Kina Bank has reinforced its commitment to driving innovation, competition and better customer outcomes in Papua New Guinea’s financial sector as the major sponsor of the Innovation PNG Awards.

Speaking during a Q&A session at the awards event, Kina Bank CEO and Managing Director Ivan Vidovich highlighted the critical link between innovation, fair competition and improved banking services for customers across the country.

“Innovation is not just about technology for its own sake — it’s about delivering better outcomes for customers,” said Mr Vidovich. “When competition is open and fair, it drives banks to improve accessibility, enhance customer experience, and reduce the cost of banking services.”

Mr Vidovich outlined how Kina Bank’s 2030 strategy is anchored in responding to the rapidly evolving financial services landscape, with a strong pipeline of digital and product innovation already delivered.

“Over the past six months, we have launched a new personal online banking platform and mobile app, introduced our corporate bond, and rolled out Pei Beta, our digital wallet,” he said. “We will soon deliver a completely new corporate online banking platform, which will significantly enhance services for businesses of all sizes.”

A key theme of Mr Vidovich’s remarks was the importance of interoperability across payment systems — a global standard that ensures customers can transact seamlessly regardless of their bank.

“Interoperability is fundamental to a well-functioning financial system,” he said. “Customers should have the freedom to transact easily across ATMs, EFTPOS networks and online platforms, and this is enabled through common, internationally recognised standards.”

Mr Vidovich noted that most banks in Papua New Guinea have already adopted secure, schemecompliant payment cards — such as Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay — which support seamless transactions across the banking ecosystem.

“Alignment to these standards strengthens security, enhances convenience, and most importantly, supports a level playing field,” he said. “We believe all participants in the market should operate within consistent frameworks that promote competition and innovation.”

Kina Bank also reaffirmed its focus on delivering practical benefits to customers, including competitive pricing and improved accessibility.

“We are focused on delivery — demonstrating that Kina, as an established full-service bank, is not just an alternative, but a challenger to the status quo in PNG banking,” Mr Vidovich said. “That means pushing harder on the issues that matter to customers – lower transaction fees, seamless interoperability, and real choice in how and where they access their money. We are deliberately setting a high bar, for both ourselves and for the market.”

As a leading supporter of the Innovation PNG Awards, Kina Bank continues to champion initiatives that recognise and promote forward-thinking solutions across industries.

“Innovation is vital to Papua New Guinea’s economic future,” Mr Vidovich added. “We are proud to support platforms like the Innovation PNG Awards that celebrate new ideas and encourage progress across the country.”

Kina Bank CEO & Managing Director Ivan Vidovich speaking during the opening of the Innovation Awards.

Kina Bank was pleased to once again support RISE PNG through its recent entrepreneurship workshop, “I Build My Pathway,” held on Saturday, 19 April 2026, at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby.

This marks the second time Kina Bank has supported RISE PNG, reinforcing its commitment to advancing financial inclusion, financial literacy, and women’s economic empowerment in Papua New Guinea.

RISE PNG is a mentorship and development programme focused on empowering young women through education, leadership development, and entrepreneurship. The programme connects students with mentors and provides practical learning experiences that help build confidence, life skills, and pathways into future careers and business opportunities.

The workshop brought together 40 mentees and 20 mentors, with participating students from Tokarara Secondary School, Marianville Secondary School and Gordon’s Secondary School.

The workshop focused on career exposure and entrepreneurship, introducing participants to a wide range of career opportunities across both conventional and technical or vocational pathways. It also emphasised the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset encouraging the girls to recognise that they can start where they are, with what they have, and begin building toward their aspirations.

A major highlight of the workshop was the launch of the mentees’ entrepreneurial journey. The students were divided into eight groups of five, with each group receiving a K200 business loan from Kina Bank to start and manage their own small businesses through to their graduation in September 2026. This hands-on experience provides valuable real-life application of the skills, lessons, and leadership principles developed throughout their RISE journey.

Kina Bank was represented at the workshop by Martina Toulogu, Head of Operations, who attended as a guest speaker. Ms Toulogu shared her personal career journey and experience within the financial sector, including her pathway to leadership at Kina Bank. Her story inspired strong engagement from participants, many of whom asked questions about career development and opportunities within the financial services industry.

