New
New
Year 11

How is the financial system changing in a digital era?

I can explain how banking has changed over time and what effect these changes are having on society.

New
New
Year 11

How is the financial system changing in a digital era?

I can explain how banking has changed over time and what effect these changes are having on society.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Banking in the UK has evolved from traditional branch services to widespread online banking.
  2. Technological advances such as ATMs, debit cards and mobile apps have transformed financial management.
  3. This shift has increased risks, notably online fraud and challenges linked to an ageing population.
  4. Online banking has improved accessibility for some people but also deepened the digital divide.
  5. Government initiatives now focus on regulation, education and community support to address these issues.

Keywords

  • Online banking - a secure place to store, manage and access money, allowing deposits, withdrawals, transfers and payments through the internet

  • Online fraud - when someone acts, lies or breaks trust to gain money or cause a loss through the internet

Common misconception

Older people cannot use online banking at all.

With the right support and training, many older people have adapted very well to online banking. It is prejudiced to assume all older people struggle.


To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: How is the financial system changing in a digital era?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Before starting the main activities, ask pupils to share one way they, or someone they know, use banking today. Write a few examples on the board. This builds an instant connection between pupils' real lives and the topic and makes the changes in banking feel more meaningful and relatable.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the definition with the keyword
Correct Answer:money borrowed that must be paid back,loan

loan

Correct Answer:money that earns more money over time,savings

savings

Correct Answer:a plan to manage your money and spending,budget

budget

Q2.
What is considered a financial skill?
Correct answer: understanding interest rates
understanding computer programming
understanding website design
understanding online shopping
Q3.
If you spend more money than you have, you will go into ...
Correct Answer: debt
Q4.
Which group might find it harder to use modern financial tools like online banking without support?
young people
Correct answer: elderly people
athletic people
Q5.
Order these words to make a full sentence about banking online.
1 - Banking
2 - apps
3 - are now
4 - more
5 - popular than
6 - visiting
7 - banks.
Q6.
What is an example of earning income?
paying a bill
Correct answer: receiving wages
buying groceries
transferring money to a friend

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word with its definition.
Correct Answer:online banking,a secure place to manage money through the internet

a secure place to manage money through the internet

Correct Answer:ATM,a machine first introduced in the 1960s to withdraw cash

a machine first introduced in the 1960s to withdraw cash

Correct Answer:online fraud,a criminal act to steal money via the internet

a criminal act to steal money via the internet

Q2.
Online banking has helped people living in areas access financial services more easily.
Correct Answer: rural, village, remote
Q3.
What is an example of a technological advance that transformed banking?
cheques
Correct answer: debit cards
interviews at banks
printed telephone books
Q4.
Which statement is correct about older people and online banking?
Older people cannot use online banking at all.
Older people cannot use phones and therefore cannot bank online.
Correct answer: Some older people have adapted well to online banking.
Most banks do not allow older people to open accounts.
Q5.
Increased use of technology in banking has widened the digital for some groups in society.
Correct Answer: divide
Q6.
Which UK Government initiative helps protect people from online fraud?
Correct answer: strict refund rules for banks
higher fees for cash withdrawals
lower interest on credit cards
using your mobile data for banking apps