The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has welcomed the results of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which revealed that more than half of Filipino adults now own formal financial accounts. The survey found that account ownership among Filipinos aged 18 and above rose to 58 percent in the first quarter of 2026, surpassing the 51 percent recorded for the same age group in the BSP's 2025 Consumer Finance and Inclusion Survey.
Higher ownership across demographics
The survey showed increased account ownership across geographic areas, income groups, and education levels. Notably, about one in three respondents without an account reported that another household member owns one. Among adults surveyed, 43 percent owned an e-money account, while 21 percent had a bank account.
Barriers to account ownership
Respondents without financial accounts cited lack of money, unemployment, and limited knowledge on how to open an account as the main barriers. The BSP continues to address these challenges through financial education programs and the Paleng-QR Ph Plus initiative, which also supports on-site account opening activities.
BSP's commitment to financial inclusion
BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. said, “The BSP will continue to broaden access to financial services. This will enable more Filipinos to save, manage their expenses, and improve their overall financial health.” The SWS survey complements the BSP's 2025 survey, which also showed improvements in Filipinos' financial literacy.
The BSP noted that the SWS rider questions provided insights into public awareness and sentiment on economic and financial issues, helping the central bank refine its education and communication initiatives and monitor the effectiveness of its programs.
