BPI AMTC grows managed assets to P881 billion in end-September

MANILA, Philippines — BPI Asset Management and Trust Corp. (BPI AMTC) managed to expand its assets under management (AUM) by more than three percent to P881 billion in end- September last year from P854 billion in end-2020

The wealth management arm of Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) said it captured a market share of 18 percent in the Philippines as it continues to innovate BPI Invest funds that allow Filipinos to access the most promising industries in the local and global investment space.

Smith Chua, chief investment officer at BPI AMTC, said investing in 2021 presented unique challenges.

“The world economy was earlier anticipated to fully reopen this year, as the life-saving vaccines became available globally.  Instead, the world faced two new COVID virus variants, bringing back lockdowns and market volatility.  Investors who remained invested in diversified assets through these uncertain times saw their portfolio yield positive rewards at a time when current market yields have remained low,” Smith said.

Over the long term, Smith said the pandemic is expected to significantly change how people live and work.

“We are optimistic that people and companies will be able to adapt in order to make them more resilient,” Smith said.

Exhibiting resilience amid the headwinds that came with the pandemic, among its roster of top-performing funds this year are BPI Invest Global Equity Fund-of-Funds, BPI Invest Philippine Infrastructure Equity Index Fund, BPI Invest US Dollar Short Term Fund, and BPI Invest Money Market Fund.

BPI AMTC’s flagship global equity fund, the BPI Invest Global Equity Fund-of-Funds, reported a one-year return of 15.29 percent as of end- November, while its BPI Invest Philippine Infrastructure Equity Index Fund exhibited a stellar performance of 34.73 percent, as the influx on public infrastructure spending has given the sector a much needed boost and is expected to continue to fare well this year.

It also offers investors haven from the volatilities of today’s market, with money market funds that provide stable returns such as BPI Invest Money Market Fund for Philippine peso investors and BPI Invest US Dollar Short Term Fund for US dollar investors that posted 1.13 percent in returns, while the BPI Invest US Dollar Short Term Fund delivered 0.29 percent.

In an effort to regain investor confidence in the Philippines amid the backlash of the global pandemic, BPI AMTC president and CEO Sheila Mari Tan said the company launched a dynamic campaign through #TrustBPIInvest that aims to reintroduce its line of top-performing unit investment trust funds (UITFs) or the BPI Invest Funds.

“The campaign reflects our brand’s commitment to always be present in the lives of our customers. Whether they are starting out in their careers, planning their next destination, and building up funds for big purchases, beginning a family or thinking of retirement, our wide range of BPI Invest funds can cater to their specific needs. We believe that everyone’s journey is unique, and success is not always a linear path,” Tan said.