EastWest expands EasyMobility program to empower more schools and community institutions

Following VisMin rollout, EastWest extends EasyMobility for Community Program to support to more institutions

EastWest is expanding its EasyMobility for Community Program, providing mobility support to institutions that play a vital role in education, youth formation, and community development. The Bank recently donated vehicles to Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary and Jubilee Christian Academy to help broaden their outreach initiatives and extend their impact to more communities.

The latest turnover marks another milestone in EastWest's nationwide EasyMobility for Community Program, following earlier donations to nonprofit and educational institutions across Cebu, Negros Occidental, and Davao. By providing reliable transportation, the program helps partner organizations extend educational services, skills development programs, community engagement activities, and youth-centered initiatives.

From first coffee to midnight cravings: How foodpanda and EastWest are making everyday food spending more rewarding

A partnership that combines everyday convenience with easier, more rewarding banking

Food delivery has become part of the daily routine for many Filipinos. On foodpanda Philippines, orders peak at around 11 a.m. for lunch and 6 p.m. for dinner, while Saturday is the busiest day. From workday meals to weekend orders and late-night cravings, customers now turn to delivery throughout the day.

The opportunity also extends beyond the usual lunch and dinner rush. Between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., burgers account for 25.3% of foodpanda’s midnight deliveries, showing how delivery continues to meet customer needs even after regular meal hours.

EastWest Builds Smarter, More Relevant Banking for Customers

EastWest is advancing a smarter, easier and more customer-focused model of banking--using data to deliver more relevant financial options, improving everyday service experiences, and helping broaden investor access to one of the country’s landmark public offerings.

These initiatives earned EastWest three major recognitions from Asian Banking & Finance (ABF): Mid-Sized Retail Bank of the Year – Philippines and Analytics Initiative of the Year – Philippines, both for the second consecutive year at the Asian Banking and Finance Retail Banking Awards, and its first IPO Deal of the Year – Philippines award at the Asian Banking and Finance Corporate and Investment Banking Awards.

The awards demonstrate the impact of EastWest’s continued push to make banking more intuitive, accessible, and relevant to customers’ evolving financial needs. The Bank combines digital convenience with personal, advisory-led service across its store network which provides customers with more ways to transact, seek guidance, and manage their money with confidence. In 2025, digital transactions accounted for 51% of total transactions, while new digital onboarding capabilities enabled customers to open accounts and access services with less time and effort.

EastWest also completed customer journey improvements across digital onboarding, dispute resolution, complaints handling, and in-store experience. These enhancements helped drive an eight-point improvement in the Bank’s Net Promoter Score and a lower complaints ratio, reflecting stronger customer experience outcomes.

“Our progress begins with understanding what customers genuinely need and removing the friction that can get in their way,” said Ms. Ivy B. Uy, EVP and Head of Branch Banking Group. “Whether they are opening an account, exploring an investment, growing a business, or planning for the future, we want every interaction with EastWest to feel more relevant, thoughtful, and easy.”

The same customer-first discipline also shaped EastWest’s award-winning analytics initiative. As market conditions evolved and customer preferences shifted, the Bank used data-driven insights to better understand how customers manage savings, investments, and liquidity across different life stages and financial goals.

These insights gave EastWest Stores and relationship managers a stronger basis for meaningful customer conversations, enabling more personalized guidance on fixed-income investment options while supporting both immediate needs and long-term financial planning.

Beyond retail banking, EastWest was also recognized for its role in expanding access to the Philippine capital market as a Domestic Participating Underwriter for the initial public offering of Maynilad Water Services, Inc.

Completed in November 2025, the transaction became one of the largest initial public offerings in Philippine history and drew strong investor interest, reinforcing confidence in the country’s capital markets.

Through its distribution network and client relationships, EastWest helped support domestic and retail investor participation, contributing to a more diversified shareholder base. The offering also strengthened Maynilad’s capital base for long-term water and wastewater infrastructure investments while broadening its access to funding.

“These recognitions reflect different strengths of the Bank, but they are connected by one purpose: creating meaningful value for the people and institutions we serve,” Uy added. “They encourage us to keep listening, learning, and finding better ways to help our customers move forward.”

EastWest’s latest ABF wins validate its customer-focused growth strategy: using insight to make financial decisions more relevant, improving access across physical and digital channels, and connecting more Filipinos to opportunities in banking and investment.

EastWest and SMU Mark Graduation of Wealth Management Program Participants

The program reflects the Bank’s deliberate commitment to investing in people.

Over 80 bankers from EastWest completed the Singapore Management University (SMU) Wealth Management Programme

East West Banking Corporation (EastWest) marked the graduation of over 80 bankers from the Singapore Management University (SMU) Wealth Management Programme, reinforcing the Bank’s strategic investment in talent development and client-centered advisory excellence.

