UnionBank rolls out digital PERA to boost long-term savings

Insider Spotlight

• UnionBank launches fully digital PERA onboarding via its app
• Initiative aligns with BSP push for financial inclusion
• ATRAM Trust joins as investment and admin partner
• Product targets retirement gaps beyond SSS and GSIS
  
  
  

UnionBank of the Philippines is rolling out a fully digital Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) onboarding feature, marking a push to simplify long-term investing for Filipinos.

Retirement readiness remains a weak spot across the Philippines, where state-backed pensions and employer plans often fall short. PERA is designed to close that gap by offering tax-exempted, long-term investment options regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

What’s new

UnionBank’s latest feature removes traditional friction points such as paperwork and multiple document uploads. Customers can now open PERA accounts directly through the UnionBank Online app and begin investing in BSP-accredited products.

The bank partnered with ATRAM Trust Corp. to deliver the initial investment infrastructure and administrative support, broadening product access for users.

What they’re saying

“We believe that preparing for the future should be simple, inclusive, and accessible to every Filipino,” Ana Aboitiz Delgado, Union Bank of the Philippines president and CEO, said in a press statement on April 28, 2026.

 “By fully digitizing PERA onboarding within UnionBank Online, we are removing traditional barriers to long-term investing and enabling our customers to start building financial security earlier, conveniently and confidently,” Delgado added.

Between the lines

The move reflects a broader industry shift toward embedded finance and mobile-first wealth products. By integrating retirement planning into everyday banking apps, institutions aim to capture younger, digitally native savers earlier in their financial journey.

 Ana Aboitiz Delgado, Union Bank of the Philippines president and CEO

“We believe that preparing for the future should be simple, inclusive, and accessible to every Filipino.” 

Zoom out

The BSP has been actively promoting PERA adoption as part of its financial inclusion agenda. Despite being introduced over a decade ago, uptake has been limited due to complexity and low awareness. Digitization could be the catalyst for wider adoption.

What’s next

UnionBank says this is only the first phase. The lender plans to roll out a more seamless, end-to-end PERA experience, covering onboarding through account management in a straight-through digital journey.

The bottom line

By embedding PERA into its app, UnionBank is betting that convenience—not just incentives—will drive Filipinos to invest for the long term. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma