Empowering Financial Literacy

The Philippines is awaiting a decision from J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. on the potential return of its local-currency government bonds to a flagship emerging market index, a move that could draw billions of dollars in foreign inflows.

Read full story in the comments.

This is why we promote insurance. When the breadwinner becomes sick, income stops and worse if critically ill, then their family life savings will go to medical treatment and care.
If you are not yet protected, consider getting insured now while you’re still healthy and income generating.

A GoFundMe account set up for the family of James Van Der Beek surpassed $2 million as of Thursday evening following the Dawson’s Creek star’s death on Wednesday.

James had been living with Stage 3 colorectal cancer since 2023, was 48. 😭💔

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said banks should apply enhanced due diligence (EDD) to cash withdrawals exceeding P500,000 on a per-customer—rather than per-transaction—basis, with reviews anchored on a depositor’s normal business activity.

READ MORE: https://inqnews.net/rulesbigcash

The Court of Appeals has granted a freeze order sought by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) covering the bank accounts and properties of Topnotch Catalyst Builders, Inc. and its owners, spouses Eumir and Pamela Villanueva, in connection with alleged ghost flood-control projects.

The Court of Appeals has granted the Anti-Money Laundering Council’s (AMLC) petition to freeze hundreds of bank accounts and dozens of properties linked to “Siomai King” entrepreneur Jonathan Payawal So and his business partner, Carlito Macadangdang, as investigators deepen their probe into their alleged ties to ghost flood-control projects in Bulacan.

Read the article in comment section.

BSP opens doors to wider insurance partnerships, banks to expand offerings The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is set to loosen long-standing rules on bancassurance, allowing banks and electronic money issuers to offer insurance from a wider range of providers.

FILIPINOS ARE ADDICTED TO THE WRONG KIND OF RISKS

DragonFi Securities Inc. Co-Founder and CEO John Carlo Lim cautioned that many Filipinos are drawn to speculative risks rather than disciplined investing, stressing the need to build a strong investment culture for sustainable wealth creation.

Credits to Bilyonaryo New Channel.

I posted this as a response in a group chat. Sharing it here as well

I’m a financial wealth advisor and we keep reminding clients that VUL or unit linked policies are first and foremost insurance with the investment component attached to provide additional earnings.
Funds invested in VUL or unit linked products are pooled and managed by fund managers, oftentimes by banks. These funds are then invested in Bonds, Equities, Money Market. The same investment vehicles used by Banks and those investing in the Philippine Stock Exchange.
Earnings in VUL or unit linked policies are determined by market forces, the same market forces that affect the Philippine Stock Exchange.
Just as the PSE or investing in stocks does not guarantee yield or income, same for VUL or unit linked products.
Financial advisers, as the name implies, provide advice but the final decision on which fund to invest in, whether Philippine or Global equities, Money Market, or Bonds, is the client’s final decision.
Transparency is practiced in our industry. Before clients sign up, the terms, conditions, insurance costs, and benefit expectations are provided in the proposal.
Insurance companies provide historical fund performance in their websites and others, mobile apps.
There are market updates which insurance companies post in their websites and email to their clients.
Banks also provide the same market and fund performance information as they also offer unit linked products called UITF.
Professional fund managers hold quarterly market updates live-streamed on Zoom or Google Meets and also replayed on their website, Facebook, or YouTube channel.
Our industry is regulated. Products are reviewed and studied by the Insurance Commission before being offered to the market. Costs such as marketing, admin and selling have to also be approved as there is a cap to ensure that the product offered will be beneficial to the client.
Banks are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas while the Phil Stock Exchange by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Insurance is protection for a future expense. There are different insurance products, VUL or unit linked products are just one of them.
Like in any buying decision, do your due diligence. Ask questions, compare, get feedback from actual clients.
Insurance was invented as early as 1750 B.C. in Ancient Babylon, where the Code of Hammurabi introduced "bottomry" contracts, allowing traders to secure loans for shipments that were forgiven if the cargo was lost at sea. This concept of risk-sharing evolved over millennia from marine practices to specialized, modern insurance, notes the Library of Congress Research Guides.
A product would not exist for centuries if it is not useful or beneficial.