In this page, I’m sharing how I opened my COL Financial account online without going to COL’s head office in Philippine Stock Exchange Center in Ortigas. Everyone can do this, too. This is very convenient especially those who are living far away from Manila, those who are from the provinces and those OFWs who reside abroad.
Why I Choose COL Financial?
COL Financial is one of the best online stock brokers in the Philippines. There are other big online trading brokers out there like BPI Trade, Philstocks, First Metro Sec, etc. but I’ve decided to choose COL Financial because I was impressed with their stock market research and updates. Their company is also listed in the PSE. Besides, I love their EIP program and the availability of Mutual Funds on their platform.
Before you open COL Financial Account:
I recommend you prepare your email address and I suggest you use Gmail simply because it is less spammy. I also suggest you have an active Anti-virus software in your computer because let’s face it, you will going to trade and this is like banking. You need to have secured internet transactions at all times. You don’t want to be risking your login username and password. I recommend Norton 360 because you will have complete computer + complete internet protection.
COL website uses https and it’s already secure but I still recommend using Norton for total online protection for everything that you’re doing online.
Prepare for your TIN (Tax Identification Number). If you don’t have any yet, you can get TIN online. If you lost your TIN or you forgot it, you can retrieve it here: Verify TIN
Decide what type of COL account you need to open. Personally, I selected the COL Plus because it has EIP and streamlined features. As an investor, you know you don’t only need to grow your funds but your investing skills as well. You can’t be on EIP forever, honey.
Procedures How to Open COL Financial Account Online:
Step 1: Gather the complete documents required
You will need to fill out the forms and sign them properly. Write in Block letters, meaning all capital letters. Make sure the email address you provide is really yours and you are the only one who use it because this is where COL will contact you regarding your application. All transaction notifications and confirmations regarding your COL account will also be sent in your email address.
COL Financial Account Requirements:
- Download Application Forms (CAIF, OSTA, and Specimen Signature Cards) and print them out.
- Photocopy of 1 Government Issued Valid ID
- Funds to your COL account (I used BDO online banking)
Step 2: Send your documents
Have your documents delivered to COL Financial’s address. I used LBC delivery service. COL received my package the next day and they emailed me with the message, “Welcome to COL Financial….” That’s the start of it 🙂
Step 3: Fund your account
Make your initial deposit to fund your trading account. I had to make initial deposit of P25,000 to fund my COL Plus account. I used BDO online banking for this. Funds were immediately transferred to my COL account. The complete instructions were discussed here: “How to Fund COL account using BDO Online”
Step 4: Start trading in real time
Finally, COL sent me my log in password and my account was active. I can then trade real time. I logged in my COL account and changed my password. It’s always safe when you’re the only one who knows it.
How to Open COL Financial Account Abroad?
If you are living and working overseas, you can also open your COL Financial account by going to any iRemit Branches. COL Financial has partnered with iRemit. Just bring your signed forms and clear copies of your valid IDs and submit them to iRemit.
can i use COL Financial to invest in any stocks? thank you!
Hi 🙂 Yes, you can invest in any stock listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange using COL Financial
ANY demo on COL financial for Beginners?
Maam paano po mag apply ng TIN SA BIR?
I saw online that we can now open /sign up account online, is that correct? Also is NBI clearance allowed as Govt issued ID? THANK you so much!
Yes, COL Financial accepts online applications. NBI Clearance is not a valid ID, just a supporting document.
hi ma’am, how can you send the application online? email? site? thank you in advance
Visit COL Financial website. On the menu, you can find the “Open an Account” tab. You’ll instantly see the online express account opening there
Hi. I’m planning to open a COL account using the primary and secondary account (joint) holders. Unfortunately, my partner is currently based in New Zealand. Can I use his electronic signatures instead? Thank you for your time.
PANO PAG WALA AKO BDO ACCOUNT CAN I STILL FUND MY COL ACCOUNT?
Hi, yes, you can use online banking of other banks like BPI, Metrobank, AUB, Chinabank, Robinsons Bank and Unionbank. You can also fund your account via over the counter deposit
can i fund my account via remittance center like palawan, westerb etc?
