Finsyal — Compare financial products in the Philippines

Articles & news

Guides, explainers and market updates for Filipinos.

0% deals: where's the catch? Usually, it's the fees

0% downpayment, 0% interest, pay nothing today — the most tempting numbers in lending. But 0% is a headline, not the whole price. Here's how a 5% fee can quietly cost you more than an honest 6% interest, and how to spot the catch before you sign.

By Maria Santos · 31 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Loans

What happens if you don't pay your loan — and why your credit history is worth protecting

Missing loan payments does more than add late fees — it follows you. Here's what really happens when you default in the Philippines, how your credit record works, and why paying on time is one of the best financial moves you can make.

28 Aug 2026 · 7 min read

Loans

Refinancing and debt consolidation in the Philippines: swap expensive debt for a cheaper loan

One lower-rate loan can replace several expensive debts — if the new effective rate really is lower. Here's how balance transfers and debt-consolidation loans work, and which PH banks offer them.

22 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Credit cards

Credit cards made simple: the grace period and how to pay (almost) no interest

Used right, a credit card charges you zero interest. The secret is the grace period — and avoiding the minimum-payment trap. Here's how it works in plain language.

21 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Safety

Loan scams that make you pay first: how the advance-fee trap works

You're 'approved' — but first you must pay a processing fee, insurance or 'release fee'. That's the scam. Here's how it works, the emotional tricks scammers use, and the one rule that keeps you safe.

21 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Insurance

How insurance works in the Philippines — and when it actually pays out

You pay a premium so the insurer pays a benefit when a covered event happens. Here's how life and health insurance work, and the conditions that decide whether a claim pays.

21 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Insurance

Why insurance claims get denied — and how to avoid it

Most denied claims come down to a handful of avoidable reasons: non-disclosure, a lapsed policy, an exclusion or missing documents. Here's how to keep your cover working.

21 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Loans

What happens after you submit a loan application?

From verification calls to release of funds — here's the step-by-step of what a lender does after you apply, how long each stage takes, and how to avoid delays.

21 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Deposits

How deposit interest is taxed in the Philippines

A 5% time deposit doesn't put 5% in your pocket. A 20% final tax is withheld on peso interest — here's how it works, the rates for peso, dollar and long-term deposits, and how to compare net yields.

21 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Loans

Hidden loan fees in the Philippines: what to check before you sign

The interest rate is only half the story. Processing fees, upfront deductions and pre-termination penalties can make a 'lower rate' loan the more expensive one. Here's what to look for.

21 Aug 2026 · 7 min read

Loans

What is the effective annual rate (EAR) — and why it isn't the rate banks advertise

The EAR is the one number that shows a loan's true yearly cost, fees and all. It's legally required to be disclosed — but it's rarely the figure on the poster. Here's how to find and use it.

21 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Loans

0.5% monthly add-on vs 12% p.a.: which is cheaper?

A 0.5% monthly add-on looks like 6% a year — half of 12% p.a. But once you convert both to their effective rate, they're almost the same. Here's the full math.

21 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Safety

Fake government app scams: how bogus SSS, eGov and bank apps drain your account

Scammers pose as SSS, eGov or your bank, push you to install an 'official' app, then quietly empty your accounts while you think you're just logging in. Here's how the trap works and how to stop it.

21 Aug 2026 · 7 min read

Loans

How monthly add-on interest works in the Philippines

A '1.5% per month' add-on rate isn't 18% a year — it's closer to double. Here's how add-on interest is computed, a worked example, and how to compare loans fairly.

20 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Guides

How Filipinos' Choice ratings actually work

Every rating on Finsyal comes from verified customers — not advertisers. Here's how we collect, verify and weight reviews.

6 Aug 2026 · 4 min read

Loans

Personal loan or salary loan? A quick comparison

They look similar, but the eligibility, rates and release times are different. A short guide for first-time borrowers.

2 Aug 2026 · 5 min read

Deposits

Time deposits vs digital savings in 2026

Digital banks are pushing yields up. Here's how classic time deposits compare on rate, access and safety.

28 Jul 2026 · 4 min read

Safety

Avoiding online lending scams: 7 red flags

Upfront fees, pressure tactics and no fixed address are warning signs. Learn to spot an illegitimate lender fast.

20 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Financial headlines from official sources

Curated links — read the full story at the source.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

BSP rate decisions and consumer advisories

The central bank's media room publishes policy-rate decisions, inflation updates and consumer-protection advisories that directly affect borrowers and savers. Check it to confirm any rate or scam news before you act.

Read at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ↗Philippine News Agency

Business & economy desk of the Philippine News Agency

PNA is the government's news service; its business desk covers the economy, banking, and OFW finance, and its content is freely citable. A solid place to verify a financial story before you rely on it.

Read at Philippine News Agency ↗