WHO WE ARE
OUR MISSION
- 123 Finance empowers communities through financial literacy with an interactive, playful, and engaging approach. The company aspires to become a leader in financial education within francophone, anglophone, and bilingual communities.
- Its goal is to bridge the gap between financial education and communities, making knowledge more accessible to everyone.
OUR VISION
- 123 Finance aims to become a global reference in financial education, creating a future where this education is accessible to all, without linguistic or social barriers. We are committed to building autonomous and financially resilient communities, where every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, possesses the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed and sustainable financial decisions.
- 123 Finance wants to reduce financial inequalities, mitigate intergenerational financial trauma, and make financial education an essential pillar of well-being for all communities, by empowering underserved communities, thereby fostering complete and equitable inclusion.
OUR VALUES
- Accessibility: We believe that financial education should be accessible to all, without linguistic or social barriers. Every individual deserves the tools necessary to achieve financial success.
- Inclusivity and Diversity: We value diversity and are committed to meeting the needs of francophone, anglophone, and bilingual communities, taking into account each person's cultural specifics and social realities.
- Empowerment: We seek to encourage individuals to take control of their financial future by providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve their goals.
- Collaboration: We believe in the strength of partnerships. By collaborating with non-profit organizations, universities, and other societal actors, we maximize our impact and resources.
- Equity: We are committed to fighting financial inequalities and mitigating intergenerational financial trauma, ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities for success.
- Community Commitment: We are dedicated to improving the well-being of the communities we serve, adapting our programs, and listening to the needs of our participants.
OUR FOUNDER
Alexia Kitoko
123 Finance is a bilingual Black Woman owned business, founded in June 2024 by myself, Alexia Kitoko.
I was born and raised in Paris, France from Congolese parents. I graduated with a Master Degree Private Banking and Wealth Management from the Université Paris Dauphine in 2015. I then moved to Luxembourg for 2 years to pursue an international co-op program in the reputable bank Natixis Wealth Management and then moved to Toronto, Canada where I worked for about 4 years at RBC Wealth Management. I’m now the Founder, Speaker and Financial Literacy Educator at 123 Finance.
Working with High Net Worth Individuals has always felt natural to me until I realized my calling was somewhere else. I didn’t feel fulfilled by helping rich people become more rich anymore. I rather wanted to gather my energy and knowledge around reducing financial inequalities and intergenerational financial trauma, by bridging the gap between financial literacy and communities and making financial literacy an essential pillar of well-being for all communities. Hence how I started 123 Finance.
My parents did not provide me with a financial education, neither they were. I randomly started my career in bank with a student part-time job at the bank near my childhood’s place. This is where I felt in love with the power of financial literacy and started to educate my family and friends. As a Black person evolving and growing in the banking industry in Europe, I was always part of the minority. In addition, while some of my students mates were gifted by their parents by a studio in Paris, I was expected by my Mum to be the first to access property within my family, which I did.
I graduated in 2015 and bought my first apartment in 2017 at the age of 27. A milestone for me and my family that could not have been achieved without the financial knowledge I had acquired over the years. A knowledge that I want to pass on to the future generations and to anyone that did not have the same privilege I had.
I strongly believe that financial knowledge should be available to everyone and that it is my calling to make it happen with 123 Finance.
