East West Banking Corporation (EastWest) championed the role of employers in strengthening retirement readiness among Filipino workers at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)-subsidized PERA@Work: Powering Employer-led Retirement Security Forum.
Speaking at the forum, EastWest CEO Jerry G. Ngo shared the Bank’s experience as the first universal bank in the Philippines to launch a voluntary Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) contribution program for employees.
“Financial empowerment is not only about access to products. It is also about building the knowledge and confidence to plan ahead,” Ngo said. “By facilitating access to PERA, EastWest is helping employees take a more active role in shaping their long-term financial future.”
Launched in April 2026, EastWest’s voluntary PERA program complements the Bank’s existing retirement benefits and forms part of its broader employee financial wellness strategy. The Bank partnered with DragonFi Securities for its employee PERA program, while EastWest PERA products are also available to customers through partnerships with DragonFi and Luna Securities, expanding access through digital investment platforms.
“PERA does not have to be complicated. But it can be meaningful. It can support employee financial wellness, strengthen your total rewards proposition, and help build trust by showing employees that the company is helping them prepare not only for work today, but for life later on,” Ngo continued.
Ngo also highlighted PERA’s role beyond retirement planning, describing it as a practical gateway to investing and financial literacy.
“PERA is not only a retirement account. It is a financial wellness platform,” Ngo continued. “The bigger opportunity is helping employees think more broadly about saving, investing, and building long-term financial resilience. When people gain the confidence to start investing for the future, everyone benefits.”
Ngo encouraged organizations to explore PERA as part of their employee financial wellness programs, noting that employers can help strengthen retirement readiness through education, access, and long-term financial planning.
The BSP forum brought together more than 300 attendees and leaders from government, banking, trust, investment, and corporate sectors to discuss how broader PERA adoption can help improve retirement security among Filipino workers. To know more about EastWest PERA products, contact your EastWest Relationship Manager or visit www.eastwestbanker.com.