Hi, Randy. Currently, COL accepts online banking and over-the-counter bills payment
Hi, paano po ba makapag trade like sa etherium /btc? Newbie po in this field..
Hi, to trade BTC and ETH, check out this guide https://dailypik.com/how-to-buy-bitcoins-online-in-the-philippines/
How about trading stocks on international exchanges like NYSE,Nasdaq, FTSE etc????
Hi, I will make a post about that soon 🙂
Hi Ms Fehl
Just a quick question
Government ID of Canada is valid to open an COL account? Thank you
Yes, I think it is acceptable
Hi Ms fehl
What about the bank account of Canada it is also okay to use to find my COL account? Thank you
Hi ms Fehl good day…
I am very interested to invest at stock market .
I have some question, can I use my bank account in Canada to fund my COL account?
Thank you
Can I open account im in California usa?
Yes 🙂
Good Day,
I’ve been reading this and I am very much interested to invest, I do have have a question, do I have to have a credit card to invest?
That’s all and Thank you for posting this.
Hi Ms Fhel.
Thank you for sharing this information to us.
I am an OFW. I would like to invest in stocks.
Ask ko lang po aside from TIN, ano pa po ung requirement to open an account?
Also, do i need to have a bank in the Philippines po?
Thank you.
Albert
Hi, Albert 🙂 1 valid government issued ID is required. Having a bank account is not necessary BUT it will help you to easily and quickly fund your COL account whenever you want to invest so I’d say have one.
Hi Ms. Fehl, good day. Narinig ko na po tong Col Financial from one of my former officemates years ago. I’m planning to invest at least 5k kasi in progress na yung backpay ko(almost 2 months palang ako sa current company). May Sunlife naman ako(health insurance + investment) eh gusto ko po kasi mag invest sa stocks.
Ang main concern ko po is kung paano ifill out ung form specially yung part na about financial kasi nung nagtry po ako magfill out, para akong nanghuhula ng isasagot kaya itinigil ko. Kahit overview lang po siguro kung paano ifill out kasi baka pag mali mali eh hindi iapprove.
Sana po maconsider nyo tong request ko. 🙂
Hi, from the Financial and Invetsment Profile section;
Assets – include any thing that you own such as cash, house and lot, cars, investments, companies or anything that has economic value. Estimate the total amount and choose the value from the options.
Net Worth – these include assets less your liabilities (utang)
the rest are self explanatory 🙂
Thank you po 🙂
My pleasure 🙂
Hi ms fehl
Just a quick question
Can i fund my col account by
i-remit? Thank you
Hi Mam kung 60 years old na po at gustong magopen account ok lang po ba and if start funding ok lang ba na magstart ng 10 k then palaki ng palaki in 5 to 10 years kasi time is short lately lang ng makita itong investment …Thank you…
Ms. Fehl, napawow po ako sa patience niyo to help people. I really appreciate it much po because I’ve learn a lot from Q and A here. Thank u very much…
Sam
Hello Ms. Fhel!
Ofw here in Taiwan. Ippdla q na po sna ung Documents q sa COL using LBC pero d daw po pwede na wlang taong tatanggap. Bakit po ganun? D daw po pwede pdala sa establisment if wlang specific na taong tatanggap?
What do you think po?
Hello miss fhel,,
I will be opening an account in COL this or next month.
I would like to ask if it is allowed to upgrade your account from STARTER to PLUS??
Also, how do you withdraw your earnings if you choose to invest without a BDO account??
Hi Ms. Fehl,
I’ve been through to your blog and its very interesting. I really like it! Thank you for all those productive guidelines in trading and I wanted to open an acct. for me. Allowed po ba ako mag-open kung dito po ako nakatira sa Canada?
Hello
I am in UAE, Can i apply for Stock Trading account in Philippine? please reply i am waiting your reply
Hi ms fehl,
Nag send na po ako ng application thru lbc tapos nag email po ang col financial sa akin pero na delete ko…paano ko po ba ma follow up ng application ko?
Hi Miss. I am planning to open a COL account starter lang muna. Wala po ako sa manila so pag ipapadala po ba yong mga requirements thru LBC, do we have to notify them or automatic na po un at iinform na lang po ako pag nareceive n nila?