EastWest strengthens wealth management platform with focus on advisory and investment expertise

Building wealth today requires careful decisions across investments, liquidity, protection, and long-term financial planning. For many clients, access to sound advice and strong investment management remains as important as the products themselves.

As EastWest continues to invest in these capabilities and expand its wealth management offerings, its efforts have earned global recognition. The Bank recently received two honors at the Global Private Banking Innovation Awards: the Wealth Management team was awarded Outstanding Client Experience in Wealth Management, while the Trust & Asset Management Group was recognized for Best Discretionary & Advisory Service Offering in the Philippines.

EastWest Brings Back Donny Pangilinan, Doubles Down on the Next Generation

EastWest Chief Marketing and Cash Management Officer Martin Reyes with EastWest Brand Ambassador Donny Pangilinan

He’s back! East West Banking Corporation (EastWest) has renewed its partnership with actor and digital personality Donny Pangilinan, officially extending his role as brand ambassador for another year. Together, they’re on a mission to make banking something younger Filipinos actually want to talk about: the EastWest app, new products and services, real conversations in communities, and a shared conviction that banking should just be easier.

“Donny doesn’t just reach young Filipinos, he connects with them” said Martin Reyes, EastWest Chief Marketing and Cash Management Officer. “We want this generation to see EastWest as their bank, the one that understands what they need, whether it’s a better app experience, products that make sense for their lives, or just banking that doesn’t feel like a chore. Donny tells that story better than anyone.”

EastWest, Puregold award BYD Seagull EV to ‘Always Panalo’ Visa promo grand winner

Raffle promo turns everyday grocery runs and card spending into big-ticket rewards

Maria Theresa Aguilar (middle), winner of the EastWest Puregold Always Panalo Visa Raffle Promo, receives her BYD Seagull EV from EastWest’s Romae Bargo (Product Management Officer) and Krisselle Sison (SAVP and Elite Products Head)

East West Banking Corporation (EastWest), together with Puregold Price Club, has awarded a BYD Seagull to the grand prize winner of the EastWest Puregold Always Panalo Visa Raffle Promo, highlighting how routine grocery spending and everyday card use can translate into major rewards.

EastWest Earns Citations for Excellence in Corporate Financing

Wins at the 19th Alpha Southeast Asia Best Deal & Solution Awards 2025 reflect EastWest’s strength in capital markets execution

EastWest has secured major distinctions at the 19th Annual Alpha Southeast Asia Best Deal & Solution Awards & ESG Awards 2025, highlighting the bank’s expanding role in the country’s capital markets and its capability to deliver high-impact financing solutions for industry-shaping corporations.

As Domestic Participating Underwriter, EastWest played a key role in Maynilad Water Services, Inc.’s landmark PHP 34.3 billion Initial Public Offering (IPO), the second largest IPO in Philippine history, which earned the titles Best IPO for Retail Investors in Asia 2025 and Best Equity/IPO Deal of the Year in the Philippines 2025. 

EastWest Rural Bank Marks 12th Anniversary with Outreach Program for Schools in Remote and Typhoon-Hit Areas

EastWest Rural Bank (EWRB) marked its 12th anniversary with an outreach initiative that reached schools located in far-flung communities and areas affected by Typhoons Tino and Uwan. The program ran from November 5 to 20, 2025, covering selected public schools across Regions 5, 6, 7, and 11.

A total of 590 learners and 49 teachers received Jollibee meals, drawing and coloring materials, rice packs, and EWRB giveaways as part of the Bank’s anniversary activities.

According to Sheila Marasigan-Bajado, President of EastWest Rural Bank, the activity shows the Bank’s intention to stay present in the communities it serves:

EastWest leads the way with Google Pay™

Among the first Philippine banks to champion secure, seamless mobile payments

EastWest takes another bold step in digital innovation as it becomes one of the first Philippine banks to launch Google Pay™, enabling EastWest Visa and Mastercard Credit cardholders to make faster, safer, and more convenient payments using their Android devices.

This milestone is part of EastWest’s deliberate strategy to redefine how Filipinos pay by leveraging technology to make everyday transactions simpler, smarter, and more secure. Through Google Wallet™, customers can easily add their EastWest cards and enjoy tap-to-pay convenience at any contactless-enabled terminal, or checkout online without manually entering card details.

Every transaction is safeguarded by advanced tokenization technology backed by EastWest’s trusted security systems, which replaces actual card numbers with unique digital codes. Merchants never see or store real card information; giving customers confidence and control every time they pay.

EastWest Wins National Award for People Program of the Year at the 2025 PMAP Awards

“People Experience Made Easy” recognized for simplifying and humanizing HR transformation

EastWest has been recognized with the  People Program of the Year – National Winner at the 2025 People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Awards held at Nustar Resort and Casino in Cebu.

