Security Bank launches Asia Pacific investment fund

Security Bank Corp. announced on Monday a new dollar-denominated unit investment trust fund (UITF) which tracks companies across the Asia Pacific region.

The SB Asia Pacific Equity Feeder Fund will feed into an off-shore fund managed by Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corp., the trust banking arm of Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG).

Among the companies that the fund is invested in are Chinese tech companies Tencent Holdings Ltd. and the Alibaba Group, and South Korea’s Samsung Electronics.

The companies are selected by an investment team in Singapore through an analysis according to specific criteria in investing in Asian companies.

“We assess companies with above average earnings growth and below average earnings volatility to consistently earn attractive long-term returns,” said Ernest Sutanto, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corp. co-chief manager for Asia Pacific.

“Our strategy is backed by a quantitative tool that allows us to build a universe of stocks that match our investment philosophy,” he said.

Retail investors of Security Bank may invest a minimum of $1,000, while Wealth Management clients are required to a minimum placement of $5,000.

“Through our partnership with MUFG, we are opening more opportunities for our clients to venture outside the Philippine market and invest in one of the most exciting and most promising regions in the world,” Security Bank President and CEO Alfonso Salcedo Jr. said. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News