Thanks po, more power and godbless
hi ms. fehl. I already enrolled an acct. with COL and when I funded my acct
with 25k only 24990 went thru on my COL acct. and my account was still in starter, my question ms. Fehl is how I can change my account to COL plus?
COL charges 10 for every funding transaction, dati wala yan. Last year lang nagstart. Add more fund para maging 25K and request an upgrade by contacting COL Financial
hi. ilang days ba usually ang hintayin bago sila mag-email for your application?
a day lang
hello! why they required me to have a skype interview?
they need more verification in that case
Hello miss fehl, student lang po kasi ako, wala pa akong TIN number. Nabasa ko rin kasi sa COL na form 1904 dapat sa students, may nabasa naman ako di kailangan 1904 basta may TIN number. Ano po ba talaga? Thanks po
Form 1904 is for TIN registration so you wont need it if you already have a TIN 🙂
Hi Ms. Fehl, I’ve been wanting to open an account with COL Financial but I have this concern, do I need a laptop to do transaction like buying and selling stocks or can I just use a smart phone or perhaps a tablet to do the task? Right now, I don’t have a laptop and all I have is a smart phone and a tablet. And I am not into the idea of checking my account on public computers. How about Sunlife? Can I use a smart phone or tablet for Sunlife transaction? Thanks for you reply. More Power!!
Hi, Mutya. Yes, I recommend laptop and desktop with Internet Security software installed like Norton. COL has no active mobile app that I know usable as of now. Sun Life Ph has an app but from reviews, they had many errors.
Hi ms Fehl,
I want to ask a question. I am aware that In COL they dont have entry fee in buying mutual funds unlike the MF companies. But I am somewhat curious if they do have exit fee? lets say I want to sell my mutual fund in less than a year? Do I need to pay for exit fee like on direct MF?
Thanks and regards,
Ethelbert
You need to pay early redemption fee if you will redeem before the Holding Period. COL may have zero sales load for now but they may change that rule anytime.
Hi po mam, do u have tutorial videos on all of this and where I can follow you? I need some enlightenment and more knowledge about this. Thank you so much..
hi miss fehl pag napasa na po mga requirements agad agad po ba mag deposit for funding the accounts or wait for col’s instruction bago mag deposit . thanks po and more power parati po kami nag babasa ng mga blogs mo malaking tulong po samin thanks!
Wait for COL’s email because you will need your COL Account Name and Account Number in funding your account
Ms. Fehl, sorry, mean to say COL will ask her personal financial statement? which she doesn’t have it.
Thanks,
Helo Ms. Fehl,
Thanks for your being unselfishness, just a quick question.
I need to use my wife’s name/detail on my behalf to open COL account because I don’t have TIN which is one of the requirements (am OFW), I am the one who will fund the account, there will be no problem on that case? maybe somewhat COL will ask my wife’s financial status.
Thanks in advance…
Nelson
Hi, they don’t ask for financial statement or financial status because it is a free will to invest 🙂 Anyone is welcome. As long as your wife submitted and truthfully filled out the forms provided by COL (for her application) and submitted her valid ID, her account will be opened. Do not worry too much 🙂
Thanks a lot and more power…
Hi when I submitted my forms they required me to have a Skype Interview with them before they approve my account. Did you have this as well?
Hi, they didn’t require me Skype interview perhaps because my docs were complete and they no longer needed more verification. I submitted copies of 2 government issued IDs, latest credit card statement and signed forms I downloaded from their website
Hi Fehl, I submitted the forms and credit card statement but only submitted one government issued ID and they asked me to resend it via email. All’s good though. Thanks for your response
!
Hi Rae, when you submitted the credit card statement and forms, they did not require any skype interview na? Thank you.
Hello fehl
Quick question. Pag COL Starter 5k lang ang I open ko. Hindi ba ako pwd mag enrol sa EIP nila?
More power fehl. Thanks sa help.
Hi ilang days lang ba maghintay yung pinadala mung requirments sa COL
Aabot bayan ng one weeks?? Pls reply i need to know
1 day lang thru LBC
Hi there! As for the account number, will t be emailed to be together with my password after my application has been approved? Thank you.
