Why financial health matters

In finance, we often focus on numbers: balance sheets, loan portfolios and economic indicators.

- Lito Villanueva

But beyond these figures lies something far more significant: financial health. Just as we safeguard our physical and mental well-being, nurturing our financial health is equally essential.

Financial health transcends the size of our bank accounts or credit scores. It's not about being "rich" or accumulating assets.

Rather, it reflects our ability to manage money effectively to meet present needs, weather financial shocks and work toward future goals.

It is about achieving stability, resilience and ultimately, financial empowerment.

In the Philippines, financial health is taking center stage. Through groundbreaking initiatives such as the Fintech Health Survey, the country has set a regional benchmark for understanding the financial behaviors and needs of both the banked and unbanked populations. This data-driven approach helps dismantle barriers to inclusion and promotes the development of practical solutions tailored to the realities of everyday Filipinos. The Fintech Health Survey is the first industry-specific initiative of its kind in Southeast Asia. It sheds light on our customers' specific behaviors, needs and aspirations.

It is a solid proof of how data-driven surveys can guide us in our mission to empower communities through financial inclusion.

By tracking financial health indicators directly from users, we move from assumptions to evidence. By focusing on this metric, the nation is providing access to financial tools and empowering people to live with dignity and security. The Philippines' success was lauded by Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Financial Health during her visit to the Bagong Pilipinas: The Philippines Country Pavilion at the Singapore FinTech Festival. Queen Maxima called on global fintech associations to follow the Philippines' example in establishing financial health measurements.