High-yield digital banks
SeaBank, Maya, GoTyme, CIMB, Tonik, UnionDigital- Return
- ~3–5% p.a.
- Liquidity
- Instant — withdraw anytime
- Lock-in
- None
- Minimum
- ₱0–₱100
- Tax
- 20% final tax on interest
Best for Emergency fund and money you may need this month.
Where to Invest in the Philippines
Every place your money can grow — from PDIC-insured cash to government bonds, Philippine and global markets, and crypto — with the trade-offs that actually matter: return, risk, liquidity, lock-in, minimum, and tax. This is the companion to PesoPilot's allocation planner.
Educational only — not financial advice, and not a guarantee. Ranges are illustrative and move over time. Confirm any entity is licensed with BSP / SEC / PDIC before investing.
Cash & savings
Liquid and low-risk, PDIC-insured up to ₱1M per bank — where your emergency fund and near-term money belong.
Lower risk
Time deposits
Bank & digital-bank TDs- Return
- ~4–6% p.a.
- Liquidity
- Locked until maturity (early break forfeits interest)
- Lock-in
- 30–360 days
- Minimum
- ₱1,000–₱5,000
- Tax
- 20% final tax on interest
Best for Cash you know you won’t touch for a few months.
Government-backed
Sovereign-backed — the safest place to earn more than a savings account, with MP2 the tax-free standout.
Pag-IBIG MP2
Modified Pag-IBIG II savings- Return
- ~6–7% p.a. (7.12% for 2025), tax-FREE
- Liquidity
- Matures at 5 years (dividends can be annual)
- Lock-in
- 5 years
- Minimum
- ₱500
- Tax
- Tax-free dividends
Best for Medium-term money you want to grow safely and tax-free.
Treasury bills (T-bills)
91 / 182 / 364-day, via Bonds.PH or a broker- Return
- ~5–5.7% p.a.
- Liquidity
- Held to maturity (short terms)
- Lock-in
- 3–12 months
- Minimum
- ~₱5,000 (retail platforms)
- Tax
- 20% final tax on interest
Best for Short-term money you want fully sovereign-backed.
Retail Treasury Bonds (RTBs)
Periodic BTr offerings- Return
- ~6% p.a.
- Liquidity
- Tradable before maturity (price varies)
- Lock-in
- 3–5.5 years
- Minimum
- ₱5,000
- Tax
- 20% final tax (some offers tax-exempt)
Best for Steady medium-term income with government backing.
Philippine market
Ownership in Philippine companies — higher long-term growth, but the value moves up and down. For money you can leave for years.
Index funds & UITFs
PSEi index UITFs, FMETF (index ETF)- Return
- Market-linked (~6–10% long-run, variable)
- Liquidity
- Redeem in a few days (ETF: intraday)
- Lock-in
- None (best held 5+ years)
- Minimum
- ₱1,000–₱10,000
- Tax
- Handled at fund level for UITFs
Best for Hands-off long-term growth without picking stocks.
Individual stocks
PSE-listed shares via COL, BPI Trade, etc.- Return
- Highly variable
- Liquidity
- Sell during market hours
- Lock-in
- None
- Minimum
- A few thousand pesos
- Tax
- 0.6% stock transaction tax on sale + fees
Best for People who will research and accept single-stock risk.
REITs
AREIT, RCR, MREIT and other listed REITs- Return
- ~5–7% dividend yield + price moves
- Liquidity
- Sell during market hours
- Lock-in
- None
- Minimum
- A few thousand pesos
- Tax
- Dividend tax applies
Best for Property-style income without buying a whole property.
Global
Exposure beyond the Philippines — spreads your risk across the world’s biggest companies. Best as a long-term core.
Global / US index feeder funds & ETFs
S&P 500 / global feeder UITFs, GStocks PH- Return
- Market-linked (~7–10% long-run, variable, in USD)
- Liquidity
- Redeem in a few days
- Lock-in
- None (best held 5+ years)
- Minimum
- A few thousand pesos
- Tax
- Varies by vehicle; watch FX
Best for Diversifying beyond the PH for the long haul.
Alternative
High-risk, high-volatility. Only ever a small, capped slice of money you can afford to lose entirely.
Crypto
BTC, ETH via a licensed VASP- Return
- Extremely variable — can lose most of its value
- Liquidity
- Sell anytime (prices swing hard)
- Lock-in
- None
- Minimum
- Any amount
- Tax
- Gains are taxable
Best for A small, capped allocation for risk-tolerant investors only.
Frequently asked questions
Where should a beginner start?
Cover your emergency fund in a high-yield digital bank first. Then, for money you won’t need for years, MP2 (tax-free) and a low-cost index fund are the two most common beginner picks. Only add stocks or crypto once the basics are in place.
What’s the safest way to earn more than a savings account?
Government-backed options — Pag-IBIG MP2 (tax-free, 5-year lock) and Treasury bills — earn more than most savings accounts with very low risk. Time deposits and high-yield digital banks are the liquid, PDIC-insured alternatives.
How much of my money should be in crypto?
Treat crypto as a small, capped slice you can afford to lose entirely — many keep it to 5–10% of investments at most. It should never hold your emergency fund or money you need soon.
Are these returns guaranteed?
No. Cash and government options have fixed or stable rates, but market investments (stocks, index funds, REITs, crypto) move up and down and can lose value. Every figure here is illustrative and not a promise of returns.
Put it to work
- Money Control Center — see your target mix and where your next ₱30K should go.
- Investment Simulator — project any monthly amount over 20 years.
- MP2 vs Time Deposit · Best digital-bank rates · How to start investing
Educational only — not financial, investment, or tax advice, and not a guarantee. All figures are illustrative and change over time; market investments can lose value. Confirm any product or entity is licensed with the BSP, SEC, or PDIC and consult a licensed professional before investing.