For many Filipinos, traditional bank accounts remain the go-to option because they’re familiar and have stood the test of time. Most people park their savings in them, believing they are the safest and most reliable choice. But if this is how you’ve been saving, your money might not be working as hard as it could. That’s because traditional bank accounts often come with painfully low interest rates that can never keep up with inflation, which means your hard-earned savings could be quietly losing value over time.
Fortunately, smarter and more rewarding options are now within reach. High-yield bank accounts, especially those offered by digital banks like Maya, let your money grow faster without added risk. As the #1 digital bank in the country, Maya empowers conscious savers like you with higher interest rates, minimal fees, and convenient tools that make managing your money easier and more effective. That means every deposit in Maya that you make isn’t just sitting idle but actively working toward your financial goals.
In this article, we’ll break down how traditional banks could be holding your savings back and why switching to a high-yield account may be one of the smartest financial moves you can make.
The Hidden Cost of Sticking with Traditional Banks
While traditional banks feel like a secure option for your money, they often fall short when it comes to helping it grow. Most offer interest rates below 1%, with some accounts paying as little as 0.10%. You might think you're saving, but in reality, your purchasing power is slowly slipping away.
What’s more, many traditional banks still operate with outdated systems that come with unnecessary costs. From monthly maintenance fees to penalties for falling below a minimum balance, these charges steadily chip away at your funds. In this arrangement, your money ends up working harder for the bank than for you.
Grow Your Savings Faster with a High-Yield Bank Account
If you want your money to grow, where you save it makes all the difference. High-yield bank accounts are designed to give your savings a real edge through significantly better interest rates while also offering added convenience and modern features. Here are the reasons why switching to one can make a meaningful difference for your finances.
1. Boosts Your Earnings With Higher Interest Rates
Saving money is only the first step. Equally important is how well those savings grow over time. A high-yield savings deposit account stands out by offering substantially higher interest rates than traditional accounts, allowing your money to work harder and build up faster.
One such option is Maya Savings, which starts with a strong base rate of 3.5% interest per annum. You can even boost this rate up to an impressive 15% p.a. simply by using Maya for everyday transactions like buying prepaid load, paying bills, making purchases via QR Ph, or shopping online. With this setup, your routine spending directly contributes to faster savings growth.
2. Removes Most Fees That Eat into Your Savings
Even small banking fees can gradually diminish your savings over time. Charges for low balances, monthly maintenance, or account inactivity are still common in many traditional banks. These costs may seem minor at first glance, but they can actually slow down your financial progress.
High-yield accounts offered by digital banks help you avoid these hidden expenses. Maya Savings, for example, has no minimum balance requirement and charges no monthly maintenance fees. Fund transfer fees are also either minimal or totally free, depending on where you intend to send your funds. This means every peso you save stays in your account and continues to grow without interruption.
3. Helps You Stay Focused with Goal-Oriented Features
Traditional banks often treat savings as a single lump sum, with no tools to help you organize or track your progress. Most don’t offer built-in features for goal setting, much less the ability to divide your funds while still earning meaningful interest. High-yield digital banks fill this gap by making savings more structured, intentional, and rewarding, allowing you to grow your money while working toward specific financial goals.
For instance, Maya Personal Goals lets you set up to five dedicated goal accounts, each earning a guaranteed 4% interest per annum, which you can even push to the max up to 8% per year. You can assign specific targets and timelines of up to 180 days, all while continuing to earn competitively as you work toward each goal. Once a goal is completed, the funds are automatically transferred to your Maya Savings account for added convenience. This setup helps you save with purpose, making it easier to stay disciplined and motivated.
4. Supports Long-Term Growth of Funds with Low-Risk Options
If you're saving for the long term, relying on traditional bank accounts may not be as efficient. Most offer minimal interest rates, and their deposit products often come with rigid terms and underwhelming returns. These limitations can make it difficult to gain real financial traction, especially when your money is locked in but earning very little in return.
High-yield alternatives like Maya Time Deposit Plus offer a more flexible and rewarding way to save long term. It starts with a base rate of 3.5% per annum, which can increase to 5% for a 3-month term, 6% for a 6-month term, and up to 5.5% for a 12-month term, provided that you meet your savings goal. This structure helps your money grow faster without the risks of investing, making it an ideal option for disciplined savers focused on long-term financial goals.
5. Simplifies Money Management through Smart Tools
Traditional banks often rely on outdated systems that make saving feel like a chore. Even simple tasks like checking your balance or transferring funds can involve multiple steps, delays, or in-person visits. This lack of convenience can make it harder to build consistent saving habits.
In contrast, high-yield digital banks offer a more streamlined and accessible experience. For example, Maya lets you manage all your savings accounts right from your phone. Through the Maya app, you can check balances, move money, and track your goals anytime. This level of control and convenience removes friction from your routine and helps you stay focused and consistent as you grow your savings.
6. Protects Your Savings with Trusted Security and Coverage
Growing your money is important, but keeping it secure is just as critical. While traditional banks may offer basic protection, high-yield digital platforms go a step further by combining stronger returns with enhanced security measures, giving you added peace of mind in an increasingly online banking environment. This means your savings are not only growing faster but are also protected from fraud, data breaches, and unauthorized access.
Maya delivers on that expectation with strong security backed by trusted safeguards. It is a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-supervised financial institution (BSFI) that employs strong security features such as biometric logins, real-time notifications, and one-time passwords (OTP). Two-factor authentication is also enabled by default, adding another layer of protection to keep your account secure. Additionally, all deposits are insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) for up to PHP 1,000,000 per depositor. Together, these measures ensure that your Maya deposit account is not only growing but also fully protected.
Your hard-earned money deserves more than to simply sit idle in a traditional bank. With better high-yield options now within reach, you can grow your savings faster, stay in control, and move toward your financial goals with greater confidence. By switching to a high-yield bank account, you're giving your savings the momentum it needs to truly keep up with your ambitions.
These Stories on Maya
Maya is powered by the country's only end-to-end digital payments company Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. for digital banking services. Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
www.bsp.gov.ph