BPI advocates financial wellness for the masses

CEBU, Philippines - Big financial institutions in the country led by Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) intensified efforts to promote financial wellness by focusing mainly on the mainstream market.

The two-day event dubbed "The Money Summit & Wealth Expo" held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino" which opened yesterday hopes to convince the Cebuano market to consider investments and savings as part of their lifestyle.

Ma. Theresa Javier, group head of BPI asset management & Trust Group said that Filipinos should be made more aware of the rich opportunity for investments the Philippines is offering today, strengthen by low interest rates regime, and strong external position, among others.

BPI is joined by giants in the financial and investment powerhouses such as Philam Life, Philam Asset Mnagement Inc. (PAMI), and other companies under the BPI group like BPI Family Bank, among others.

Started in 2010, the Money Summit & Wealth Expo has attracted over a thousand investors, traders, and entrepreneurs from across the Philippines.

This esteemed event is the only conference and expo in the Philippines on investing and trading, dedicated to educating and empowering self-directed individual investors through access to investment experts and a market showcase of financial instruments and real estate projects.

Javier added that BPI has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive asset management and financial planning services for individuals and businesses.

Over the years, Javier emphasized that BPI has continued to lead financial literacy activities for its customers and even the public at large--through free financial wellness seminars in its branches and in the offices of its corporate clients, employees, from financial empowerment events for investors here, to caravans for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Mario Miranda, division head for wealth management, AMTG, BPI, said that investing should be part of every Filipino's lifestyle—just like what the rich are doing.

He stressed that the reason why the rich becomes richer because they know very well how to manage their money wisely.

Savings, putting one's money into investment whether big or small is the key to achieving financial wellness, regardless of social status.

In the Philippines today, only 20 percent of the 99 million Filipinos has bank account, and for BPI, only two percent of its customer base have investments.