Yes, they will email you your log in credentials, you can change your password
Hi there! I’ve been wanting to open an account in COL and invest in the stock market. I know investing in stock market takes courage and risk but i’m really not ready to take big risk yet so i am planning to choose the col Starter with a minimum investment of P5000. Do you have any input as to what stocks are good and reliable to purchase for beginners like me? Thank you and keep writing informative posts. ^_^
For beginners, I recommend the top blue chip stocks like BDO, ALI, URC, and SMPH
Hi Ma’am! I have already received a confirmation that COL has received my application. However, it’s been two weeks but there’s no update from them regarding my next step. I’m excited to get started. How long does it usually take for an application to get approved?
hi ms Fhel, nakita ko sa COL application na hindi kasama sa requirements yung billing statement pati yung TIN? here
https://www.colfinancial.com/ape/Final2/home/open_an_account.asp
ok lang po ba na wala yung dalawa? thanks
Billing statement is not required anymore. TIN is required when you fill up the form
“As of November 03 2015, we no longer require a billing statement to open an account with COL. We have already removed this from our list of requirements on our website.”
from Tasha – COL FINANCIAL CUSTOMER SUPPORT
After po b amagdeposit ng 5K, pwede ko xang hulugan anytime??? and if naka25K na po ako iuupgrade n po b ung account ko sa COL plus?
Good evening mam, ask ko lang po student po kasi ako, okay lang po ba na wala akong TIN # or need ko po talagang kumuha? Salamat po.
Hi mam fehl ask ko lang po pwede po ba mag open ako ng acnnt tapos kapatid ko po mag mmange kasi isa po akong seaman sya po sana mag mmange kapag onboard po ako
Yes, I don’t see a problem with that if you trust him and he knows how to manage it
Hi Ms Fehl. Ive been reading your blogs several times now and I am learning. I am so much eager to invest on stocks. Just want to be clarified on : after funding my account with COl, let’s say 10K, can i just leave everything to COL to manage my money then just wake up one day to check whether money has earned?Thanks!
Hi, thank you for visiting my blogs. COL is a broker. They handle stock transactions such as buying and selling. They don’t manage funds. Your funds won’t earn or grow unless you do something about it. It’s up to your strategy – how you buy or sell your stocks or how you play the market
Hi,
Is TIN card and/or NBI Clearance a valid ID for opening COL account? And for the proof of billing, we are renting lang kasi.. is it ok if di naka-name sa akin yung utility billing statement?
Thanks in advance.
Ms. Fehl, how can I open COL account? I am in Dubai, UAE right now? Need your help po.
hi ms fehl,
ok lang ba photocopy ung billing statement? o kelangan original? for example sa lbc, kelangan ba naka envolope o folder bago ko ipadala? or meron na sa lbc? ty po.
I sent mine original para agad approved. My papers were in a folder
Did COL require you to submit an original bank crrtificate or do a skype video call with a sales officer? Based on COL’s website, at least one is required for non appearance application.
For non-appearance, they require either of the two. But that is effective on Nov 3. If you submit an application before that, your billing statement and ID are enough
Hi Fehl,
Good day Mam, can i make my parents as a secondary holder of my account in col? since all the billing address is address to my parents. I’m very excited for the mutual fund that’s offering by the col very versatile one for sure.
Your blog will be my reference for the future decision 😛
Thank You for an informative blog. God Bless! 🙂
I think you can do that but the account will be named after you and your parent. Thank you for the visit 🙂 I also post investment guides for stocks and MF at Dailypik.com
Hi Ms Fehl
Ask ko lang po, required po talaga yung utility billing statement?
Yes, it is one of the requirements as it adds proof of address and credibility
Hi ms. Fehl this is zeus. I submitted the required docs last dec 19 but i haven’t received their confirmation yet. I indicated my bdo acct #. Is bank certificate required? Tnx in advance
Bank Cert. is not required. I hope you got your email from COL already 🙂
maam fehl, wala po akong utility bills pati parents ko wala rin kc nakatira km sa iisang lugar,Philex Mines, d2 po libre bahay electricity and water..pwede ko po bang gamitin utility bill ng brother ko?pero magkaiba po km ng lugar..nasa baguio siya..
