EastWest Bank has broadened access to its Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) products through new partnerships with DragonFi and Luna Securities, giving more Filipinos easy-to-use digital channels to begin investing for their retirement. The collaborations let customers reach EastWest PERA through purpose-built investment platforms, cutting down common barriers that keep many people from starting their retirement planning.
PERA is a voluntary retirement savings program supported by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, designed to add to benefits Filipinos receive from the SSS, GSIS, and employer-provided plans. EastWest PERA requires a minimum investment of only P2,000 and is open to both local investors and overseas Filipino workers.
“Many Filipinos understand the importance of preparing for retirement but are unsure where to start,” said Raul Victor De Guzman, EastWest trust officer and head of trust asset management group. “By expanding digital access to EastWest PERA through DragonFi and Luna Securities, we are helping make retirement investing simpler, more convenient, and within reach of more Filipinos. Our goal is to enable more people to build long-term financial security through disciplined saving and sound investment choices.”
DragonFi is a technology-focused investment platform that lets users trade stocks, funds, REITs, and open PERA accounts via its website and mobile app, while also offering learning materials and investing tools. “Now is an especially important time to invest for retirement. Filipinos are living longer, the employment landscape is becoming more fluid, and traditional sources of retirement income may no longer be sufficient. The earlier one begins, the more time there is for compounding to work,” said Jon Lim, DragonFi CEO and founder.
Luna Securities delivers a mobile-first investing experience created to make buying stocks easier and more straightforward for Filipino investors. “As more partnerships are made, more people can help spread the word that investment opportunities are now available to every Filipino. Coupled with technology, investing for retirement is now made accessible to all demographics and different income classes,” said John Gatmaytan, Luna Securities chairman and co-founder.
Through these agreements, customers gain access to professionally managed EastWest PERA solutions overseen by the bank’s award-winning Trust and Asset Management Group, all while enjoying a smoother, fully digital investing experience.
