Real People, Real Stories

Building financial confidence through honest education

We started varintuuma because too many people felt lost when it came to banking and money management. Our approach? Skip the jargon, focus on what actually works, and build skills that make a real difference in everyday life.

How We Got Here

Back in 2019, our founder Kiera was working at a major bank when she noticed something troubling. Customers would come in confused about basic banking concepts, feeling embarrassed to ask questions. The system wasn't working for regular people.

That's when we decided to do something different. Instead of complicated financial advice, we'd focus on practical banking education. The kind that helps you understand your statements, choose the right accounts, and actually use banking tools effectively.

Today, we're a team of twelve people who believe financial education should be accessible, honest, and genuinely helpful. No fancy promises – just solid skills you can use right away.

Banking education workshop session with participants learning practical financial skills

Our Teaching Philosophy

We've learned that effective financial education happens when people can connect new concepts to their actual banking experiences

Start Small, Build Up

We begin with the banking basics you use every week – checking accounts, deposits, transfers – then gradually introduce more complex concepts as confidence grows.

Real-World Practice

Every lesson includes hands-on activities using actual banking scenarios. We practice with real forms, real apps, and real decisions you'll face outside class.

Personal Support

Everyone learns differently. Our instructors work with you individually to address specific questions and help you master concepts at your own pace.

What Students Actually Experience

Here's what typically happens during our six-month banking education program, based on feedback from recent graduates

Month 1-2: Foundation Building

Students often tell us they finally understand their bank statements and feel confident asking questions at their bank. Many discover they've been paying unnecessary fees and learn how to avoid them going forward.

Month 3-4: Practical Skills

This is when people start using mobile banking effectively and setting up automated payments. We hear a lot of "I wish I'd known this years ago" during these sessions – which honestly makes our day.

Month 5-6: Advanced Applications

By the end, students are comparing loan options, understanding credit reports, and making informed decisions about financial products. The confidence change is remarkable to witness.

Learning That Fits Your Life

We know everyone has different schedules and learning preferences. That's why we've built multiple ways to engage with our banking education content.

Evening workshops for people who work during the day – we run sessions Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9 PM
Weekend intensives that cover a full module in one Saturday morning, perfect for busy schedules
One-on-one coaching for people who prefer individual attention or have specific banking challenges
Take-home resources including checklists and guides you can reference when you're actually at the bank

Diverse group of adults participating in financial literacy workshop with learning materials

Meet Our Lead Educator

The person behind our practical approach to banking education brings both professional experience and genuine care for student success.

Zaylee Chen

Director of Education

Zaylee spent eight years in retail banking before joining varintuuma in 2021. She's the one who developed our step-by-step approach to teaching banking concepts. Her favorite part of the job? Watching people have those "aha" moments when complex banking terms suddenly make sense. When she's not teaching, you'll find her hiking around Newcastle or trying new coffee shops.