Metrobank chatbot makes financial education more accessible

Money decisions are rarely limited to numbers. They involve everyday questions: How much of a salary should go into savings? Can one afford a purchase? Should money be lent to a friend or relative?

For many Filipinos, such conversations remain difficult, often leaving people to navigate financial decisions without knowing where to seek guidance.

Metrobank hopes to make those conversations easier through Ask Earnest, an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot designed to help Filipinos explore personal finance questions and better understand their financial choices.

The platform allows users to ask about building an emergency fund, paying off debt, starting to invest, and understanding unfamiliar financial terms. Its conversational format also lets users raise follow-up questions and learn at their own pace.

“Financial education should meet people where they are. We want it to be something people can turn to when they have a question or a decision to make. Sometimes, the first hurdle is knowing where to begin or feeling comfortable enough to ask,” said Digs Dimagiba, Metrobank chief marketing officer.

“With Ask Earnest, we aim to make that first step easier and encourage more Filipinos to understand their options before making a money decision.”

Making money conversations easier

Financial literacy is often associated with long-term goals such as investing, building wealth, and preparing for retirement. But financial decisions also happen in smaller, more immediate moments – managing a first salary, reviewing expenses, or deciding how to handle debt.

Metrobank said Ask Earnest aims to encourage financial mindfulness by making information more accessible when people need it.

“Financial mindfulness develops as people learn, ask questions, and apply what they understand to everyday life,” Dimagiba said.

“Through Ask Earnest, we want to encourage the habit of pausing to ask and understand, whether someone is managing their first salary, reviewing their spending, or preparing for a longer-term goal.”

The chatbot builds on Metrobank’s continuing financial education initiatives. Earnest began as an e-book offering practical personal finance lessons before expanding into earnest.ph and social media platforms TikTok and Instagram through @earnestPH.

The bank also launched the Moneygurado docuseries, which examined how Filipino culture, history, media and personal experiences influence financial attitudes and behavior. Featuring four experts outside the finance industry, the series explored how Filipinos save, spend and borrow.

Metrobank also conducted roadshows with schools and organizations to bring financial mindfulness into communities.

With Ask Earnest, the bank adds an interactive platform to these efforts, encouraging Filipinos to ask questions and make more informed money decisions.

Users can access the chatbot through earnest.ph by clicking the Ask Earnest button at the upper-right corner of the website.