PNB Securities partners with Manulife unit to expand UITF offerings

by · BusinessWorld Online

PNB Securities, Inc. has partnered with Manulife Investment Management and Trust Corp. (Manulife Investments Philippines) to expand its unit investment trust fund (UITF) selection.

Through the agreement, PNB Securities, the brokerage arm of listed Philippine National Bank (PNB), in collaboration with the bank’s Wealth Management segment, will distribute UITFs offered by Manulife Investments Philippines.

“The collaboration reflects both institutions’ shared goal of promoting long-term wealth creation and providing clients with access to high-quality investment solutions backed by strong governance and expertise,” PNB Securities said in a statement on Tuesday.

This forms part of its efforts to meet growing demand for professionally managed and diversified wealth and investment solutions, it added.

“This partnership reinforces our strategic focus on enhancing our investment solutions and creating long-term value for our clients,” PNB Securities President Manuel G. 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.”

“Our strategic partnership with PNB Securities reflects a shared commitment to broaden investment choices that deliver enduring value for investors,” Manulife Investments Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Aira 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 and benefit from the disciplined investment management approach that Manulife Investment Management is known for.”

Manulife Investments Philippines offers various UITFs, including income-paying solutions that aim to generate recurring income and take advantage of long-term capital growth opportunities across various asset classes.

It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc. (Manulife Philippines). It has a trust and other fiduciary business license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and started operations in September 2017.

PNB Securities’ listed parent PNB saw its net profit grow by 5% year on year to P6.37 billion in the first quarter. Its shares closed at P58 apiece on Tuesday, up by 10 centavos or 0.17% from Monday’s close. — A.M.C. Sy