How did you first learn the importance of saving? If you are like me and many Filipinos, your introduction to saving came in the form of a piggy bank or a Disney-themed cylinder or a bamboo alkansiya. We look forward to the change every time we go to the supermarket or the aguinaldo we receive on our birthday and Christmas. We get such a high every time we feel the piggy bank getting heavier and making less noise.
This time-honored value of saving remains as an anchor for some of us who realize that earning money can literally mean blood, sweat and tears especially during challenging moments of our lives. For sure, we have learned about the story of ants and how they save up for the rainy days.
Unfortunately, the discipline of saving is also a struggle for those who believe in making the most out of life’s adventures. The temptation to spend always presents itself in bargains with online sales each month that started only with 11/11 then 12/12, then 1/1, 2/2 and so on. Those who dream of owning a condo unit or driving a car or investing in a farm soon realize that they are nowhere near their #lifegoals.
This pandemic has taught us many lessons. One of which is the importance of financial security because emergencies such as sickness and unemployment can happen to anyone, anytime. Time to heed that nagging voice inside our head and save up for the coming rainy days.
Based on the Census and Economic Information Center (CEIC) data, the country’s gross savings rate in March 2021 further dropped to 7.3 percent, far lower than our neighboring countries, specifically Singapore’s 45.8 percent, Indonesia’s 35.1 percent, Thailand’s 33.3 percent, Hong Kong’s 24.8 percent, Vietnam’s 24.8 percent, and Malaysia’s 24.2 percent.
While a country’s wealth is a major factor, financial literacy and accessibility of financial services hamper most Filipinos’ ability to save and achieve their dreams for the family. This prompted the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) together with local banks to push for more efforts that would promote financial inclusion throughout the country, particularly in the underserved markets. And it is paying off.
According to BSP’s 2019 “Financial Inclusion Survey,” the unbanked adult population in the Philippines has gone down to 71.4 percent, an improvement from 77.4 percent in 2017. Said another way, those with a formal bank account rose from 22.6 percent to 28.6 percent or an equivalent increase of 5.1 million newly banked customers.
In its survey, the central bank found that the primary use of these formal bank accounts is for savings. Even more interesting is the fact that the increase was driven by working adults from rural areas belonging to socioeconomic class E—an indicator that financial inclusion is making significant strides in the lower income groups and areas outside big cities.
The rise in formal bank account penetration tells us that it has become clearer to more Filipinos that setting aside some savings provides financial stability and helps us become better prepared during uncertain times.
When one gets over the hump of practicing the discipline and habit of saving, the next thing to learn is how to make your savings work even harder so you can get more out of the money you have in the bank.
Build up
This month, the country marks the Depositor Protection and Awareness Week (DPAW) from June 16 to 22. DPAW was created under a presidential proclamation to further strengthen depositor confidence in the country’s banking system to complement the government’s thrust of sustaining economic growth.
BSP recognizes that “savings accounts in banks enable people to deposit money for safekeeping while earning interest at the same time. Some banks facilitate savings transactions through technological innovation like electronic money wallets (e-money) or mobile financial services.” Another advantage of deposited money—while safeguarded, insured, and can be withdrawn quickly—is it is able to open up access to other financial services like credit.
Many local banks are offering a wide range of deposit products with various features that would allow customers to grow their money through interest and other benefits. For example, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has Build Updepositproducts, such as the Pamana Savings and Maxi Saver.
Pamana Savings account holders get free life insurance which can pay out up to three times their account balance of up to a maximum of P2 million. The Maxi Saver gives an additional 0.125 percent bonus interest if a client does not make any withdrawal within a month. Other banks may offer other perks that clients can take advantage of.
There are also foreign currency deposit products. These are ideal for people who regularly receive remittances from their loved ones working abroad. These would also work for businessmen who regularly transact with their suppliers, partners, or clients in US dollars, or to freelancers receiving their pay in foreign currency. With $500 as initial deposit, clients can already sign up for a US Dollar Savings in BPI and grow their money.
For those who can afford to keep their money longer, time deposits offer higher rates than regular savings accounts—the longer the tenor, the higher rate. BPI Family Savings Bank has a five-year time deposit that earns as much as 2.175 percent, tax-free. This is perfect for those who are looking to safekeep their money for some future goal such as retirement, home expansion or college tuition.
Other upside
While many of those who open an account use it for savings, there are other functions that can be unlocked with these kinds of products, too. With a debit card option, clients may enjoy convenient in-store and online payments—here and abroad.
When COVID-19 hit, consumers realized the importance of safe and cybersecure digital banking services and platforms to enable them to purchase essentials and conduct transactions from home.
For example, BPI Online and Mobile app customers benefited from security features like one-time PIN (OTP) and transaction notification via email or SMS. Account holders could also adjust their controls to block their card, set transaction limits, enable or disable international access, and enable or disable e-commerce when necessary.
Customers can also use BPI’s Mobile Key as a more secure and convenient alternative to OTPs for authenticating bills payments and funds transfers to unenrolled accounts and to other banks. They can complete these transactions using their nominated PIN code or biometrics such as fingerprint or face ID, guaranteeing that the transaction can only be done by them using their registered device.
Digital banking is the ideal vehicle for us to reach our goal of creating a more financially inclusive nation, especially as smartphone ownership far outpaces the number of bank account holders.
Innovative deposit products that leverage technology can empower Filipinos to become more mindful of their finances, while providing them the tools to make their savings work for them today and tomorrow.
There’s another important advantage to opening a deposit account in a bank. It is insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) up to P500,000. So, you are assured that you have a safety net up to that amount. That’s not something you will get by keeping your money in a piggy bank or alkansya at home.
Given these opportunities, we understand that the current economic reality means that starting a savings account is much harder for people who have to scrape by every day. But we firmly believe in the resourcefulness of Filipinos.
Banks are here to help get you started and show you the right way to genuine financial resiliency. I highly encourage using your time on social media to follow banks’ social media pages where financial education resources are free.
Stay safe and save up for the rainy days, and, yes, for that home you’ve long been dreaming of. From #lifegoals to #lifegoalsachieve, join us to be an ambassador of financial health, be a saver-for-life and a life-saver.