“Kina Bank is proud to support RISE PNG again this year because their work aligns strongly with our values,” said Ivan Vidovich, CEO & Managing Director. “Investing in women and youth creates stronger families, communities, and a stronger economy.”

Founder and Director of RISE PNG Michelle Pillay said, “Kina Bank’s continued partnership and support play a critical role in delivering practical, impactful programmes that equip young women with the confidence and tools to pursue their ambitions”.

Toulogu presenting the RISE PNG mentees with K200 loans during the workshop.

Kina Bank has supported Lakira Primary School in the Southern Highlands Province with the donation of a 5,000-litre water tank under its Strongim Komuniti Grant (SKG) program, improving access to clean and reliable water for students and staff. The project was led by Kina Bank staff member Sylvia Kotapu, who played a key role in coordinating the initiative and ensuring the donation addressed the school’s specific needs.

“As a member of this community, I have personally observed the dedication and resilience of our teachers, as well as the daily hardships faced by both staff and students, particularly in relation to water accessibility,” said Sylvia.

Located in a remote part of the Southern Highlands, Lakira Primary School serves children from surrounding rural communities where access to basic services, including safe water, remains a significant challenge.  

The new water tank will help address daily water shortages, supporting a healthier learning environment and easing the burden on both students and teachers.

Headmaster, Mr. Andrew Ambuya, on behalf of the school, teachers, students, and the wider community, expressed sincere appreciation to Kina Bank for the support.

“This contribution makes a real difference to our school. Access to clean water has always been a challenge, and this support will greatly improve the wellbeing of our students and staff. We are truly grateful to Kina Bank for this assistance,” Mr. Ambuya said.

The water tank was successfully collected and delivered to the school on 11 March 2026, marking an important signpost for the school and surrounding community.

Kina Bank’s Strongim Komuniti Grant program is an internal staff-driven initiative designed to support community-based projects across Papua New Guinea. The program provides an opportunity for Kina Bank employees to give back to their home communities by nominating and leading meaningful projects that address real local needs.

Through the Kina Bank’s SKG program, staff take an active role in identifying priority areas such as education, health, and community development, ensuring that support reaches places where it can have the greatest impact.

Figure 1 Students and teachers of Lakira Primary School posing and using the connected water tank.

Kina Bank has delivered an outstanding performance at the Red Shield Appeal Charity Golf Day, with its two participating teams finishing among the top three in a competitive field of 32 teams representing various organisations.

The charity golf event, held at the Port Moresby Golf Club on Friday 17th April, brought together corporate and community teams in support of the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal. The tournament was officially teed off by Governor-General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae.

Kina Bank Team 1 secured second place overall, while Kina Bank Team 2 claimed third place, demonstrating strong teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the competition against teams from across the business community.

Mr Simon Kepu, General Manager Treasury Sales – Treasury C Wholesale Banking, who represented Kina Bank at the event and presented the cheque of K7,000.00 said the participation reflected the Bank’s commitment to both community support and teamwork.

“We are proud of how our teams performed on the day, finishing among the top 3 teams in a strong field of 32 competitors. More importantly, this event gave us an opportunity to come together with other organisations to support the Salvation Army’s vital work in our communities,” Mr Kepu said.

The event served as a platform not only for friendly competition but also to raise vital funds for the Salvation Army. Proceeds from the day will go towards supporting Salvation Army Safe Houses, which provide critical services including safe accommodation, counselling, food assistance, and support for individuals and families affected by gender-based violence.

Kina Bank remains proud to support initiatives that make a meaningful impact in communities and contribute to important social causes across Papua New Guinea.

Kina Bank Team 1 with Team Marsh.

Kina Bank Teams 1 & 2 with Chairman Ian Clough.

Kina Bank has donated much needed essential supplies and clinic support items to Rabaul Town Clinic, as part of its ongoing commitment to improving access to basic healthcare services for communities in East New Britain Province. 

This support was made possible through Kina Bank’s Strongim Komuniti Grant (SKG) program. 

Coronation Tarutia, a Teller at Kina Bank Kokopo Branch who nominated the project through the SKG program said “Rabaul Town Clinic serves a large number of people in the community, and I recognised a need for additional essential support items. Through the SKG program, I wanted to help contribute to improving the services they provide.” 

Located within Rabaul township, the clinic plays a key role in providing essential healthcare to surrounding communities. The items donated included cleaning supplies, janitorial equipment and materials and other housekeeping items. 

