MANILA—GCash is launching a new feature on its GStocks PH platform that will allow everyday Filipino investors to easily participate in initial public offerings (IPOs) through broker AB Capital Securities Inc.
The move aims to democratize access to public listings, which historically presented fragmented and inconvenient processes for retail investors.
The new IPO subscription feature, which enables individual investors to subscribe to shares when a company first lists on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), will debut on GStocks PH within the GCash app from Oct. 23 to Oct. 29.
The launch period aligns with the upcoming Maynilad share sale, marking the first time the feature is utilized. It will be available for all initial listings moving forward.
In the past, retail investors faced limited assurance of share allocation and often had to complete transactions outside of a broker’s main trading platform.
GCash said it is addressing these barriers by offering a fully digital, unified experience. Users can now open a stock trading account, fund it from their GCash wallet, and subscribe to IPO shares all in one place.
The feature enhances transparency by showing investors, in real-time, the number of shares still available for subscription through their broker. It also immediately confirms successful allocation. Shares will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, mitigating the issue of oversubscription where retail investors were not always guaranteed shares.
“Through GStocks PH, we’re ushering in a completely digital IPO experience that addresses traditional barriers that limited how ordinary Filipinos participated in public listings in the past,” said Winsley Bangit, group head of new businesses at Mynt (the parent company of GCash).
He said the goal is to extend the convenience experienced by institutional investors to individuals, ensuring a transparent and compliant investment environment.
AB Capital Securities Inc. research head Hazel Tanedo Tan echoed this sentiment. “Through our continued partnership with GCash, AB Capital Securities is proud to make IPOs more accessible to Filipinos by bringing a fully digital experience via GStocks PH,” said Tan.
To utilize the feature, fully verified GCash users with updated KYC should go to GInvest in the GCash app and register for GStocks PH.
The service will be available during future IPOs and FOOs (follow-on offerings) via AB Capital Securities Inc.
