BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. on Friday pledged to further expand access to financial services following a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing increased financial account ownership among Filipinos.
In a news release, the BSP cited results of the SWS survey conducted in the first quarter of the year, which showed that 58 percent of adults aged 18 and above own a financial account.
“This is higher than the 51 percent recorded for the same age group in the 2025 BSP Consumer Finance and Inclusion Survey,” the central bank said.
The BSP noted that the increase in account ownership “was observed across all geographic areas, income groups, and education levels.”
“About one in three respondents without an account said that another household member owns one,” it added.
The survey also found that 43 percent of adult respondents own an electronic money (e-money) account, while 21 percent said they have a bank account.
“Among those without a financial account, the most common barriers cited were lack of money, unemployment, and limited knowledge of how to open an account,” the BSP said.
With the survey results, Remolona said the regulator “will continue to broaden access to financial services.”
“This will enable more Filipinos to save, manage their expenses, and improve their overall financial health,” he added.
The central bank also authorized banks to allocate funds for lending during periods of financial stress through the Positive Neutral Countercyclical Capital Buffer.
“The reform will strengthen the country’s financial stability as it enables banks to set aside capital that can be released in bad times to keep credit flowing to households and firms,” Remolona said.
