⭐ Star Rating Methodologies

Transparent, objective criteria for rating financial products in the Philippines

Our Rating Philosophy

Our star ratings help Filipino consumers quickly identify the best financial products for their needs. We use objective, data-driven criteria that reflect real value to consumers, not marketing claims or business relationships.

Our 5-Star Rating Scale

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Excellent (4.5-5.0)

Outstanding value, features, and customer experience. Best-in-class products.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Very Good (3.5-4.4)

Strong products with good value and features. Highly recommended.

⭐⭐⭐

Good (2.5-3.4)

Solid products with adequate features. Good options for specific needs.

⭐⭐

Fair (1.5-2.4)

Below-average products with limited value or significant drawbacks.

Poor (1.0-1.4)

Products with poor value, high costs, or significant limitations.

Credit Cards Rating Criteria

💳 Annual Fee Value (25%)

Annual fee vs. benefits ratio, waiver conditions, and fee competitiveness in the Philippine market.

💰 Rewards Program (25%)

Earning rates, redemption options, point value, and ease of earning rewards on daily Filipino spending.

🎁 Benefits & Perks (20%)

Insurance coverage, airport lounge access, dining privileges, and exclusive offers relevant to Philippine cardholders.

💸 Interest Rates & Fees (15%)

APR, penalty fees, foreign transaction fees, and other charges compared to industry standards.

📱 Digital Experience (10%)

Mobile app quality, online account management, and digital payment integration (GCash, PayMaya).

🏪 Acceptance & Accessibility (5%)

Merchant acceptance in the Philippines, ATM access, and application requirements.

Savings Accounts Rating Criteria

📊 Interest Rate (30%)

Annual percentage yield (APY) compared to BSP reference rates and market averages.

💰 Minimum Balance Requirements (25%)

Initial deposit, maintaining balance, and penalties for falling below minimum.

🏛️ Bank Stability & PDIC Coverage (20%)

Bank financial strength, BSP compliance, and deposit insurance protection.

🏧 Accessibility & Convenience (15%)

ATM network coverage, online banking features, and branch availability across the Philippines.

💸 Fees & Charges (10%)

Monthly fees, transaction charges, and other account-related costs.

Personal Loans Rating Criteria

💸 Interest Rates (35%)

Annual interest rates, effective interest rates, and competitiveness vs. Philippine market rates.

💰 Fees & Charges (20%)

Processing fees, prepayment penalties, late fees, and total cost of borrowing.

⚡ Application & Approval Process (20%)

Application ease, required documents, approval speed, and eligibility requirements for Filipinos.

🔄 Loan Terms Flexibility (15%)

Repayment terms, loan amounts available, and prepayment options.

🏛️ Lender Reputation (10%)

BSP/SEC licensing, customer service quality, and complaint resolution track record.

Investment Products Rating Criteria

📊 Performance & Returns (30%)

Historical performance, consistency, and returns relative to Philippine market benchmarks.

💸 Fees & Expenses (25%)

Management fees, sales loads, and total expense ratios compared to similar Philippine products.

⚖️ Risk Management (20%)

Risk-adjusted returns, volatility, and portfolio diversification strategies.

🏛️ Fund Management Quality (15%)

Manager experience, investment strategy, and SEC/BSP compliance record.

💰 Accessibility & Minimums (10%)

Minimum investment amounts, liquidity, and ease of buying/selling for Filipino investors.

Our Rating Process

1

Data Collection

We gather current product information directly from financial institutions, regulatory filings, and official sources.

2

Scoring & Analysis

Products are scored against our weighted criteria using standardized metrics and Philippine market comparisons.

3

Expert Review

Financial analysts review scores for accuracy and context, considering factors specific to the Philippine market.

4

Rating Assignment

Final star ratings are assigned based on total scores and published with detailed explanations.

5

Regular Updates

Ratings are reviewed quarterly or when significant product changes occur to maintain accuracy.

Important Disclaimers

  • Ratings are opinions: Our ratings reflect our analysis but individual needs may vary.
  • Not personalized advice: Ratings don't constitute personalized financial advice.
  • Terms may change: Product terms can change; always verify current information.
  • Individual eligibility: Not all rated products may be available to all consumers.
  • Editorial independence: Ratings are not influenced by business relationships.

Questions About Our Ratings?

We welcome feedback and questions about our rating methodologies and specific product ratings.

📧 Rating Questions: ratings@geekcash.ph

📊 Methodology Updates: methodology@geekcash.ph

🔍 Product Information: products@geekcash.ph

Last updated: December 2024 | Next review: March 2025