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Short answer: To open a MariBank account, download the MariBank app, sign up with an active Philippine mobile number, pass the face check, upload one valid government ID and fill in your details. You must be at least 18 and living in the Philippines. There is no opening fee and no maintaining balance, and if your ID does not show your address, the app may ask for a proof of address such as a recent utility bill. MariBank says the whole sign-up takes about five minutes.
MariBank, formerly SeaBank Philippines, became the country’s seventh licensed digital bank in July 2026. This guide covers who can apply, which IDs work, the app steps, and the fees and limits to know, all checked against MariBank’s own pages on October 29, 2026.
Who can open a MariBank account?
MariBank’s Digital Banking Terms of Service (last updated July 15, 2026) list the basic rules. You must:
- Be at least 18 years old when you register.
- Be a resident of the Philippines and an individual (not a company).
- Have the legal capacity to enter into an agreement with the bank.
- Own a smartphone that meets the app’s minimum requirements, with an active Philippine mobile number for one-time PINs (OTPs).
Sign-up happens only in the app, which is on the Apple App Store, Google Play and Huawei AppGallery.
What valid IDs and documents do you need?
MariBank says you can open an account with just one valid ID. In practice, the ID should be a government-issued, photo-bearing card that is not expired. MariBank’s help center lists these IDs as also showing your address, which makes sign-up smoother:
- PhilSys National ID
- Driver’s license
- UMID
- Postal ID (the plastic card, not the paper version)
The same page lists PhilHealth ID (must show your address), voter’s ID (a voter’s certification is not accepted) and TIN ID (must have your photo) as additional accepted IDs.
What if your ID has no address, like a passport?
Then the app may ask for a proof of residential address. MariBank accepts a utility bill (electric, water, cable, landline or internet), a postpaid mobile bill, a bank, credit card or insurance statement, a Pag-IBIG billing statement, or an official receipt. These must show your full name as it appears on your ID and your complete address, and must be dated within the last three months. Electronic bills count. A valid NBI clearance is also accepted.
How do you open a MariBank account step by step?
- Download the MariBank app from the App Store, Google Play or Huawei AppGallery.
- Choose a sign-up option. MariBank’s application page says there are three ways to sign up. Enter your mobile number and type in the OTP.
- Do the facial verification. Use a well-lit room and remove your glasses or cap.
- Upload your ID and complete your details, such as your address, work and source of funds. Make sure all four corners and the text of the ID are clear.
- Wait for the confirmation.
A blurry ID photo or a dark face check can slow down approval, so take your time on steps 3 and 4.
How much interest does MariBank pay, and how is it taxed?
As of October 29, 2026, MariBank’s fees and rates page lists 3.25% a year on balances up to ₱1,000,000 and 3.75% a year on the amount above ₱1,000,000. Interest is computed on the previous day’s balance and credited every midnight, and it is subject to 20% final withholding tax.
Here is a simple estimate. If you keep ₱50,000 in the account for a full year, 3.25% gives about ₱1,625 in gross interest. After 20% tax, you keep about ₱1,300, or roughly ₱3.56 a day. Rates can change, so check the app first. To see how this stacks up against other digital banks, read our digital bank interest rate comparison. If you want a longer-term option, our Pag-IBIG MP2 guide explains how its dividends compare.
What fees and limits should you know?
| Item | MariBank (checked Oct 29, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Opening and maintaining the account | Free, no maintaining balance |
| Transfers to other banks and e-wallets (InstaPay, PESONet) | Free and unlimited |
| InstaPay limit | ₱50,000 per transaction |
| PESONet limit | ₱500,000 per transaction |
| Total outgoing transfers | ₱500,000 a day (no limit on incoming transfers) |
| Virtual debit card / physical card | Free / ₱49 |
| Local ATM withdrawal | ₱15 (if the ATM has its own fee, only that fee applies) |
| ATM withdrawals | Up to ₱100,000 a day, up to 15 withdrawals a day |
| Overseas online card purchases | 2% fee (not charged on local or overseas in-store purchases) |
Cashing in is done by transferring from another bank or e-wallet through InstaPay or PESONet. MariBank notes that the sending bank or e-wallet may charge its own fee. If you use Coins.ph, our Coins.ph cash in and cash out guide shows the cheapest routes. Planning to use the card on foreign websites? Our guide to spending money abroad explains why foreign transaction fees matter.
Is MariBank safe for your savings?
MariBank Philippines, Inc. is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The BSP approved its upgrade from a rural bank license to a digital bank license, and it began operating as a digital bank on July 18, 2026, according to Philstar and Rappler. Deposits are insured by the PDIC up to ₱1 million per depositor, per bank, the coverage level in effect since March 15, 2025.
Under the Terms of Service, a savings account with no transactions for two years can turn dormant, stops earning interest, and may be charged a dormancy fee five years after the last activity. Make at least one small deposit or transfer every year to keep it active.
A MariBank account works well as an emergency fund or a place to keep your 13th month pay until you need it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum deposit to open a MariBank account?
No. Opening the account is free and there is no maintaining balance.
Can I open a MariBank account if I am under 18?
No. MariBank’s Terms of Service require you to be at least 18 at the time of registration.
Can I use my passport to open a MariBank account?
A passport does not show your address, so expect the app to ask for a proof of address, such as a utility bill from the last three months or a valid NBI clearance.
Are MariBank deposits insured?
Yes. Deposits are insured by the PDIC up to ₱1 million per depositor, per bank.
Sources
- MariBank, Open Bank Account Online, Savings Account and Fees & Rates (checked October 29, 2026)
- MariBank Help Center, What type of Proof of Residential Address is required? (checked October 29, 2026)
- MariBank Philippines, Digital Banking Terms of Service (last updated July 15, 2026; checked October 29, 2026)
- TipidNation, How to Open a MariBank Account: Requirements and Approval Time (checked October 29, 2026)
- Philstar, MariBank becomes 7th digital bank in Philippines (July 25, 2026), and Rappler, MariBank now officially reclassified as digital bank by BSP (checked October 29, 2026)
- Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation, Maximum Deposit Insurance Coverage and FAQs (checked October 29, 2026)
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Rates, fees and requirements change; confirm them in the MariBank app before you sign up or deposit.
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