Hi Ms. Fehl! If I open COL plus, and I want to invest a fixed amount of money monthly into my account, is there a minimum investment that I should follow?
COL Plus requires 25K funding but there is no minimum investment to follow every month or anytime. You are in control of your money and investments 🙂
HI Fehl,
I’ve been reading your blog all night and it’s been a great tool to widen my know-how about investing. I’m interested in opening an account in COL for 5k I just wanna what if I don’t have billing statement that’s under my name since we currently renting together with my parents. How do I proceed for me to provide the said requirement because that’s the only one which I don’t have.
Thanks in advance. More powers.
Same here. We use to live with my Mother-in-Law before i came here in Abu Dhabi so I don’t have billing statements under my name or my hubby’s name.
Good morning ms. Fehl,
Is it okey if i open a starter acct then invest 5k or more monthly for let say 10 years without buying or selling a stock monthly? Then how my investment will grow?
Hope for your kind consideration. Thank you and god bless.
Eve
hi ms. fehl i just want to ask i dont have any latest bīll statement,, s sister ko po nkpangalan ung mga bills s bahay,,, what should i do,, and ok lng po b if i used bank of commence to transfer fund to col?? thank u ang more power…
hi ms fehl, i just want to ask po if ok lng n ibang bank account ang gamitin, my savings po kc ako s bank of commerce,,, to buy a stock for col
Hi Fehl,
Pag COL Starter 5k starting investment ang account mo, then your investment reached the 25K Investment, automatic ba magiging COL plus account mo?
Thanks
Nope. You need to make a request to upgrade your account to COL Plus by contacting COL or emailing them
Thanks!
Hi Miss Fehl, inspired by Bo Sanchez, I encouraged my kasambahay to invest also in stock market but the problem is she does not have a billing statement under her name. 🙁 Is there anything we can do about that? She has TIN aslready and an SSS ID.
Hi Fehl thank you for sharing!! Your article can be very helpful for those begginer lyk me, i just want to ask if is it ok if im going to put an additional investment after 3 months…
Thank you…!!
Hi. Thank you for visiting. Yes, you have the power and control when you would like to buy or sell stocks
Hi, should the billing statement be an original copy or a photocopy will do?
I submitted original copy for the billing statement and photocopies of IDs
Hi, how can I open an account if I’m currently living abroad?
Fill up the necessary forms (can be downloaded at their website) and submit/mail them together with the requirements at their Business Office Address (also posted in their website) then wait for their email
hello ms fehl, could you please give me the exact COL financial address in which i will be sending my application form. Am very much interested in investing.thank you very much…
COL Business Center
2403B East Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd. Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1605 Philippines
that’s their address as of now
Hi Ms. Fehl, how many days does it usually take before they’ll send me my account? possible kayang after BDO fund transfer ok na agd? habang mababa sana ang FMV today.
Next working day lang, they will give your account credentials na.
Hi mam..gusto kopo sana mag invest kaso naguguluhan po ako pano ito nagwowork.. Pano poba kikita ang pera at pano poba..makukuha yung parang kikitain sa investment na ito
Hi 🙂 I love your posts. Can i just ask cuz i just turned 18 and I don’t have those utilities bills under my name what can I do to still create an account?
Hi, I’m getting excited now as I am reading ur post. Before reading this i already have uitf and i am so glad that I already did the initial step hehe, planning to open the eip in bdo and finally once i read all about stocks i will open it too.
I really admire ur advocacy, even some of the questions are redundant, you still have time to answer it… only people with so much can do it, so once i reached my goal i will also do the same,,,
Hi Donnel. It’s a good thing that you’re excited. Not only you’re going to a brighter place, you’re also enjoying the journey. Cheers!
Ma’am, with regards to having a TIN , is there any some kinda obligatory fee for maintaining one -say annualy? Thanks. (Studyante pa lang po kasi 🙂 )
Not that I know of if you’re not employed or don’t have a business 🙂
Good day!
I appreciate your blogs and all I can say is its super easy to understand. I’m about to open my COL acct but I only have one question. If I open my acct as starter can it be upgraded to plus anytime?