The items were officially handed over to Sister Jessie Kalua, the sister-in-Charge of Rabaul Town Clinic, on behalf of the clinic’s staff and management team. 

Speaking during the handover, Sister Kalua said, “These essential items will provide support in maintaining the clinic’s cleanliness and wellbeing, creating a conducive environment for both patients and staff.” 

The SKG program is a staff-driven initiative that allows employees to support community projects in the areas where they live and work. Since it began, the program has backed a range of grassroots initiatives across Papua New Guinea, particularly in health, education, and community wellbeing. 

Through initiatives like this, Kina Bank continues to support local communities and contribute to strengthening essential services across the country. 

Kina Bank Kokopo Team presenting donation to the Rabaul Clinic staff.

Kina Bank joined fellow corporate organisations at the first Corporate Va’a Challenge for 2026, hosted by the Papua New Guinea Canoeing Association, held on Saturday, 2 May at Ela Beach.

Kina Bank was proudly represented by three teams, a mixed team, a men’s team and a women’s team, demonstrating strong participation across all categories.

Kina Bank’s team delivered an outstanding performance on the water, securing first place in the Mixed, ahead of four other teams. While the men’s did not finish in the top three, the women’s team finished second in the final race. Both teams performed commendably and represented Kina Bank with pride, determination and strong team sprit throughout the competition.

Beyond the competition, the Corporate Va’a Challenge carries a deeper purpose. Funds raised from the event go towards supporting Papua New Guinea’s national canoeing team as they prepare for the Pacific Games in Tahiti in 2027. Kina Bank is proud to contribute to this important cause while fostering a culture of wellness and collaboration among its staff.

Leading the team on the day, Kina Bank’s Head of Talent & Development, Eddie Sukanaivalu, highlighted the significance of the event saying, “It was a fantastic experience to see our team come together outside the workplace, pushing each other and representing Kina with pride. Events like this not only promote health and teamwork but also allow us to support a greater national goal.”

Kina Bank remains committed to supporting community initiatives and looks forward to participating in the next Corporate Va’a Challenge scheduled for June.

Mixed Division Winners.

Kina Bank’s men’s team during the final race.

Kina Bank has shown its support for animal welfare with a donation of essential pet supplies by CEO’s office to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) on Friday 24 April.

The donated items included pet food, pillows, blankets and toys, which are essential to the daily care and wellbeing of animals at the shelter. Senior Veterinary Nurse Ms. Jasmine Mileng received the items on behalf of RSPCA.

“On behalf of RSPCA, we sincerely thank Kina Bank for this thoughtful donation,” Ms Mileng said.

“These items will make a real difference in caring for the animals at our shelter and ensuring they are comfortable while they wait to find their forever homes.”

“This is a small gesture, but one we hope will go a long way in supporting the care of the animals housed at RSPCA,” said Chief of Staff, Mr Mackhenly Kaiok. “We appreciate the important work the RSPCA team does and are pleased to contribute in a practical way while these animals await adoption and new homes.”

The donation is one of many community initiatives carried out by Kina Bank staff, reflecting their commitment to making a positive impact in the communities they serve.

Ms. Nomina Libitino presents the donation to RSPCA’s Senior Veterinary Nurse Ms. Jasmin Mileng, alongside Kina Bank team members.

Kina Bank has donated essential items to the Watut Health Centre in Bulolo District, Morobe province, through its Strongim Komuniti Grant program.

The SKG program is part of Kina Bank’s commitment to sustainability and community development. It is open only to Kina Bank employees, who can apply for quarterly grants to support small but meaningful community projects.

The donation included solar lighting kits, torches with diffusers, water filters and ceramic mugs.

Kina Bank’s Senior Manager Partnerships for Payments and Digital Banking, Ms. Kaia Toua, who was successful with her grant application to support the health centre said, “I learned through social media about the challenges faced by people in Bulolo when accessing health services at night, where health workers relied on handheld torches to attend to patients. This situation prompted me to apply for the SKG grant to make Health Centre delivery safer and more convenient for both health workers and the community.”

“We are proud to support the health centre through this program and ensure healthcare workers are better equipped to do what they do best, care for their communities,” she said.

The items were formally handed over to Officer-in-Charge, Mr. Emos Isei, in the presence of the Watut LLG Manager, health centre staff and Kina Bank representatives.

