AXA Phils. offers global investment opportunities

MANILA, Philippines - In the past few years, Filipinos have kept their faith on the US dollar as a safe and secure financial haven of personal funds.

Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show that US dollar and other foreign currency-denominated deposits held in banks operating in the country reached $25 billion at end-March 2012, up by 3.5 percent from end-December 2011 level. This amount is a significant increase from around $18 billion five years ago.

The steep growth comes mainly from locked-in deposits and investments of the country’s growing middle class driven by the country’s upbeat economic condition, which has since recovered from the 2008 global financial crisis.

However, as more dollar depositors explore lucrative investment options in the local and international financial markets, they open themselves to financial risks that could adversely affect their investments.

“As the US market outperformed other markets around the world in 2011, there are investors looking for a chance to ride on the upswing,” said Rien Hermans, president and CEO of AXA Philippines.

“However, with so much economic uncertainty happening worldwide, it is prudent to explore investment opportunities with financial partners you can trust and who have the global expertise,” cautioned the CEO.

To address the needs of high net worth clients, AXA Philippines offers the Global Advantage Fund, the first US dollar-denominated equity fund in the market today, accessible through dollar aXcess, a special 3GX offer, which is an investment-linked life insurance product that gives investors the opportunity to tap into the NASDAQ 100.

The NASDAQ 100 is the stock market index of the 100 largest non-financial companies from major industry groups such as biotechnology, computer hardware and software, retail/wholesale trade, and telecommunications that are listed in the NASDAQ, the second largest stock exchange in the world.

“As we always say in AXA, we redefine the way we do things to serve our clients’ unique needs. We give them what they need so we are with them in exploring the potential of growing their wealth in a dynamic index,” said Hermans.

According to AXA Philippines chief marketing officer Amor Balagtas, the country’s expanding export sector and active overseas employment base will continue to bring a huge, steady stream of US dollar inflows that are ideal for long-term investments.

“That’s why we are thrilled to introduce dollar aXcess in the Philippine market through the Global Advantage Fund which offers dollar investors a secure way to maximize investment returns while minimizing capital risks,” said Balagtas.

On top of an attractive investment opportunity in the US equity market, dollar aXcess offers two major benefits. First, it guarantees an 80 percent return of single premium provided there is no fund switching or withdrawal made until policy maturity.

Second, investors receive a guaranteed life insurance coverage equivalent to 125 percent of their single premium payment. To avail themselves of this exclusive offer, clients only need a minimum, one-time premium payment of $20,000.

“Everyone wants to make a good and secure investment, especially in light of past experience with global economic recession. What AXA Philippines offers is the opportunity to invest in the global market with minimized risk,” Balagtas said.

“Through dollar aXcess we give high net worth clients what they need in order to grow their wealth attractively and safely in the long-term,” Balagtas added.

AXA Philippines is borne out of the formidable synergy between Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., one of the country’s biggest and strongest financial institutions, and AXA, the world’s number one global insurance brand (based on the 2011 Interbrand Report).

AXA Philippines’ various products and services are available in over 500 Metrobank branches nationwide serviced by 450 AXA Philippines financial executives.

There are 1,500 AXA Philippines financial advisers and 26 branches nationwide to serve clients. Clients may also access information about their policies in the AXA Philippines website http://www.axa.com.ph/.

AXA, which originated in France, has global assets under management of more than one trillion euros. It has presence in 57 countries, serving a global clientele of 101 million.