Hey everyone 👋 Most people think retirement takes millions of dollars. In this new 5-minute lesson, we measure it differently, in shares of ONE fund: SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF). Here's what you'll learn: ✅ What SCHD is and its key numbers for 2026 ✅ The simple formula to work out the shares you need for a monthly income ✅ Why $1,000/month takes about 11,400 shares today, but only about 5,300 if you start 20 years early ✅ The 3 levers that shrink your number: dividend growth, time, and covering only your gap ✅ The real risks, plus taxes and currency for South African and other non-US investors (W-8BEN, 15% withholding, ZAR/USD) 🎯 YOUR ACTION STEP: After watching, work out your own number: 1. Write down your monthly income gap 2. Multiply by 12 3. Divide by $1.05 Then drop your "retire-today" share count in the comments 👇 Let's see who has the smallest number! ⚠️ Reminder: This is education, not financial advice. Always do your own research and speak to a qualified adviser before investing

Welcome, Banking & Finance Academy community! Small businesses are more than just shops and companies — they create jobs, support families, drive innovation, and contribute to economic growth. But what challenges do they face, and how can banks and financial professionals help them succeed? 🎯 In this new lesson, you will learn: ✅ What Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are. ✅ Why small businesses matter to the economy. ✅ The financial challenges that prevent businesses from growing. ✅ How banks support MSMEs through financing and financial services. ✅ Why cash flow management and responsible borrowing are essential for business success. 💡 Your challenge: Think about a small business in your community. What is its biggest challenge — access to finance, cash flow, high operating costs, or finding customers? 👇 Share your thoughts in the comments! Let's learn from one another and discover how better financial knowledge can help small businesses grow. 📚 Visit the Classroom, start the lesson, and take the next step in strengthening your banking and finance knowledge. Banking & Finance Academy — Turning Financial Knowledge into Practical Skills. #BankingAndFinance #MSME #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth

Hi everyone, Have you ever wondered how a business that makes a healthy profit can still be turned down for a loan? It happens more often than you'd think, and our newest lesson shows you exactly why. In this lesson, you'll learn the four things every bank checks before saying yes: 1. Cash flow: is real cash coming in steadily? 2. Leverage: how much is already borrowed? 3. Collateral: what backs the loan? 4. Repayment capacity: can your cash cover every payment? You'll follow the story of Sunrise Bakery step by step, learn the one simple ratio lenders rely on, and then score your own business with easy math. The lesson includes: - A short video - 7 clear, step-by-step sections - A hands-on "score your own business" assignment with an answer key - A quick 5-question quiz It takes about 45 minutes, and you only need a calculator. Your challenge this week: complete the assignment, then come back here and tell us which pillar is your weakest and which fix you'll try first. You don't need to share real numbers, just your scores. Find it now in the classroom See you in the comments! Dr Candido Joaquim Banking & Finance Academy

Our new lesson explores 10 common money mistakes, from unplanned spending to saving only the leftovers, with practical steps to build a stronger financial foundation. ▶️ Watch the video and see the lesson on classroom. Choose one change to start this week. 💬 Which money habit will you improve first?

Our new lesson is now available in the Classroom. Discover which banking tasks may be automated, which roles will be supported by AI, and why human judgement and accountability remain essential. Watch the lesson, assess your own AI exposure and identify the skills you need for the future. Automate → Augment → Verify → Control After watching, tell us: Which part of your banking role could AI change first?