Which employers in the Philippines are the best places to launch a career in finance? Here’s what our research says about the best financial institutions for fresh grads.
Our latest study compares the popularity and quality of five high-ranking graduate employers.
Do you want more details about the study? Here’s the full methodology.
If you trust our research, read on to discover more about the five best graduate employers for fresh finance grads.
The givens
The best places to launch a career in finance have one thing in common: learning opportunities in niche markets. Fresh finance grads can gain meaningful experience in any of the following:
The good news
Despite the hectic work schedules of employees, the top graduate employers recognize excellent performance.
These companies motivate employees by offering monetary incentives (e.g., profit sharing) and non-monetary perks (e.g., remote work set-up).
Note the numbers, yet trust your gut
Only two of the top five financial institutions in the Philippines score at least 4.0 out of 5 stars. Based on percentage points, one graduate employer (4.2) has a considerable lead over another financial institution (3.6).
The ratings for the three other companies range between 3.8 and 4.0. While there is a noticeable difference in ratings, trust your gut when choosing the right employer. Read reviews from every graduate employer’s past and present employees.
PNB began as a government-owned commercial bank in 1916, eventually becoming the first universal bank in 1980. The company only became a private-owned bank in 2007, following a privatization deal with the Philippine government.
As of 2022, PNB is the country’s fifth-largest bank with total assets of more than Php 1.1 trillion. The bank employs more than 8,000 people working in 670 branches. These employees have a median tenure of 4.1 years.
Top 100 ranking
PNB ranks 65th on our list of the Top 100 Employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score of 4.0 out of 5 stars
PNB scores decent marks in six criteria with no significant gap among the categories. The bank gets the highest points for career opportunities, diversity and inclusion (3.9 stars).
PNB gets 3.8 stars for its benefits and compensation, as well as culture and values. Employees rate their senior management and work-life balance with 3.6 stars and 3.4 stars, respectively.
Top 3 upsides
The downside
Past and present finance employees believe that PNB can improve by offering more training programs and opportunities for promotion.
Roles
PNB allows fresh finance grads to hasten their career growth through the Junior Executive Development Institute Program. The six-month management training program aims to develop future bank officers. Find out more about the latest graduate jobs and internships.
Security Bank is best known as one of the 10 largest commercial and universal banks in the Philippines. As of 2022, the bank’s total assets reached more than Php 724 billion.
The company focuses on financial markets, retail banking and wholesale banking as its three primary business lines. More than 7,100 employees work in over 300 branches nationwide. The median tenure of these employees is approximately 3.1 years.
Top 100 ranking
Security Banks ranks 71st on our list of the Top 100 Employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score of 3.8 out of 5 stars
Security Bank scores the highest for diversity and inclusion with 4.1 stars. Employees rate their work-life balance with 3.9 stars.
The company achieves 3.8 stars for culture and values, while career opportunities score 3.6 stars. Its compensation and benefits, though, get mixed feedback (3.5 stars). Security Bank scores the lowest for senior management (3.2 stars).
Top 3 upsides
The downside
Fresh finance grads might experience a prolonged career progression at Security Bank. It may take several years to land a promotion.
Roles
Security Bank often recruits fresh finance grads as administrative assistants, analytics specialists or telesales associates. View the latest graduate jobs and internships.
Founded in 1994, EastWest became the first commercial banking licensee in the Philippines. The bank derives its name from two factors: reflecting the East’s hospitality and the West’s progressive ways.
EastWest’s aggressive expansion since the 2000s led it to become among the country’s largest banks. As of 2022, the bank’s total assets reached over Php 380 billion.
EastWest employs more than 5,000 people working in 400+ locations. These employees have a median tenure of 4.7 years.
Top 100 ranking
EastWest ranks 86th on our list of the Top 100 Employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score of 3.6 out of 5 stars
EastWest’s ratings in six categories fall behind the five other top graduate employers. The bank scores 3.8 stars for its culture and values, and 3.7 stars for diversity and inclusion.
Employees have mixed feedback on the company’s career opportunities (3.5 stars). EastWest gets 3.3 stars for senior management, benefits and compensation. In terms of work-life balance, the company scores the lowest with 2.9 stars.
Top 3 upsides
The downside
Be ready to cope with an overtime culture and heavy workloads, according to past and present finance employees at EastWest.
Roles
Fresh finance grads can join EastWest as collections associates or treasury sales officers. See the latest graduate jobs and internships.
COL is one of the leading stockbrokers in the Philippines. Founded in 1999, the company serves over 500,000 clients. It claims to be the best online stockbroker in the country.
Fresh finance grads can work at the company’s headquarters in Pasig City. COL also has four investor centers in Cebu City, Davao City, Ilocos Norte and Makati City. The financial institution employs more than 200 employees, with a median tenure of approximately 5.3 years.
Top 100 ranking
COL ranks 96th on our list of the Top 100 Employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score of 4.2 out of 5 stars
COL gets the highest marks among the top five graduate employers of finance grads. It only scores below 4.0 stars for benefits and compensation (3.9 stars).
Employees rate the company’s culture and values, as well as work-life balance, with 4.5 stars. Senior management, diversity and inclusion score 4.4 stars. In terms of career opportunities, COL gets 4.1 stars.
Top 3 upsides
The downside
COL needs to implement more training programs for professional growth, according to some employees.
Roles
COL may recruit fresh finance grads as accounting assistants and equity research analysts. See the latest graduate jobs and internships.
DBP operates as a government-owned development bank. Founded in 1935, the institution changed its name several times until 1958.
Unlike other banks in the Philippines, most of DBP’s clients belong to the agricultural and industrial sectors. The bank prioritizes small- and medium-scale businesses.
As of 2022, DBP is the country’s sixth-largest bank with more than Php 1 trillion of total assets. The state-owned bank employs more than 3,500 people working in over 140 locations. Among the top graduate employers, DPB employees have the longest median tenure (i.e., 6.5 years).
Top 100 ranking
DBP ranks 147th on our list of the Top 100 Employers for 2022.
Reviews - overall score of 3.9 out of 5 stars
DBP scores 3.7 stars for its benefits and compensation, as well as diversity and inclusion. Employees rate their career opportunities, senior management and work-life balance with 3.6 stars. DBP gets the lowest score for culture and values (3.4 stars).
Top 3 upsides
The downside
Most entry-level job applicants at DBP require an eligibility certificate from the Civil Service Commission. This is a common requirement for joining a government-owned financial institution.
Roles
DBP advertises its latest graduate jobs and internships on its careers website. Fresh finance grads can join the company as accounts management analysts or bank tellers.