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On June 4, 2026, the Organic Law on Financial Education came into effect. Its purpose is to implement and regulate financial education programs that are and must be carried out by public, private, and national financial system entities.
- Approach
The law covers programs for teaching and disseminating financial knowledge. These programs can be carried out by public and private entities within the national financial system. The aim is to promote the responsible management of resources, encourage saving and investment, and prevent excessive debt among citizens.
- Scope of Application
The law is mandatory for all natural and legal persons that comprise the National Education System, the Intercultural Bilingual Education System, the Higher Education System, Ethno-education, and the Economic and Financial System. It also includes financial education programs carried out by public, private, and national financial system entities, as well as entities involved in securities, insurance, and prepaid comprehensive healthcare services.
- Programs for Priority Groups
Financial education programs will be implemented for priority groups, including stakeholders in the social and solidarity economy, people in rural areas, entrepreneurs, migrants, beneficiaries of social programs, and Indigenous peoples and nationalities. Financial institutions must conduct financial education programs at least once a year, without incurring commercial penalties. These programs must be offered in different cantons throughout the country.
- Mandatory Content in Non-Formal Financial Education Programs
The content must include: the identification and prevention of electronic fraud, the safe use of digital platforms and online financial services, the protection of personal data and authentication mechanisms, transaction validation in digital environments, and risks associated with new technologies. Institutions must place special emphasis on older adults.
- Legal Reforms
Organic Law of Intercultural Education: The rights of students and teacher training are incorporated as part of the principles of the education system.
Organic Monetary and Financial Code: recognizes financial inclusion and education as instruments to improve citizens’ quality of life, and instructs the Financial and Monetary Policy and Regulation Board to incorporate a comprehensive financial education strategy into the National Financial Inclusion Policy.
- Transitional Provisions
First: Within 90 days of the law’s entry into force, the President shall issue the corresponding regulations.
Second: Within one year of the law’s approval, the education authorities, together with the governing body of financial and monetary policy, shall develop the strategy to implement the component addressed in this law. Third: Once the strategy is issued, the National Education Authority shall verify its implementation in educational institutions. Higher education institutions shall begin to progressively incorporate the corresponding financial education components within one year.
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This publication contains information of general interest and does not constitute legal opinion on specific issues. Any analysis will require legal advice from the Firm.