How to invest in the Philippine stock market as an American

Emerging markets offer smart ways to grow your portfolio, and the Philippines is catching the eye of US investors. If you are an American looking to buy stocks there, you might wonder where to start.

This guide breaks down how to get started. We explore why the stock market builds wealth and the steps Americans can take to invest in the Philippines. We also compare five trading platforms, looking at fees, currencies, and why they fit your strategy.

By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of how to navigate the Philippine stock exchange from the US.

We'll also introduce the Wise account, which allows you to send, spend, and receive your money across the globe in over 40 currencies – all at the fair mid-market rate.

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This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise US Inc. or its affiliates. It is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

Why is investing in stocks so popular?

Here is why people like to invest in stocks:

• Growth potential: Over the long term, stocks tend to beat savings accounts and outpace inflation
• Asset variety: You can spread your money across sectors like technology, healthcare, and real estate to match your goals
• Diversification: Holding a mix of stocks or funds spreads your risk, so a dip in one area can be offset by a rise in another
• Dividend income: Many established companies pay regular dividends, which gives you income even when share prices fall
• Easy access: Online platforms let you buy, sell, and track your portfolio from your phone or laptop

As an American buying Philippine stocks, your return depends on two things moving in your favor: the stock itself and the PHP against the USD. A stock can climb, while a weaker PHP eats your gains when you convert back to USD.

How to invest in the Philippine stock market as an American?

Becoming an investor in the Philippines is a relatively straightforward process. You open a trading account, provide your identification, and meet the broker's starting requirements.

Here are the steps.

1. Choose a stockbroker

You first need an accredited stockbroker or trading participant to act as your agent. The PSE has over 100 licensed stockbrokers to choose from.¹

You can go with an online broker that you manage over the internet, or a traditional broker who handles your account by phone and written instructions.

2. Open a trading account

To open an account, you usually have to fill out a Customer Account Information Form (CAIF) and provide two valid IDs, specimen signature cards, and proof of billing.

Some brokers ask for extra documents, so check their list before you start.

3. Fund your account

Next, you deposit your initial cash. Minimums vary by broker, and some even have no required minimums to open your account.

4. Place your orders

Once your account is open, you can buy or sell the stocks you want. You place orders yourself through an online platform, or call your traditional broker to do it for you.

5. Monitor your portfolio

Once your orders are complete, you should keep track of your investments. Your broker has to send you a monthly statement of account and share information relevant to your holdings.

What’s the best way to send money internationally?

Banks are certainly one option for sending money internationally, as are services like PayPal. But the problem with banks is they can often be slow, expensive and inconvenient. Luckily, there’s a better alternative out there.

You can send money worldwide with Wise for low fees and the mid-market exchange rate. It’s easy and quick to set up a payment online, and you’re guaranteed secure transfers even when sending large sums.

Wise is a money service business (MSB) regulated by 12 international financial authorities and uses sophisticated security features to keep you and your money safe.

Open a Wise account, and you can send, spend and convert between 40+ currencies whenever you need to. You can even receive money from all over the world using your own local account details.

As if all that wasn’t enough, there’s a Wise Multi-Currency Card too. For a one-time fee of just $9, you can spend in over 150 countries in the local currency. Your USD is automatically converted at the mid-market rate for just a small conversion fee.

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💡 Need to make a business payment? With the Wise Business account, you can send up to 1,000,000 USD per transfer from licensed states.

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Best trading platforms to invest in the Philippine stock market

Choosing the right platform is critical. You want a broker with fair fees, good currency support, and a user-friendly interface. Here are five platforms that stand out for Americans looking to invest in the Philippines.

1. Interactive Brokers²

Interactive Brokers is a US-based platform built for global investing that gives you access to stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, and more across 170+ markets from a single account.

On fees, IBKR Lite gives you 0 USD commissions on US-listed stocks and ETFs, while IBKR Pro charges 0.005 USD per share. You can also earn up to 3.12% on uninvested cash and borrow at margin rates as low as 4.12%.

Why it works for Americans: It's regulated by the SEC and a member of NYSE, FINRA, and SIPC, so you keep your money inside a US-regulated entity

2. COL Financial³

COL Financial is a PSE-accredited online broker that brings stocks, mutual funds, and UITFs together on one platform. It backs this with what it calls the COL Advantage, which is an online platform that delivers research, analysis, and access to market data to guide your decisions.

For investors who want to build positions gradually, the Easy Investment Program lets you invest on a regular schedule using cost averaging, regardless of age, income, or experience. You can also test the platform with a free 7-day trial and get up to speed through COL's free investor seminars.

Why it works for Americans: COL is regulated by the SEC and is a PSE Trading Participant and SCCP and SIPF member, giving you well-supported access to the local Philippine market.

3. First Metro Securities (FirstMetroSec)

First Metro Securities (FirstMetroSec) is the online stock brokerage arm of First Metro Investment Corporation, part of the Metrobank Group. It gives you a way to trade Philippine-listed stocks online, and you can hold either a PHP or a USD account.

However, this one mainly suits Americans already living in the Philippines because a foreign national can only open an account with local residency documents, along with a foreign passport and an Enhanced Due Diligence form.⁴

Why it works for Americans: USD account support lets you fund and trade in USD without converting to PHP first.

4. BPI Trade⁵

BPI Trade⁵ is the online trading platform of BPI Securities Corporation, part of one of the Philippines' largest and most trusted banks.

It lets you trade Philippine-listed stocks with no minimum initial investment, a 0.25% commission rate, no platform fees, and free funding, backed by a research team covering around 45 local companies.

Why it works for Americans: It offers USD-denominated securities, so you can invest through a USD account rather than converting to pesos.

5. DragonFi⁶

DragonFi is a technology-driven investment platform from DragonFi Securities Inc., built to give Filipino investors a modern, mobile-first way into the markets.

It charges a flat 0.25% commission with no minimum commission fee and no subscription or platform fees. However, Americans won't be able to open a PERA+ account because of US tax and reporting laws.

Why it works for Americans: A foreigner can open an account, as long as they have a Philippine Tax Identification Number (TIN) and a local bank account for withdrawals⁷

Bottom line

Investing in the Philippine stock market is well within reach for Americans. Whether you want the familiarity of Interactive Brokers, the regular investing tools of COL Financial, or the USD convenience of BPI Trade, there is a platform to suit you.

That said, some local platforms ask foreign investors for a Philippine Tax Identification Number (TIN), and some will only open your account if you already hold residency in the Philippines.

Review each platform's fees and requirements before you open an account, and enjoy the benefits of global investing.

*Eligibility is subject to verification of customers' identity.

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Sources

1. Jollibee Group - Investor FAQ
2. Interactive Brokers - Home
3. COL Financial - Home
4. FirstMetroSec - Account Opening Requirements
5. BPI Trade - Our approach
6. DragonFI - Home
7. DragonFi - If I’m not a Filipino citizen, can I open an account?

Sources checked 06/29/2026