I think so, just contact COL and request for an account upgrade
Thanks and more power!
Hello, Fehl!! I have a TIN when I worked on a Temporary status in one government agency I worked with. Should I use it if sover I want to open an account with COL? Thanks and more power!
Yes, we only have one TIN for life 🙂
i’m interested in opening an account i just turned 18 this year and I’m wondering what should I do cause I still dont have any Government Valid ID (my voter’s id not yet released) and for the Latest Utility Billing Statement is it okay if its not named under me (cause my parents are paying for it) and for funds is it okay if I use BPI sorry i have so many questions ,,,
Hi Kristine. The credit card statement must be under your name too. Yes, you can fund COL using BPI as well.
Hi ma’am, so the initial amount for investing is 5k (minimum) right? so how is that? Will I be required to give off 5k monthly? and what if after 10 yrs Ive grown my stocks into 7M pesos. Can I use that money already? (i.e. for business, or to buy a house) Thankyou
That 5K is the initial amount to open EIP account. 25K is need for COL Plus and 1M for Premium account. It doesn’t mean you need 5K monthly. That is only the required fund to OPEN an EIP account. Your COL account is your wallet. You can use the money in there to buy and invest on stocks. If your stocks have grown to 7M value, you can get the money by selling your stocks. Then withdraw your money from your COL account. 🙂
Hi Fehl!
I wanna ask if I can just transfer my funds in COL account to a Bank account, just like how you fund your COL account? Or is there a COL card, maybe, suitable for any atm machines? Haha How can you withdraw your money?
By the way, you really have great articles. Thank you so much! 😀
Hi! You can withdraw your funds in your COL Financial account by submitting a Fund Withdrawal form, which you can download by logging in to your COL account’s HOME and then to FORMS and send that form via fax or email to their Accounting dept. You can also pick up as a check. Contact COL thru the email and phone number they provided in the Welcome email when you enrolled your account. There is no online way or direct transfer I know as of now.
One more ma’am 🙂 Is it possible to use other banks – I use MB – or COL has struck hands exclusively with BDO? Thanks again 😉
Yes, COL accepts funding via Metrobank and BPI as well
Hi milady Fehl, does COL starter has a feature where-in you can trade stocks directly and view stocks graphs, earnings, etc.? Also, how much is the minimum starting funding for COL plus? Thanks 😉
p.s. Seems you are not dating your articles, would be good if you date it especially those one’s about jobs, et al.
COL Plus has those but I’m not sure with Starter since I’m using COL Plus. Minimum fund for Starter is P5K, P25K for COL Plus and 1 Million for Premium. Yup, I don’t use dates for SEO purposes 🙂
hi miss Fehl, good day! Your post is so much helpful for a beginner like me. Thank you for the info that you have shared. God bless u more.
Just want to ask if after opening a COL account,will you still have 2 pay monthly after paying the initial amount? Thanks in advance.
Hi Eric! Nope, you don’t have to pay monthly. COL account is your platform to buy, sell, trade and invest in stocks. You are the one who controls it. You are not obliged to buy or do anything monthly. The money (equity) in your COL account is all yours. If you scheduled EIP, you must follow it. Like I said, you control everything. 🙂
Currently here in UAE, and I’ve been reading everything about stock market, from “what” to “how” these past couple of months. I just gathered up all necessary papers and documents to open an account with COL Financial and will submit it these coming days. I must say, I’m impressed with how Edward Lee is managing his company and how he envision their growth in another 15 years with a very optimistic approach. Further more, they’re planning to integrate mutual funds to their current platform to make it more diversified and accessible for their client. That’s a very good news! I’m looking forward to that. Meanwhile, I need to open an account first before everything else. I’m also planning to open COL Plus. Excited to enter the world of trading:)
COL offering mutual funds would be so interesting 🙂 Also looking forward to that. Hope to see you again on my next posts about stocks 🙂
HI Fehl,
Is there a transfer fee when u fund your COL using BDO online banking?
I would like to do this to avoid hassle and a much higher cable charge since I work abroad.
thanks in advance.
Yes, there is transaction fee. I think I was charged P10 by BDO 🙂