EastWest Launches Retirement Readiness Program for Employees
EastWest Bank establishes a voluntary PERA program to facilitate long-term retirement savings for its employees.
East West Banking Corporation (EastWest) has launched its Voluntary Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) Contribution Program, giving employees a way to save and invest through accredited PERA products.
Introduced bank-wide during EastWest’s town hall on April 16, 2026, the program is in support of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ direction to encourage businesses nationwide to adopt company-sponsored PERA programs.
PERA, established under Republic Act No. 9505 (The PERA Act of 2008), is a voluntary retirement saving program designed to help Filipinos build a personal nest egg to supplement their mandatory retirement benefits, such as those from the SSS or the GSIS.
The Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act improved the tax incentives available to employer-sponsored PERA programs, making it more financially attractive for companies to contribute to employee retirement savings.
“Financial empowerment is not only about access to products. It is also about building the knowledge and confidence to plan ahead,” said Jerry G. Ngo, CEO of EastWest, in a May 18 press statement. PERA, he said, “helps employees take a more active role in shaping their long-term financial future.”
Under the PERA initiative, eligible EastWest employees are given the opportunity to participate in the program by providing express authorization that allows the Bank to make contributions on their behalf, together with their own personal contributions. Participation is voluntary, with the Bank facilitating awareness and onboarding support.
EastWest has partnered with DragonFi Securities Inc., a Securities and Exchange Commission-supervised PERA Administrator, to provide guided account setup, investment options, digital tools, and educational resources.
The program is non-exclusive, allowing employees to choose other accredited PERA Administrators.
Frequently Asked Questions
EastWest Bank’s Voluntary Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) Contribution Program gives eligible employees a way to save and invest through accredited PERA products.
DragonFi Securities Inc. is an SEC-supervised PERA Administrator that EastWest partnered with to manage account setup, investment options, digital tools, and educational resources for the program. The partnership is non-exclusive — EastWest employees may also choose other accredited PERA Administrators if they prefer.
The Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA) improved the tax incentives available to employer-sponsored PERA programs, making it more financially attractive for companies to contribute to employee retirement savings. EastWest’s PERA program was launched in part to support the BSP’s direction for businesses to adopt such programs nationwide.
No. Participation in EastWest’s Voluntary PERA Contribution Program is optional. Eligible employees choose to join by providing express authorization for the bank to make contributions on their behalf, alongside their own personal contributions. The bank provides awareness and onboarding support, but does not require enrollment.
EastWest CEO Jerry G. Ngo said financial empowerment is not only about product access but also about building the knowledge and confidence to plan ahead. He described the PERA program as a way to help employees take a more active role in shaping their long-term financial future.
