As more Filipinos seek professionally managed investment products amid a rapidly evolving financial landscape, PNB Securities, Inc. (PNBSI) and Manulife Investments Philippines have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at broadening access to Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs).
The agreement, formalized through a signing ceremony at the Philippine Stock Exchange Tower in Bonifacio Global City, will allow PNB Securities to distribute UITFs managed by Manulife Investments Philippines, expanding the investment options available to clients under the bank’s wealth management platform.
The move reflects a growing trend among financial institutions to strengthen their wealth management capabilities as demand rises for diversified investment products that can help investors navigate market volatility and pursue long-term financial goals.
Expanding investment choices
IMAGE CREDIT: Manulife
Through the partnership, PNB Wealth Management clients will gain access to Manulife Investments Philippines’ portfolio of UITFs, including income-generating and growth-oriented funds spanning various asset classes.
The offering combines Manulife’s global investment capabilities with local market expertise, giving investors exposure to professionally managed portfolios designed to address different risk profiles and investment objectives.
PNB Securities President Manuel Lisbona said the collaboration supports the firm’s strategy of enhancing its investment solutions while delivering greater value to clients.
“This partnership reinforces our strategic focus on enhancing our investment solutions and creating long-term value for our clients,” Lisbona said. “By collaborating with Manulife Investments Philippines, we are broadening our product suite and strengthening our role as a key player in the wealth management market.”
The initiative comes as Philippine financial institutions continue to expand beyond traditional banking products, offering customers access to investment, insurance, and wealth management solutions through integrated financial platforms.
Growing demand for managed investments
The partnership also highlights the increasing importance of professionally managed investment products in the Philippines, particularly as investors look for ways to diversify their portfolios and generate long-term returns.
Manulife Investments Philippines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Philippines, operates under a trust and fiduciary license granted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in 2017. The company is recognized as the country’s first trust corporation backed by a multinational financial services group.
According to Manulife Investments Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Aira Gaspar, the collaboration is designed to give investors broader access to global investment opportunities through a disciplined portfolio management approach.
“Our strategic partnership with PNB Securities reflects a shared commitment to broaden investment choices that deliver enduring value for investors,” Gaspar said. “We’re excited to provide PNB Wealth Management clients access to our differentiated suite of UITFs, enabling them to tap into our global investment capabilities.”
Wealth management becomes a strategic priority
IMAGE CREDIT: Freepik
For both institutions, the partnership represents more than a product distribution agreement. It forms part of a broader push to strengthen wealth management offerings as investor preferences continue to evolve.
Executives from PNB and PNB Securities noted that the collaboration aligns with efforts to meet growing demand for professionally managed investment solutions while supporting long-term wealth creation among clients.
As financial institutions compete to capture a larger share of the country’s growing investment market, partnerships such as this are becoming increasingly important in expanding product access, deepening customer relationships, and helping investors navigate an increasingly complex financial environment.
With the addition of Manulife’s UITFs to its investment platform, PNB Securities is positioning itself to serve a wider range of investors seeking diversified, professionally managed solutions backed by both local expertise and global investment resources.
