The success of the initiative requires both involvement of the associations of consumers of financial services and convinced participation by the associations of intermediaries, which will also make it possible to draw on the experience of the Banking Ombudsman. No rule on transparency and protection is truly effective if customers lack the means for making informed decisions.
With the growing complexity of supply, ensuring the financial education of consumers of banking services has become a matter of crucial importance. The Bank of Italy cooperates with other institutions in projects of financial education, has begun to develop a dedicated section of its own website and, with the Ministry of Education, has launched initiatives targeted at schools. But much remains to be done.