First Metro targets tech-savvy yuppies

CEBU, Philippines - The First Metro Securities Brokerage Corp. will be introducing a sophisticated and user-friendly online platform to encourage the new generation of money earners to put their hard-earned cash in sound investment tools.

"We are targeting the younger investor crowd as they are into digital technology. They are the market who puts premium on ease and convenience," said First Metro Securities president Gonzalo Ordoñez.

Top officials from the company were in Cebu recently to formally introduce its FundsMart and Margin Account to drum-start its aggressive penetration to the young investors.

The officials also introduced to Cebuanos its enhanced mobile app that allows investors to view real-time data, check positions and balances, view charts with technical indicators, and create watch lists among others. This free app is available for Android and iOS users.

An investment arm of Metrobank Group, First Metro Securities sees a tremendous potential for growth among young and digital-savvy investors.

Although, at present the company admitted that there is still little participation from the younger bunch, but what is apparent is their interest and high disposal income.

Mhelvin Abajon, First Metro Securities department head for institutional sales and business development, said that of the company's overall investor profile, the young investors or what is known as millennial still covers 20 percent.

So far, the company noted that the young investors are more inclined on putting their money in the equity funds, which means that the new batch of investors are more adventurous and risk takers.

"Millennials are inherently adventurous," this breed is interested more on higher returns despite the high risk added Ordoñez.

FundsMart allows an investor to invest in more than 25 peso-denominated mutual funds from six fund houses. (FREEMAN)