The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) continues to remind Filipinos about the importance of having a financial cushion—an emergency fund—as it can provide peace of mind during unexpected events like accidents, illnesses, job loss, or natural disasters. Your emergency fund is your financial life jacket.
“Financial preparedness can help reduce anxiety during difficult times. Therefore, saving for an emergency fund should be a priority,” said Jim Ian Bautista, senior research specialist at the BSP North Luzon Regional Office, in an article by the Philippine Information Agency.
According to finance website Investopedia, an emergency fund refers to money stashed away that can be used in times of financial distress. Its purpose is to improve financial security by creating a safety net for unexpected expenses.
This emphasis on the importance of saving is why CIMB Bank Philippines, the most awarded digital-only commercial bank in the country, encourages Filipinos to take the first step in securing their future by starting an emergency fund today.
Here’s how you can get started:
Set a realistic goal
Having the end in mind can be helpful in setting up an emergency fund. Saving for the sake of saving can be tedious in the long run and may not align with the amount you would really need in a pinch. Keep it simple by listing down all your living expenses for the month, covering all the basics. The BSP recommends setting aside three to six months’ worth of expenses. This will help you visualize the amount you’ll work toward and how long it will take you to achieve it, making it more feasible.
To aid you in tracking your progress, implements such as the new Own My Goals (OMG) tool of the CIMB Bank PH mobile app can come in handy. It allows you to create multiple savings goals that can be linked to your desired CIMB savings account, making it easier to see how far you’ve come and the milestones you’ve achieved so far.
“Set and forget”
As soon as you get your sweldo, immediately set aside a portion for your emergency fund. Better yet, automate the transfer to ensure you’ve got it covered. With CIMB’s OMG, you can make use of the auto-save feature to help you set aside a consistent amount and build the discipline of saving up for your financial goals. Immediately setting money aside also staves off the temptation to touch your emergency fund for non-emergency spending.
Earn while you save
Since your funds are only to be used for emergencies, it will spend most of its time stored in your savings account. Consider parking it in a high-interest savings account that will not only keep it safe and accessible but can also help you maximize the interest you can earn.
To aid you in saving up for your emergency fund, using a savings account like CIMB Bank PH’s FastPlus and UpSave savings accounts allows you to easily manage your money while offering better interest rates than most banks. Through the Bank’s special promos, you can also maximize your savings by earning as much as 12% p.a. until April 30, 2025.
Opening a CIMB savings account is simple and can be done entirely on the CIMB mobile app. There is no minimum deposit required, so getting your emergency saving started is made even easier. If you’re a verified GCash user, you can also opt to open a GSave account and link it to the CIMB app for easier management. This also gives you access to the suite of CIMB products and services offered on the CIMB mobile app.
Remember that the earlier you build your emergency fund, the more financially resilient you become. It’s not about having a big salary, it’s about being consistent, intentional, and using the right tools to support your goals.
Build your emergency fund today by opening a CIMB savings account and activating the OMG feature. Visit cimbbank.com.ph for more information or download the CIMB Bank PH mobile app via the App Store, Google Play, or Huawei AppGallery.
