EastWest Bank

EastWest Bank, formally East West Banking Corporation, is a Philippine universal bank and a member of the Filinvest Group, which is associated with the Gotianun family. The bank received a commercial banking license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in 1988 and opened to the public in Makati in August 1994. Its creation represented the Gotianun family's return to banking after the disposal of earlier banking interests, including Insular Bank of Asia and America and Family Savings Bank. The bank initially developed as a full-service commercial institution, combining branch banking with consumer finance and technology-enabled delivery channels. Its activities include deposit-taking, consumer lending, housing and automobile finance, credit cards, commercial loans, payment services, wealth-related products, insurance distribution, leasing, and rural and microfinance. It has also invested in online banking and broader computerization programs intended to improve operating efficiency and customer access. EastWest expanded through acquisitions and consolidation. The 2002 merger with Ecology Savings Bank increased its branch and service footprint and strengthened its position in housing, automobile, and credit-card lending. In 2013, the bank acquired Green Bank of Caraga, a rural bank based in Butuan that had a strong presence in the Visayas and Mindanao. Together with the consolidation of FinMan Bank, this transaction supported EastWest's entry into or expansion of rural lending and microfinance. The rural banking business was subsequently organized under EastWest Rural Bank. In 2012, EastWest Unibank listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange and received a universal banking license. The universal-bank structure enabled it to broaden its product range and compete across consumer, commercial, investment-related, and specialized banking segments. In 2016, it acquired the retail banking business of Standard Chartered Bank Philippines, including retail deposits, credit cards, personal loans, wealth-management relationships, branches, and associated personnel. The transaction materially expanded its retail franchise and customer base. EastWest also pursued digital banking. In 2020, its subsidiary EastWest Rural Bank received regulatory approval to operate a fully digital bank under the Komo brand. Komo was positioned as a mobile-first banking service, extending the group's reach beyond conventional branches and supporting its broader modernization strategy. The group operates or has operated additional businesses in life insurance, insurance brokerage, leasing and finance, marketing services, and insurance agency services. The bank's market identity combines mass-market and consumer banking with business banking and a nationwide distribution model. Its rural-bank operations provide access to farmers, rural enterprises, lower-income households, pensioners, and small businesses, while its principal bank serves individual and corporate customers through branches, electronic channels, cards, loans, deposits, and other financial products. In 2024, Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo was named a brand ambassador. EastWest remains an active Philippine banking brand and a listed member of the Filinvest financial-services ecosystem.

EastWest Bank's regulatory origin dates to August 14, 1988, when the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas granted the institution a commercial banking license. Backed by the Filinvest Group, the bank opened to the public on August 1, 1994, on Senator Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati. Its establishment marked the return of the Gotianun family to banking after the sale of earlier banking businesses in the 1980s. During its first major expansion phase, EastWest invested in branch banking, electronic delivery, and systems computerization. The bank's consolidation with Ecology Savings Bank in 2002 increased its distribution network and helped build its lending presence in housing, automobiles, and credit cards. By 2003, the institution was reported to have 129 branches and 145 automated teller machines. It also received recognition for its website in the Philippine Web Awards in 2004. EastWest later developed a broader financial-services platform. It became a full member of BancNet after acquiring a stake in the interbank network in 2008, gaining representation in its governance. In 2012, EastWest Unibank joined the Philippine Stock Exchange and obtained a universal banking license, providing a regulatory basis for a wider range of banking and financial activities. The institution's rural-finance strategy advanced through its 2013 acquisition of Green Bank of Caraga and the consolidation of rural banking interests that included FinMan Bank. Green Bank had originated as the Rural Bank of Nasipit in 1974 and had developed a substantial network in the Caraga region. Its rural distribution and lending expertise allowed EastWest to extend services to farmers, rural businesses, employees, pensioners, and other underserved groups. The resulting EastWest Rural Bank also supported microfinance and countryside lending. In 2016, EastWest purchased the retail banking business of Standard Chartered Bank Philippines. The transfer included retail deposits, branches, staff, credit cards, personal loans, and wealth-management relationships. This transaction strengthened EastWest's consumer-banking scale and added customers and infrastructure to its existing franchise. Digital banking became another strategic priority. In 2020, EastWest Rural Bank received approval to operate a digital bank under the Komo brand. The service complemented the group's physical network with a mobile-centered proposition and reflected the Philippine banking industry's shift toward digital distribution. EastWest's wider group also includes businesses involved in life insurance, insurance brokerage, leasing and finance, marketing services, and insurance agencies. EastWest continues to operate as a listed Philippine universal bank within the Filinvest Group. Its business model spans retail and commercial banking, consumer finance, rural banking, microfinance, insurance-related services, and digital banking. Its brand and distribution strategy combine nationwide Philippine coverage with specialized subsidiaries and electronic channels.

1. 2020Komo digital banking approval

   EastWest Rural Bank received approval to operate its Komo digital banking service.

