What if one million kids were prepared earlier & better for future challenges than any generation before them? What if one million kids laid the foundation of financial literacy today that would influence their lives for years to come? What if one million kids began habits that would help them save at a rate far higher than their parents? What if one million kids learned together and learned from each other? We do not intend merely to ask “what if ” these things should happen. We are determined to design a programme that replaces “what if” with “when”.

For nearly 80 years, the Commonwealth Bank has taught more children the value of money than any other financial institution in Australia. For nearly as long, our commitment to financial education in schools has been symbolised by an iconic 9 by 8 cm tin money box.

But the world has changed, the once simple lessons of personal finance have grown more complex, and the ways children learn have evolved.

To meet these changes and to advance financial education for a new generation of school children, in 2010 we will inaugurate onemillionkids.

“Onemillionkids” is designed to do nothing less than to educate more than 1 million Australian schoolchildren in financial literacy by 2015.

Central to this is the Commonwealth Bank’s investment of $40 million to its School Banking programme as well as the expansion of the Foundation’s StartSmart programme to primary schools.

The goal is big but it is achievable. But it is a goal we cannot accomplish alone. We will reach out to schools, parents and the broader community to help the programme succeed.

To be clear: It will be a free educational and community initiative open to every school child in every part of the country.

We believe financial literacy for all Australians to be a public good. And we believe now is the time to shape the attitudes, understanding and habits of the next generation.

And, as their knowledge and confidence and numbers grow, one million kids will learn they have the ability to plan their own future: together, they will discover the power of one million strong.