EastWest widens investment access, strengthens wealth guidance with two IFM wins, including fourth consecutive Priority Banking title

Building wealth means different things to different clients. For many, it is about entering markets at more attainable investment levels, receiving advice suited to their goals, and having access to relevant insights as their financial needs evolve.

EastWest has continued to address these needs by lowering barriers to selected investment opportunities and developing a more personal and comprehensive wealth management experience. These efforts have earned the Bank two International Finance Magazine (IFM) recognitions: Most Innovative Securities Broker – Philippines and Best Priority Banking Experience – Philippines, the latter marking EastWest Priority's fourth consecutive win.

The Bank received the awards for two areas of its business. Through its Financial Markets Distribution Group, the Bank has expanded access to US dollar-denominated government securities. Through EastWest Priority, it has strengthened its advisory, investment, and lifestyle proposition for affluent Filipino clients.

Providing guidance beyond individual transactions
Winning Best Priority Banking Experience – Philippines for the fourth consecutive year, EastWest Priority continues to evolve from traditional preferred banking toward a broader wealth management proposition built around personalized advice, investment solutions, market intelligence, and lifestyle support.

EastWest Priority’s approach is anchored on four interconnected pillars: hyper-personalized portfolio solutions, expert relationship management, market intelligence, and curated lifestyle privileges. Together, these support clients across financial planning, investment management, protection, and legacy planning.

Clients have access to deposits, insurance products, bonds, Unit Investment Trust Funds, equities, foreign exchange solutions, portfolio management services, and selected alternative investments. Recommendations are tailored to each client’s objectives, risk profile, and evolving financial priorities.

Dedicated Priority Relationship Managers serve as a single point of contact for clients’ banking and wealth management needs. EastWest Priority currently operates 13 dedicated Priority Banking centers nationwide, complemented by digital banking services and advisory support. By the end of 2025, its assets under management had grown 40% year on year.

Making currency diversification more accessible
US dollar-denominated government securities have traditionally required minimum investments that place them beyond the reach of many retail and affluent investors. To help close this gap, EastWest introduced US dollar Treasury Bills and Bonds with a minimum investment of USD10,000—significantly lower than market thresholds that can range from USD50,000 to USD200,000.

Developed through EastWest’s collaboration with Philippine Dealing Services Corp., the initiative combines a lower entry point with competitive and transparent pricing, as well as a more seamless transaction and settlement process.

EastWest has also enrolled 21 US dollar Treasury Bills in the central securities depository, making the instruments available not only to the Bank’s clients but also to investors across the wider Philippine market. This expands the initiative’s impact beyond a single institution and supports broader participation in foreign-currency investments.

To further widen participation, the Bank introduced Bond Pooling, which allows several investors to combine their funds to meet the minimum requirement for securities that would otherwise remain inaccessible to them individually. Collectively, these efforts drove a 390% year-on-year increase in volume.

“We want more clients to participate in investment opportunities that may have seemed out of reach before, while giving them advice that is relevant to where they are in their financial journey. Winning Best Priority Banking Experience for the fourth consecutive year makes this recognition especially meaningful, alongside our Most Innovative Securities Broker award. That is the thinking behind the solutions we continue to develop, and we are grateful that these efforts have been recognized,” said Mr. Rafael S. Algarra Jr., SEVP and Head of Financial Markets and Wealth Management of EastWest.