The announcement was made during the bank’s annual stockholders’ meeting on April 23, following a year of strong and disciplined financial performance.
In 2025, EastWest posted a net income of P9.2 billion, marking a 21-percent increase year-on-year.
Steady footing
“At a time when many families and businesses are navigating an uncertain environment, we believe the role of a bank is not only to perform, but to remain steady, prepared, and responsive,” EastWest chief executive officer Jerry G. Ngo said.
“Our 2025 results reflect the Bank’s capacity to deliver returns to shareholders while remaining a dependable financial partner to our customers and the communities we serve,” he added.
The bank’s performance was anchored on a well-positioned balance sheet. Total assets grew by 10 percent, while its loan portfolio remained focused on higher-yielding consumer assets. CASA deposits rose 14 percent, bringing the CASA ratio to 82 percent.
Growth drivers
EastWest’s Priority Banking segment also gained traction, with assets under management growing 40 percent to over P100 billion, supported by 13 Priority Centers nationwide.
Net interest income increased 21 percent to P40.6 billion. Return on equity reached 11.9 percent, sustaining the bank’s return to double-digit levels, while its cost-to-income ratio improved to 49.7 percent as revenue growth outpaced expenses.
The bank also advanced its digital initiatives, launching EW Pay with Google Pay integration—making it the first bank in the Philippines to offer NFC tap-to-pay without requiring an e-wallet. Partnerships with Unioil, foodpanda, Puregold, and Autodeal further expanded its ecosystem.
Future focus
Looking ahead, EastWest said it will prioritize rebalancing its portfolio toward more secured asset classes, enhancing operational efficiency through responsible use of technology, and sustaining investments in digital platforms.
“While the environment has grown more complex, we remain committed to the disciplined, customer-centered approach that has driven our growth and what keeps our foundation sound,” Ngo said. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
