Story perspectives

Manulife Boosts Financial Literacy in the Philippines

9/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Manulife is expanding financial literacy initiatives in the Philippines, adapting successful programs from Malaysia.
The Peso Smart program, launched in 2017, now includes universities and parents, with over 400 graduates.
Insurance penetration in mature markets like Hong Kong is 19-20%, compared to 2-5% in emerging markets like India.
Barriers to insurance include affordability, limited income, and cultural taboos around death and aging.
Manulife highlights the benefits of early insurance enrollment, as premiums are lower for healthier individuals around age 25.

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Story summary

Manulife is expanding financial literacy initiatives in the Philippines, adapting successful programs from Malaysia.
The Peso Smart program, launched in 2017, now includes universities and parents, with over 400 graduates.
Insurance penetration in mature markets like Hong Kong is 19-20%, compared to 2-5% in emerging markets like India.
Barriers to insurance include affordability, limited income, and cultural taboos around death and aging.
Manulife highlights the benefits of early insurance enrollment, as premiums are lower for healthier individuals around age 25.