PNB opens global investment funds for small investors

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Bank is launching two new global feeder funds which will allow Filipino investors to further diversify their investments to include US and other globally-traded shares of stocks, according to the head of the Lucio Tan-controlled financial institution.

PNB president and CEO Wick Veloso said PNB’s trust banking group will make these funds available to Filipino investors who are looking to achieve long-term capital growth by investing at least 90 percent of their assets in a target fund.

“We understand the needs of some of our clients who have aggressive risk appetites or those who want to invest in global equities,” he said in a statement, adding that investing in the global feeder funds offer two key advantages for small investors.

“First, investors can have access to professional management of their funds,” he said. “The second advantage is instant diversification as investors gain exposure to international investment opportunities.”

The global feeder funds support companies with strong sustainability roadmaps.

The first fund is the PNB World Perspectives Equity Feeder Fund, which lets investors gain access to high-quality global companies with sustainable growth, through its target fund, the Franklin Global Growth Fund.

The other is the PNB US Equity Sustainability Leaders Feeder Fund, which allows clients to invest in US companies with superior environmental, social, and corporate governance standards through its target fund, the Legg Mason ClearBridge US Equity Sustainability Leaders Fund. The fund emphasizes sustainability criteria and incorporates them in the investment selection process, as opposed to simply considering the potential profitability of securities.

For this undertaking, PNB has partnered with Franklin Templeton, a global leader in asset management with more than seven decades of experience and with over $1.5 trillion in assets under management.

“The PNB Global Feeder Funds give our investors the ability to venture globally and diversify into global stocks.” PNB chief trust officer Jiah Santos said. “These funds are very affordable. Minimum investment is just $1,000.”

The PNB Global Feeder Funds are available through the PNB unit investment trust fund online facility and in all PNB branches across the country.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas approved the creation of the PNB Global Feeder Funds on June 15, 2021. Recently, the bank also made available its Personal Equity and Retirement Account or the PNB PERA Bond Fund, which allows investors to save and build their retirement fund.

TSB