued support of the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) and its financial inclusion programs across Papua New Guinea.

TISA Bank recently joined CEFI and the Bank of Papua New Guinea for the Financial Inclusion and Currency Awareness Program conducted from 17 to 21 August 2026 in Amazon Bay LLG, Abau District, Central Province, together with other participating financial institutions.

A key milestone for TISA Bank was the launch of agency banking services at Kurere Asiaro Village, giving communities greater access to formal banking services without having to travel long distances to major centers. Tony Mwayawa was appointed as a TISA Bank agent for the area, extending the Bank's reach into a community where access to traditional banking infrastructure remains limited.

The banking agents were officially launched by Bank of Papua New Guinea Governor Ms. Elizabeth Genia. TISA Bank Chief Executive Officer Luke Kaul said the initiative reflects the Bank's commitment to addressing one of the most significant barriers to financial inclusion in Papua New Guinea: access. “For many Papua New Guineans, access to banking is still determined by where they live. In remote communities, something as simple as making a deposit, withdrawing money or opening an account can require significant travel, time and cost.”

“We believe banking has to move closer to our people. This is why agency banking is an important part of our strategy and why we continue to support the work of CEFI and the Bank of Papua New Guinea in extending financial services to communities that have traditionally been underserved,” Mr. Kaul adds.

At TISA Bank, Banking on Change means making banking more accessible, practical and relevant to the everyday lives of Papua New Guineans. We want to reach people where traditional banking may not ordinarily reach and give more communities the opportunity to participate in the formal financial system.

The Amazon Bay program combines financial literacy, currency awareness, bank account opening, product awareness and agency banking, providing communities with both financial knowledge and practical access to formal banking services.

 Across two programs conducted in Amazon Bay in July and August 2026, more than 600 people received financial literacy training, and more than 1,000 bank accounts were opened across participating financial institutions.

 TISA Bank officers supported account-opening and banking awareness activities throughout the program, helping community members understand available banking services and take practical steps towards entering the formal financial system. TISA Bank Head of Agency Banking Ei Thu Thu Myint Myat also participated in financial literacy graduation activities and engaged with students and communities during the outreach.

For TISA Bank, agency banking forms part of a broader effort to extend banking services beyond traditional branches and bring access closer to communities.

Mr. Kaul said reaching the underbanked requires financial institutions to look beyond conventional banking models and respond to the realities faced by communities across Papua New Guinea.

“Financial inclusion is ultimately about giving people access to services that can improve the way they manage their money, support their families and participate in economic opportunities. We commend CEFI for continuing to take financial literacy and financial services directly into communities. TISA Bank is proud to support this work, and we remain committed to reaching more Papua New Guineans, particularly in areas where access to banking has historically been limited.”

The August program followed an earlier outreach conducted in Amazon Bay from 7 to 10 Jul2026 and responded to strong community demand for further financial literacy training and improved access to banking services.

TISA Bank will continue working with CEFI, the Bank of Papua New Guinea and relevant stakeholders to support initiatives that improve financial literacy, expand participation in the formal financial system and bring banking closer to communities across Papua New Guinea