   Source
2. 2016Standard Chartered retail-business acquisition

   EastWest completed the transfer of Standard Chartered Bank Philippines' retail banking business.

   Source
3. 2013Green Bank acquisition

   EastWest acquired Green Bank of Caraga, strengthening its rural and microfinance platform.

   Source
4. 2012Stock-market listing and universal-bank status

   EastWest listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange and later received a universal banking license.

   Source
5. 2008BancNet full membership

   EastWest acquired a stake in BancNet and became a full member with board representation.

   Source
6. 2002Merger with Ecology Savings Bank

   The merger expanded EastWest's branch presence and consumer-lending capabilities.

   Source
7. 1994Public banking operations begin

   EastWest opened its first public banking operations in Makati on August 1.

   Source
8. 1988Commercial banking license granted

   The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas granted EastWest its commercial banking license.

   Source

A Philippine universal bank combining consumer and commercial banking with rural finance, digital banking, and Filinvest Group distribution.

• Retail bankingConsumer banking

  EastWest's retail franchise includes deposit accounts, payment services, credit cards, personal loans, housing finance, automobile loans, and branch- and digital-delivered banking services. The franchise expanded significantly through the 2016 acquisition of Standard Chartered Bank Philippines' retail business.

• Commercial bankingBusiness banking1988

  The bank provides financing and transaction services for companies and other organizations, including commercial lending, deposits, cash-management capabilities, and related financial services. Commercial banking formed the institution's original licensed business and remains part of its universal-bank model.

• EastWest Rural BankRural banking and microfinance2013

  EastWest Rural Bank consolidates rural banking operations associated with Green Bank and FinMan Bank. Its target customers include farmers, rural enterprises, small businesses, employees, pensioners, and lower-income households, with a distribution footprint extending through the Philippines.

• KomoDigital banking2020

  Komo is EastWest's fully digital banking brand operated through EastWest Rural Bank. Approved by the Philippine banking regulator in 2020, it provides a mobile-first channel intended to complement EastWest's branch network and reach customers seeking app-based banking.

• Insurance, leasing, and finance servicesSpecialty financial services

  The EastWest group has expanded beyond conventional banking through subsidiaries and affiliates covering life insurance, insurance brokerage, leasing and finance, marketing services, and insurance agency activities. These businesses extend the group's ability to distribute financial and risk-management products.

• 2024Carlos Yulo brand ambassadorship

  Philippines

  EastWest appointed Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo as a brand ambassador, associating the bank with a prominent Philippine sports figure.

  Source

• 2020Launch Komo digital bankingProduct launch

  EastWest responded to the growth of digital financial services and received regulatory approval to operate a digital bank through its rural-bank subsidiary.

  What changed. EastWest Rural Bank launched the Komo brand as a fully digital banking service.

  Aftermath. Komo added a mobile-first channel to EastWest's branch and subsidiary network.

  Source
• 2016Acquire Standard Chartered Philippines retail banking businessM&A

  EastWest pursued greater scale in consumer banking and sought to expand its customer, branch, and product base.

  What changed. EastWest acquired Standard Chartered Bank Philippines' retail deposits, branches, personnel, credit cards, personal loans, and wealth-management business.

  Aftermath. The transfer strengthened EastWest's retail franchise and increased its presence in cards, personal lending, deposits, and wealth-related services.

  Source
• 2013Acquire Green Bank of CaragaM&A

  EastWest sought to expand into rural banking and microfinance and gain a stronger presence in the Visayas and Mindanao.

  What changed. The bank acquired Green Bank, a rural lender headquartered in Butuan, and consolidated related rural-banking activities under EastWest Rural Bank.

  Aftermath. The transaction broadened EastWest's rural distribution and supported lending to farmers, small businesses, and underserved communities.

  Source

• 2024Carlos Yulo becomes EastWest brand ambassador

  Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo was named a brand ambassador for EastWest.

  Campaign
  Source
• 2020Komo digital bank receives regulatory approval

  EastWest Rural Bank received approval to operate a fully digital banking service under the Komo brand.

  Product launchRegulation
  Source
• 2016EastWest acquires Standard Chartered Bank Philippines retail banking business

  EastWest took over Standard Chartered Bank Philippines' retail accounts, branches, employees, credit cards, personal loans, wealth-management activities, and retail deposits.

  M&A
  Source
• 2013EastWest acquires Green Bank of Caraga

  The bank acquired Green Bank, a rural lender based in Butuan, to expand its presence in rural finance and microfinance, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao.

  M&A
  Source
• 2012EastWest lists on the Philippine Stock Exchange

  EastWest Unibank became a publicly traded company on the Philippine Stock Exchange under the ticker EW.

  Other
  Source
• 2012EastWest receives a universal banking license

  The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas granted EastWest a universal banking license, broadening the scope of activities it could undertake.

  Regulation
  Source

1. EastWest Bank