UnionBank Rolls Out PERA on Mobile to Simplify Retirement and Long-Term Savings

UnionBank brings PERA to mobile, making long-term investing more accessible for Filipinos

• Digital Access: A fully online PERA onboarding experience removes paperwork and simplifies long-term investing for Filipinos.
• Future Ready: The initiative supports stronger retirement planning beyond traditional pension systems like SSS and GSIS.
• Inclusive Growth: Backed by BSP and ATRAM Trust, the platform expands access to investment opportunities for more users.

Getting serious about long-term savings is often easier said than done. Between busy schedules, complex requirements, and the usual hesitation around investing, many Filipinos delay preparing for their financial future. Now, UnionBank of the Philippines is stepping in to simplify that journey with a new feature that brings retirement investing closer to everyday users.

Through its latest update on the UnionBank Online app, the bank introduces a more convenient way to open a Personal Equity and Retirement Account or PERA. Developed in collaboration with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and ATRAM Trust Corporation, this initiative is designed to help Filipinos build savings for the long term through a fully digital experience.

Preparing for the Future with PERA

PERA is a voluntary savings and investment program aimed at helping individuals grow their funds over time, particularly for retirement. It aligns with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ push to strengthen long-term financial wellbeing among Filipino families.

With the current economic landscape continuing to evolve, relying solely on traditional pension systems such as GSIS and SSS or even employer-provided retirement plans may not always be enough. PERA provides an additional avenue for individuals to invest in BSP-approved financial products that have the potential to grow over time.

This approach encourages Filipinos to take a more proactive stance when it comes to financial planning. Whether the goal is retirement, funding future milestones, or simply building a safety net, PERA offers flexibility and opportunity for growth that complements existing savings systems.

Making PERA More Accessible via UnionBank Online

One of the biggest barriers to investing has always been accessibility. Traditional processes often require multiple forms, document submissions, and in-person visits. UnionBank aims to remove these hurdles by offering a fully digital onboarding process directly within its mobile app.

Customers can now open a PERA account without going through lengthy paperwork or uploading numerous documents. Once onboarded, they can begin investing in BSP-accredited products and start growing their savings right away.

For this initial rollout, UnionBank partnered with ATRAM Trust Corporation, which serves as the trust entity handling administrative responsibilities. This collaboration also allows customers to access a broader selection of investment options tailored to different financial goals.

Ana Aboitiz Delgado, President and CEO of Union Bank of the Philippines, emphasized the vision behind this move. “We believe that preparing for the future should be simple, inclusive, and accessible to every Filipino. By fully digitizing PERA onboarding within UnionBank Online, we are removing traditional barriers to longterm investing and enabling our customers to start building financial security earlier, conveniently and confidently.”

The seamless integration of PERA into a secure digital platform is expected to encourage more Filipinos to begin saving and investing earlier in life, helping them build stronger financial foundations over time.

Just the Beginning of a More Seamless Experience

UnionBank sees this launch not as a final product, but as the starting point of a broader effort to improve how Filipinos interact with long-term financial tools. Future updates aim to deliver a fully integrated experience, covering everything from onboarding to account management in a streamlined, straight-through process.

This move also reflects UnionBank’s ongoing role in shaping digital banking in the Philippines. From supporting BSP-led Open Finance initiatives to introducing innovations like digital PERA onboarding, the bank continues to explore ways to make financial services more intuitive and accessible.

With PERA now available through UnionBank Online, users gain a smarter and more convenient option for investing in their future. It removes much of the friction traditionally associated with long-term investing, replacing it with a more user-friendly and inclusive approach.

As more Filipinos look for ways to secure their financial future, initiatives like this could play a key role in shifting habits toward earlier and more consistent investing.

For those interested in learning more about PERA via UnionBank Online, additional details are available on UnionBank’s official website. Union Bank of the Philippines is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and deposits are insured by PDIC up to PHP 1,000,000.