Despite their vital contribution to the national economy, less than 1% of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) currently maintain stock market accounts, representing a massive untapped potential for the Philippine capital market, according to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).
Responding to the PSE’s call to action, The Systembrand Group announced a strategic push through its Europe-based initiative, Conectando Filipinas, aimed at empowering OFWs as long-term, informed participants in domestic securities.
Conectando Filipinas is prioritizing Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) as a compelling and accessible entry point for OFWs seeking stable, long-term investments. REITs allow retail investors to earn regular income through dividends while gaining exposure to a diversified portfolio of income-generating assets, ranging from office buildings and malls to warehouses and renewable energy infrastructure.
“With their simplified investment process and mandated dividend payouts, REITs present a practical way for small-scale investors—especially OFWs—to participate in the growth of income-generating real estate assets,” said Juan Martin Buñag, Systembrand Group’s Representative in Madrid. “Investors become part owners of these properties without needing to purchase them outright, benefiting from the income they generate.”
The market potential of this engagement is significant. Conectando Filipinas estimates that if just 14,000 of the 182,191 OFWs in Europe invested 20% (or $60 USD) of their monthly $300 remittances, the resulting trade value could inject approximately $840,000 (PhP42 million) into the domestic market from new investors.
To realize this potential, the Group is championing its differentiated value proposition, “Formas de Ganar” or “Ways of Earning,” which emphasizes financial literacy and stable investment pathways. The anchor program, ConectaInver, spotlights REITs as a resilient and salable option due to their accessibility and resistance to certain market volatilities.
“Our approach is not just about financial inclusion, but about helping OFWs and their families stay on course,” emphasized Lito Buñag, Systembrand Group Head. “We want to optimize their financial resources by assuring them of ways to obtain sufficient return on investments and of sustaining their quality of life and livelihood.”
To optimize REITs’ earning potential among the OFW community in Europe, Conectando Filipinas is launching a series of targeted financial literacy webinars in key markets, including the UK, Spain, Italy, and Austria. These programs contextualize investment strategies within everyday realities like cost of living and lifestyle budgeting, ensuring OFWs make informed decisions for both present needs and future security.
