Filipinos are trusting credit more than before — but when it comes to their own wallets, optimism is slipping.
The 2025 TransUnion Credit Perception Index (CPI) reveals a sobering picture: fewer Filipinos believe their finances will improve in the near future. Optimism about household finances dropped seven percentage points for the next three months, and eight points for the next year. Even more concerning, only 64% say they can afford their day-to-day needs
At the same time, most Filipinos aren’t sitting still. Instead, they’re adjusting — saving more, learning more, and exploring new financial tools to stay afloat.
A Dip in Confidence
Filipinos are known for resilience, but the CPI data shows cracks in financial confidence:
Short-term outlook: Just 67% believe their situation will improve in the next three months (down -7pp).
Long-term outlook: Confidence about the next year also fell to 76% (down -8pp).
Day-to-day struggles: Only 64% say they can easily afford basic necessities — a worrying flatline from last year despite rising incomes.
In short: many households feel they’re running just to stay in place.
How Filipinos Are Coping
Instead of ignoring financial stress, Filipinos are adapting with practical steps:
Saving more: A massive 84% said they plan to increase their savings this year.
Boosting financial literacy: 68% intend to improve their knowledge, reflecting a growing recognition that education is key.
Exploring digital tools: 64% plan to try new FinTech services, showing that apps and online platforms are becoming part of survival strategies.
Turning to credit: About 38% expect to borrow or use credit to make purchases in the next three months
These numbers suggest that while optimism is down, financial engagement is up — a paradox that speaks to both the challenges and opportunities in the Philippine economy.
Why Optimism Is Falling
The decline in financial confidence doesn’t come from nowhere. Several factors weigh heavily:
Rising costs of living. Inflation makes even basic needs harder to cover, leaving families with less breathing room.
Uncertainty in earnings. While more than seven in ten Filipinos expect income to rise, a growing segment also anticipates earning less — creating a mixed picture of financial stability.
Debt worries. Even as trust in credit improves, concerns about repayment and high interest rates dampen enthusiasm.
Fraud fears. With scams on the rise, Filipinos are cautious about engaging too deeply with financial products.
What This Means for the Future
The shift in optimism has two big implications:
For families: Planning ahead becomes critical. With day-to-day affordability under pressure, saving and budgeting matter more than ever.
For banks and FinTechs: The demand for trustworthy, affordable, and secure financial products is stronger than ever. Institutions that can combine accessibility with protection will win over cautious consumers.
The fact that 84% plan to save more shows a clear opportunity for banks to offer user-friendly savings accounts, high-yield products, and education programs. Meanwhile, the 64% exploring new digital tools signals continued growth for FinTech.
The Bottom Line
Filipinos may be trusting credit more, but that doesn’t mean they feel financially secure. Only 64% say they can afford their daily needs, while optimism about the future has slipped sharply.
Yet, the story isn’t all bleak. By saving more, learning more, and cautiously exploring digital finance, Filipinos are proving their resilience.
The challenge now is for the financial industry to step up — to provide solutions that aren’t just convenient, but also sustainable. Because for many Filipino families, the real question isn’t just “Can I afford today?” It’s “Can I afford my future?”
