Anything can happen in a years-long pandemic and it pays to store your money in an account that can be accessed physically and digitally. Long lines and restrictions can deter you from visiting a branch, and banks have adjusted to accommodate the Filipino looking to securely open an account from the safety of their own homes.
Requirements such as IDs, forms, and verification are all part of the process to ensure the security of your money. While some banks rely on just photos or scans of documents, some may require online calls or other verification steps. If you’ve got cash you want to stow away, consider the following digital savings services.
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You can open a savings account online at these banks:
BPI
To open a savings account, download the BPI mobile banking app and tap "Open a new account", and tap "Create a bank account".
Fill out your details and choose from the account options. Selfies and photos of your valid ID must be submitted. Once approved, you must fund the account within seven days via cash deposit machines, at BPI branches, or via InstaPay or PESONet.
BDO
Visit the BDO website and apply for the account of your choice. You’ll have to submit digital files of the following:
- Two valid IDs with signature
- Selfie holding valid ID with photo and signature
- Photo of three signatures
To verify your identity, a BDO agent will meet you via Zoom. Once approved, you have to fund your account within seven days of opening via deposit machine, InstaPay or PESONet, or at any BDO branch.
Minimum initial deposit is P2,000, with a minimum average daily balance of P2,000.
Unionbank
To open a Unionbank account from the safety of your own home, you must first download the app and click “OPEN AN ACCOUNT.” You can choose your type of savings account with a debit card. There is no opening deposit or maintaining balance.
You’ll then fill out forms for your information, including phone numbers and e-mails. You also have to upload a selfie, photos of IDs, and your signature.
Once submitted and approved, you can begin using the account.
Robinsons Bank
You can open a Robinsons Bank account via the RBank Sign-Up App, which is free for download on iOS and Android. You’ll have to take a selfie and snap a photo of a valid ID, after which you’ll fill out a form and verify your mobile number.
Funding the account can be done online or via InstaPay or PESONet transfer. The Simplé Savings type of account requires an initial deposit of only P100 and no maintaining balance. A physical card can be issued for P150. Do take note that the maximum account balance is P45,000.
The full RBank Savings account has an opening and maintaining balance of P2,000. The account comes with a VISA and has an average daily balance requirement of P10,000.
Maybank
Maybank offers iSave, a fully online bank account, with no initial deposit and no maintaining balance. Proof of identification and forms can be accessed on Maybank2U PH App. To get an ATM card, clients are required to make a deposit of at least P1,000. The card and pin will be delivered within 10 banking days.
Account holders can withdraw from any Bancnet ATM in the Philippines for free. The account will also be accessible via any Maybank ATM in Malaysia, Singapore, and Cambodia with no charge and low conversion rate.
iSave accounts still need verification via Zoom or Skype, which is done within 12 months of opening Maybank within 12 months upon opening. Account have a maximum deposit limit of PhP 100,000.
GSave
Gcash’s savings account service, GSave, is run in partnership with CIMB Bank. The account can be opened in-app with no initial deposit or maintaining balance.
You can cash in through GCash’s suite of transfer services, or you can deposit via any of CIMB’s 17,000 partner locations nationwide. Accounts have an interest rate of 2.6% per annum.
Clients are required to be 18 years old and above, be verified GCash users, be Philippine citizen and non-U.S. person, and have at least one valid government-issued ID.
Tonik
Neobanks are purely digital and have no physical branches or in-person operations. All accounts and transactions are done online via app. To open an account with Tonik, you’ll have to download the app, fill out your details, and take selfies and photos of IDs.
A digital debit card can be used for online purchases, and a physical card is available upon request for P300.
To fund the account, you can cash in over the counter or use bank transfers via InstaPay or PESONet. Tonik accounts have an interest rate of 1% per annum.
ING
There is no minimum and maintaining balance for ING bank accounts, which can be opened solely through its app. Forms, documents, and proof of identity will be submitted in-app as well. There is no lock-in period and transfer fees.
You can fund the account via InstaPay or PESONext, or mobile check deposit. Enjoy a high interest rate of up to 2.5% per annum, along with other interest promos.