“Thank you, Kina Bank.  Through your Strongim Komuniti Grant program, these items will significantly improve the working conditions for us, particularly during night-time operations. Prior to this support, we relied heavily on basic handheld torches when attending to patients after hours, limiting our ability to respond effectively to emergencies,” Mr. Isei said.

Since the SKG program launched in 2023, it has supported various community projects across PNG, including supplying water tanks to schools, providing learning materials, donating medical supplies to rural areas, delivering school furniture, and installing solar power at health facilities.

Kina Bank Lae Team presenting the donated items to Watut Health Centre staff.

Kina Securities Limited (KSL) has marked a major milestone for Papua New Guinea’s financial sector with the listing of its inaugural corporate bond on the PNGX Debt Market, the first listed corporate bond issued in the country. 

The listing was formally recognised at an event in Port Moresby on Wednesday 06th May, bringing together key stakeholders from across the financial sector, regulators, and development partners. The strong attendance underscored the significance of the transaction for the continued development of PNG’s capital markets. 

Attendees included the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG), the Securities Commission of Papua New Guinea (SCPNG), and PNGX Markets Limited, demonstrating strong institutional support for the growth of the domestic debt market. 

KSL acknowledged the critical roles played by PNGX and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in establishing the Debt Market framework that enabled the listing. The company also recognised the regulatory and policy support provided by the BPNG and the SCPNG. The involvement of IFC highlights the importance of international development partners in advancing capital market depth and financial sector diversification in Papua New Guinea. 

The bond follows KSL’s earlier announcement of its unsecured subordinated bond issuance, intended to qualify as Tier 2 Capital under the BPNG’s Prudential Standards. Proceeds from the bond will be used for general corporate purposes, strengthening Kina’s capital position and supporting its long-term growth. 

As the first corporate bond listed on the PNGX Debt Market, the transaction represents a significant step towards expanding financing options for companies beyond traditional bank lending and equity markets. It also broadens the range of investment products available to eligible wholesale investors in Papua New Guinea. 

KSL CEO and Managing Director, Ivan Vidovich, said the successful listing reflects growing confidence in PNG’s financial system. 

“This achievement demonstrates the maturity of Papua New Guinea’s regulatory and market infrastructure and sets an important precedent for other corporates considering capital markets funding through debt issuance,” Mr Vidovich said. 

The Government of Papua New Guinea has also welcomed the milestone, noting the strong collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing capital market reforms. Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, described the issuance as a defining moment for the country’s capital markets, highlighting growing investor confidence and the impact of ongoing regulatory developments. 

The bond was listed following all necessary regulatory approvals and being available exclusively to eligible wholesale investors in accordance with the PNGX wholesale corporate bond framework. The Information Memorandum was distributed strictly to investors who met the applicable regulatory criteria. 

The successful listing reinforces KSL’s role as a pioneer in PNG’s financial sector and highlights its contribution to the continued growth and sophistication of the country’s capital markets.  

Kina Securities CEO and Managing Director, Ivan Vidovich, receives congratulations from PNGX Chairman David Lawrence, joined by Kina Securities team members and key stakeholders at the bond listing event.

Kina Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship by continuing its support of the Innovation PNG Awards 2026, where it is a Major Sponsor of the Innovation PNG Award for Small Business. 

Building on its support in 2025, Kina Bank’s support this year reflects its ongoing support toward small businesses in Papua New Guinea. 

Kina Bank Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director Ivan Vidovich said “Innovation is essential to building resilient and competitive businesses, particularly in the small business sector.” 

He added that by continuing to support the Innovation PNG Awards, Kina Bank is proud to recognise entrepreneurs who are solving real problems, thinking creatively, and contributing to Papua New Guinea’s economic future.  

The Innovation PNG Award for Small Business recognises outstanding innovation from businesses with fewer than 10 employees, celebrating enterprises that develop new products, services, technologies, or ways of working that create real impact. The category highlights the important role small businesses play in driving economic activity, creating jobs, and strengthening local communities. 

The winners of the 2026 Innovation PNG Awards will be announced at the Innovation PNG Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, following the shortlist reveal at the TechBrek breakfast event in May. 

Kina Bank CEO & Managing Director Ivan Vidovich in a panel discussion at the 2025 Innovation Conference