Fortune & Finance: Navigating 2026 with EastWest

EastWest is helping clients stay ahead of the curve. To kick off the Year of the Fire Horse, the bank held exclusive briefings in Metro Manila and Pampanga, blending 2026 economic forecasts with actionable insights for confident decision-making.

By bringing together experts and clients from across our banking sectors, EastWest shared actionable insights to help navigate the year ahead. These sessions focused on enhancing wealth management plans and ensuring a stable, prosperous future for everyone involved.

The gatherings featured economist and University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) professor Dr. Bernardo Villegas, who outlined emerging opportunities amid shifting local and global market conditions. He emphasized that despite a dynamic environment, the Philippines is poised for moderate yet steady growth.

“While we celebrate today, we remain mindful of the fast-paced economic landscape. The local and global markets continue to move quickly, but EastWest stands as a steady anchor, anticipating these shifts to ensure our clients and communities remain on a path of progress,” said EastWest Bank President Jackie S. Fernandez.

Further underscoring this commitment, EastWest announced its strategic partnership with UA&P for the Economic Watch newsletter, a curated source of market insights and trends designed to guide clients in navigating key financial decisions throughout the year.

To complement the economic outlook, feng shui expert Master Patrick Fernandez shared guidance on how clients can harness the vibrant, fast-moving energy of the Year of the Fire Horse.

“At EastWest, we believe that being a trusted partner means providing the foresight you need to act with confidence, especially in a year defined by such high energy and rapid momentum,” said EastWest Senior Executive Vice President & Financial Markets and Wealth Management Head Raffy Algarra. “Whether through our Economic Watch newsletter or our evolving suite of services, we are dedicated to helping you renew your goals and strengthen your path forward.”

EastWest recently strengthened its wealth management leadership with accolades from the 2025 Global Private Banking Innovation Awards: Outstanding Client Experience in Wealth Management award for its affluent banking segment EastWest Priority, and Best Discretionary & Advisory Service Offering for its Trust and Asset Management Group. These recognitions reflect EastWest’s commitment to delivering trusted, high-quality financial guidance to its clients.