Financial Blog

Managing finances can be stressful for some, even between couples or groups of people in an organization. Talking about money and how you save and spend might be an uneasy topic to discuss with. Usually, we think that having a personal bank account is enough to manage your savings and expenses.

However, there are life events that most likely will happen to us, like getting married and having kids, so sustaining a personal bank account might not be good enough. You might have heard of this, but banks have joint account options that benefit partners or groups of people with the same financial goals.

Sadly, only a few people know about this and don’t exactly know how it works, so we prepare some guide questions. These guide questions can help you understand what joint account and how it works and evaluate if opening this type of account is appropriate for you.

What is a joint account?

A joint account is like a personal savings or checking account, except that two or more people own and manage it. You can use this account to pool your money together, whether they are your partner, roommate, or your kid whom you want to teach actual savings and budgeting. With this account, every bank transaction will be shared and seen by your partner. Both also have access to and withdraw funds with or without the other’s permission. This type of account is usually common for partners who share household expenses, loans, groceries, etc., and wants financial transparency.

How to open a joint account?

If you’re leading more in this direction, opening a joint account has the same process as opening a personal bank account. You and your partner must submit information and proof of identification online or at the branch. In some banks like Security Bank, we only require one valid primary ID or two valid secondary IDs for each person.

Note that you should only open an account with someone you know and trust because you have equal access to this account and will share responsibility for saving and spending. Don’t worry; you can set your withdrawal rules. You have the option to get a passbook only, checking, or ATM. That way, you can assure that you know every withdrawal transaction your partner did because it requires your signature as your consent.

When to open a joint account?

You’ll know that this is the right time to open a joint account if you deal with shared expenses. That’s the reason why this type of account is common for couples or domestic partners. Instead of splitting the bill between two different bank accounts, the funds can come from one account. It promotes transparency and accountability, providing a way for each party to keep an eye on each other’s expenses. This account can also be a good way for parents and a child to have banking experience while you as a parent keep a watch.

Read more: How to Open an Account via MS Teams

Should you open a joint account?

Now that you know the benefits and risks of opening a joint account, it will be totally up to you if your financial setup and conditions demand it. Understand that this requires constant communication and honesty with your potential co-owner. Do you value financial privacy, or is it okay for your co-owners to see your financial transactions?

Remember that you can open a joint bank account and keep separate individual accounts. This way, you can save together or pay your shared expenses and still continue to save for your personal goals. If you’re still unsure whether a joint bank account is good for you, it’s worth talking to your partner.