Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the banking arm of the Ty Group, is widening access to investment products by bringing more wealth-management services into its mobile app, giving customers a simpler path from everyday banking to building investment portfolios.
The enhanced Metrobank App now includes UITF Online and Wealth Manager, allowing customers to invest, monitor holdings, and manage portfolios without having to navigate separate channels.
Through UITF Online, customers can access more than 25 peso- and dollar-denominated Unit Investment Trust Funds covering different asset classes and risk profiles. Minimum placements can start at P1,000, depending on the fund, lowering the entry point for first-time and smaller retail investors.
Customers can invest, monitor their portfolios, redeem holdings, and download statements directly through the app. Existing UITF Online accounts are automatically reflected when customers access the service.
For customers seeking another layer of diversification, Wealth Manager allows investors to buy and sell peso-denominated government bonds in the secondary market.
The service also consolidates investment holdings into a single portfolio view, while providing access to Metrobank wealth specialists and market information through Wealth Insights.
The move reflects a broader shift in Philippine banking, with financial institutions increasingly turning mobile apps into full-service financial platforms rather than limiting them to deposits, payments, and transfers.
For Metrobank, putting investment products alongside everyday banking functions could deepen relationships with existing customers while lowering the friction that often keeps smaller savers from entering the investment market.
The approach also comes as digital financial services become more embedded in household money management. A customer who once used a banking app primarily to check balances or transfer funds can now use the same platform to put savings to work.
By integrating professionally managed funds and government securities into its digital ecosystem, Metrobank is positioning its mobile app not only as a transaction channel but also as an entry point to wealth building.
The expansion could help narrow the gap between saving and investing by giving more Filipinos convenient access to investment products without requiring large initial placements or separate investment platforms.
