EastWest’s Investment Banking earns industry recognition for helping bring major capital market deals to life

EastWest's Investment Banking team has been recognized by two respected industry organizations for its work in the Philippine capital market. The awards acknowledge the team's involvement in significant fundraising transactions that have helped companies raise capital, and expanded investment opportunities for local investors.

The team recently received the IPO Deal of the Year – Philippines award from Asian Banking & Finance for its participation as a Domestic Participating Underwriter in the initial public offering of Maynilad Water Services, Inc. The Bank was also named among the Top 5 Corporate Issue Managers/Arrangers (Bank Category) by the PDS Group for its performance in 2025, a distinction that EastWest has maintained every year for the past six (6) years.

EastWest Investment Banking Officers Mark Angelo Borreo and Jerome Antonio Lim (center) received the award on behalf of the Bank during the recent PDS Awards 2026.

Together, these recognitions show the breadth of EastWest's investment banking capabilities—from supporting one of the country's largest public offerings to helping issuers access the domestic capital markets through debt securities and other funding transactions.

“At the heart of successful capital raising is a clear understanding of what our clients want to achieve,” said Mr. Rafael S. Algarra, Jr., SEVP and Head of Financial Markets and Wealth Management. “By bringing together the right investors and helping build confidence throughout the process, we aim to deliver thoughtful advice and disciplined execution. These recognitions encourage us to keep doing just that.”

One of the team's recent highlights was its participation in the Maynilad Water Services, Inc. initial public offering completed on November 7, 2025. The transaction raised approximately Php 34.3 billion in gross proceeds and became the second-largest IPO in Philippine history as well as the country's largest since 2021. The offer was oversubscribed 2.7 times which reflected strong investor demand. Through its network and client relationships, EastWest supported participation from domestic and retail investors. The Bank's efforts helped broaden the company's shareholder base and supported funding for long-term water and wastewater infrastructure investments. The team's activity in the debt capital market also earned industry recognition. Based on its 2025 performance, EastWest once again ranked among the top five (5) Corporate Issue Managers/Arrangers in the Bank Category in the PDS Group's annual rankings.

As more Philippine companies tap the capital markets to support their growth, EastWest continues to build its investment banking franchise through sound advice, disciplined execution, and strong relationships with issuers and investors.

“Every transaction represents a company's next chapter, whether it's expanding operations, investing in infrastructure, or pursuing long-term growth,” Algarra added. “Our role is to help our clients achieve those goals while creating more opportunities for retail investors to participate in the capital market and build their investment portfolios with confidence.”