EastWest Banking Corporation (EastWest) has outlined a clear strategic path for growth, focusing on expanding its consumer banking business, strengthening customer relationships, and accelerating its digital transformation. This direction follows the bank’s strong financial performance, with a net income of P1.8 billion recorded for the first quarter of 2025.
CEO Jerry G. Ngo commented, “With a solid foundation, robust capital position, and industry-leading margins, we are well-positioned to seize growth opportunities. We are committed to sustaining this momentum and are confident that the future holds even greater potential. We are ready to take EastWest even further.”
The bank’s growth trajectory is supported by strong consumer lending activity and ongoing improvements in operational efficiency. Return on Equity (ROE) remained healthy at 10%, signaling a well-balanced and sustainable approach to profitability.
“Our first-quarter results reflect the strong momentum we’ve built in growing our consumer business,” said EastWest President Jackie S. Fernandez. “We are staying focused on driving profitability through disciplined growth and continuous operational enhancements.”
Consumer Lending and Deposits Drive Revenue Growth
EastWest’s revenues rose by 16% year-on-year to P11.6 billion, driven by a 13% increase in net interest income, which reached P9.3 billion. The bank’s consumer lending portfolio expanded by 15%, now representing 84% of total loans—the highest among its peers.
Deposits also saw a solid increase, growing 12% to P399.2 billion, with a CASA (current and savings accounts) ratio of 74%, positioning EastWest as one of the top performers in the industry. This impressive balance sheet performance contributed to a net interest margin (NIM) of 8.1%, one of the highest in the sector. Non-interest income also grew by 25% to P2.3 billion, with fees from lending activities rising 31% to P1.7 billion.
Optimizing Operational Efficiency
Operating expenses for the first quarter amounted to P6.3 billion, an 8% increase from the previous year. This rise in costs was largely attributed to manpower and business-related expenses as the bank continues to scale. Despite this, EastWest improved its cost-to-income ratio by 365 basis points, bringing it down to 54.3%, a testament to the bank’s ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency.
Total assets grew by 11% to P531.2 billion, with loans and receivables increasing by 11% to P339.0 billion. Notably, credit cards and personal loans grew by 36% and 18%, respectively, reflecting strong consumer demand for EastWest’s offerings. Capital ratios remain robust, with the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at 13.7% and the Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 12.8%, both comfortably above regulatory requirements.
Rewarding Shareholders and Investing in Future Growth
In line with its commitment to creating value for shareholders, EastWest declared cash dividends of P0.68 per share, totaling P1.5 billion or 20% of 2024 earnings. This marks the fourth consecutive year of dividend payouts, underscoring the bank’s strong financial health and shareholder-focused strategy.
To further fuel its growth, especially in consumer lending and credit cards, EastWest launched the EastWest Puregold Visa Credit Card. Tailored for everyday essentials, the card offers cashback and exclusive perks for grocery shoppers and sari-sari store owners. This launch is part of the bank’s continued efforts to offer impactful, relevant financial solutions that meet the needs of Filipino consumers.
As EastWest continues to scale and innovate, it remains focused on delivering exceptional value to its customers, shareholders, and the broader community, reinforcing its position as one of the leading players in the Philippine banking sector.