Of the 23 organizations evaluated nationwide, six were recognized as Regional Exemplars, and only three programs emerged as National Winners. EastWest was the sole honoree singled out for its innovative and sustainable HR transformation program, People Experience Made Easy, aligning with this year’s PMAP theme:

EastWest Leads Tourism Empowerment as Major Sponsor of Philippine Travel Mart 2025

EastWest joined the Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) 2025 as a major sponsor, backing the growth of tourism through accessible financing, digital tools, and collaborations across the industry. Speaking at the opening ceremony, EastWest CEO Jerry Ngo addressed industry stakeholders with a powerful call to reimagine tourism not just as a destination economy, but as a platform for identity, livelihood, and national pride.

As EastWest CEO Ngo puts it, “Filipino hospitality is never transactional; it is deeply personal. Tourism is not just an industry for us. It is an ecosystem--one we want to nurture from the ground up through partnerships and collaborations.”

Double Win for EastWest at The Asian Banker Philippine Excellence Awards 2025

Recognized for Best Foreign Exchange Service and Best Digital Ecosystem & Platform

East West Banking Corporation (EastWest) earned two top honors at The Asian Banker Philippine Excellence Awards 2025, winning Best Foreign Exchange Service and Best Digital Ecosystem & Platform. These show EastWest’s drive to deliver high-value, customer-focused, and innovative banking solutions for Filipinos at every life stage.

These awards capture the heart of EastWest’s mission to make banking easier and more inclusive. Whether through competitive and transparent foreign exchange services or a digital ecosystem designed for all, the Bank continues to build solutions that meet the unique needs of every customer at every stage of their financial journey. This is the EasyWay to Bank.

From L–R: EastWest Chief Digital Officer, Harvey Libarnes; Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Issa Yap; Metro Manila Sales Officer, Trina Marie Burgos; and Head of Financial Markets and Wealth Management Cluster, Raffy Algarra, Jr., who represented the Bank at The Asian Banker Philippine Awards held on 14 August 2025 in Manila.

Best Foreign Exchange Service

EastWest’s win for Best Foreign Exchange Service reflects its competitive rates, convenient FX conversion, and strong focus on client value. With a buy-sell spread significantly lower than competitors’, the Bank delivers exchange rates better than the market average which helps customers maximize their currency conversions.

Despite economic headwinds in recent years, EastWest maintained steady growth in FX transactions, customer base, and trade volume, achieving record-high performance in 2024.

To further elevate the customer experience, the Bank has rolled out operational and digitization initiatives:

Launched e-Forex on EasyWay in 2024 for convenient online forex conversion of USD/PHP for individual clients.

Introduced e-Signature and e-Document submission which streamlined documentation and improving client convenience.

Expansion plans for 2025 include FX third currencies for individual and corporate clients.

Best Digital Ecosystem & Platform

The Best Digital Ecosystem & Platform award honors EastWest’s segment-focused, human-centered approach to digital banking. It offers inclusive, secure, and innovative solutions tailored to the needs of every Filipino. This ecosystem includes:

EasyWay - a digital platform offering multi-currency capabilities, consolidated views, wealth tools, and in-app customer service.

Komo – a fully digital account with competitive interest rates, low-cost transfers, and personal and salary loans.

ESTA – the country’s first AI-powered credit card servicing chatbot on Facebook Messenger, enabling instant transaction updates, credit limit adjustments, and installment conversions.

EastWest Pay – the first Visa-certified tap-to-pay mobile app for NFC-enabled Android devices in the Philippines.

In 1H 2025, EastWest’s digital penetration among existing clients rose to over 44%. EasyWay welcomed hundreds of thousands of clients, and Komo empowered an equally strong community of users, including public school teachers. Across all platforms, the Bank implemented AI-driven fraud detection, biometric authentication, and proactive security controls, ensuring that customers enjoy both ease and peace of mind.

By designing these platforms from the ground up for specific customer groups, EastWest has gone beyond offering digital products to deliver a connected, future-ready banking experience that grows and adapts with its customers.

Moving Forward

EastWest’s recent wins strengthen its standing as a trusted, forward-looking leader in Philippine banking. The Bank continues to advance its services through digital innovation, competitive offerings, and customer-focused strategies that bring convenience, security, and meaningful financial empowerment.

Going Further for You: EastWest Ends its Anniversary Celebration with a Dream Run Grand Finale in Manila

Filinvest Event Grounds in Alabang burst into color and excitement as more than 6,000 runners joined the final and biggest leg of the EastWest Dream Run 2025, marking the Bank’s 30th anniversary and the Filinvest Group’s 70th year.

EastWest’s founders took part in the event, with Filinvest Chairman Jonathan Gotianun lacing up alongside EastWest teams, partners, and customers. It was a proud moment that brought together decades of shared dreams, milestones, and everyday wins.

“It was an initiative that united thousands,” said EastWest CEO Jerry Ngo. “Manila showed up with its whole heart. You could feel the excitement from start to finish. It was everything we hoped for and more.”

EastWest Wins Gold for People-First HR Tech at 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards

EastWest has been awarded a Gold Stevie® Award for Excellence in Innovative Use of Technology in Human Resources at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards, recognizing the bank’s people-led, tech-powered transformation in HR.

Presented annually, the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the only regional business awards program that recognizes workplace innovation across 29 countries. EastWest received the honor during the gala ceremony held on May 13, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea.

People-Led Automation, Meaningful Results

This recognition highlights the success of EastWest’s People Advantage Gameplan, a two-year transformation strategy that combined grassroots automation across the employee lifecycle with authentic employee engagement and behavioral insights.

EastWest Recognized in PDI-Statista Best Employers Awards

EastWest’s empowerment starts from within. In line with its 30th anniversary, the EastWest community comes together to celebrate the Bank’s inclusion in the PDI-Statista Best Employers list. This recognition is the culmination of EastWest’s continued passion for fostering an inclusive, dynamic workplace culture that empowers its people and strengthens its connection to the Filipino community, proving its shared promise of going “Further for You.” 

EastWest has been named one of the Philippines' Best Employers by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Statista, a global leader in data analytics and market research. This recognition comes as the Bank celebrates its 30th Anniversary, reaffirming its commitment to fostering an engaging and empowering workplace for its employees.

East Meets West at the Davao Food and Wine Festival: A Night of Flavors and Fusion

From left to right: Dusit Hotel’s Mr. Tomas Lorenzo, Davao Food and Wine Festival’s Ms. Carmina del Rosario, Chef Piya Suthasin, Sommelier Mr. Butch Montiadora, and EastWest CEO Jerry Ngo, together celebrate the fusion of flavors at the “East Meets West” event.

As EastWest celebrates its 30th anniversary, it joined hands with the Davao Food and Wine Festival to co-present a unique culinary event, “Fusion of East Meets West.” Held at the Dusit Thani Davao last October 24, 2024, the event showcased an exquisite eight-course meal that brought together the finest flavors from the East and West, celebrating both local and global ingredients.

EastWest Honored as Best Wealth Manager in the Philippines at The Asset Triple A Private Capital Awards 2024

EastWest has been recognized as the Best Wealth Manager in the Philippines by The Asset Triple A Private Capital Awards 2024. This internationally recognized and highly prestigious award further highlights EastWest’s focus on providing exceptional wealth management services and its continuing efforts to innovate and enhance its offerings in the rapidly evolving financial landscape.

From L to R: Richie Tamayo, SVP and Head, Wealth Management; Rafael S. Algarra Jr., SEVP and Head, Financial Markets and Wealth Management; Daniel Yu, Editor-In-Chief of the Asset; Raul Victor De Guzman, FVP and Trust Officer; and Bayani Cruz, Executive Editor of the Asset

EastWest Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Exclusive New Promos

EastWest is excited to commemorate its 30th anniversary with an exciting array of exclusive promotions. These special offers are designed to elevate the dining and leisure experiences of our cardholders, both within the metro and for those looking to explore destinations outside Metro Manila.

Exclusive Dining Discounts for Metro Manila Residents

EastWest cardholders can enjoy significant savings at some of Metro Manila’s most popular dining establishments. These promotions offer remarkable value and will surely enhance your dining experiences:

California Pizza Kitchen: From July 1 to September 30, enjoy 50% off for a minimum single-receipt spend of Php 3,000, with a maximum discount of Php 2,500. Indulge in your favorite pizzas with this fantastic offer.

North Park: Enjoy a 50% discount for a minimum single-receipt spend of Php 2,500, with a maximum discount of Php 3,000 from August 1 to 31, 2024. Savor classic and authentic Chinese dishes at unbeatable prices.

Admiral Club Manila Bay: Platinum, World, and Infinite Credit Cardholders can enjoy 50% off on lunch or dinner buffet, while Classic, Gold, and Titanium Credit Cardholders can avail 30% off until August 31, 2024.

EastWest Joins Vespa Day 2024

EastWest recently participated in Vespa Day 2024 held at The Tent at Villar City in Las Piñas City. This is in celebration of the Italian luxury brand’s 78th anniversary. The event, which attracted close to 2,000 participants, provided an opportunity for motorcycle enthusiasts to explore the Vespa brand of scooters and mopeds and take advantage of an exclusive EastWest Personal Loan offer:

• Clean Loan - No collateral required.
• Generous Loan Amounts – Up to Php 2,000,000, for the purchase of any of their chosen Vespa scooters, including accessories.
• Flexible Terms - Repayment terms of 12, 18, 24, and 36 months.
• Low Monthly Rate – A competitive monthly rate of only 1.39% across all terms.
• Zero Downpayment – An exclusive zero downpayment offer.