East West Banking Corporation (EastWest) turned in a ₱5.0‑billion net income for the first nine months of 2026, delivering solid profitability even as broader economic conditions grew more challenging, a performance that signals resilient core operations for investors and market watchers.
The bank’s net revenues rose 16 % year‑on‑year to ₱43.4 billion, fueled by expansion across its key business lines. Net interest income climbed 22 % to ₱36.2 billion on the back of a bigger pool of interest‑earning assets, while service charges, fees and commissions grew 10 % to ₱5.8 billion. Operating expenses edged up 10 % to ₱21.0 billion, translating into positive operating leverage; its cost‑to‑income ratio improved to 48.4 % from 51.4 % in the same period last year, and pre‑provision operating profit rose 24 % to ₱22.4 billion, marking better operational efficiency.
“Our underlying businesses remain healthy, with strong revenue growth and improving operating efficiency allowing the Bank to remain profitable,” EastWest chief executive officer Jerry G. Ngo said, adding that the current landscape calls for strict risk management alongside long‑term franchise‑building efforts.
Provisions for expected credit losses reached ₱15.9 billion as credit risks picked up amid economic uncertainty, though the bank reported a 90 % non‑performing loan coverage ratio, underscoring its focus on financial resilience. Its overall balance sheet expanded 14 % to ₱631.8 billion in total assets; loans rose 11 % to ₱399.9 billion and deposits grew 12 % to ₱466.4 billion, with a stable 77 % current‑and‑savings account (CASA) ratio. Assets under management for EastWest Priority jumped 35 % to ₱145.0 billion, highlighting momentum in its wealth management segment.
Capital levels stayed above regulatory thresholds, with a Capital Adequacy Ratio of 12.2 % and a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 11.4 %. The planned ₱9.0‑billion stock rights offering is seen by investors as a key step to further shore up capital and fund future lending and business expansion.
The bank also secured industry recognition for its services and governance, including four awards from International Finance Magazine for priority banking, securities brokerage, fund management and private wealth advisory capabilities, plus three Golden Arrows at the 2026 Golden Arrow Awards for transparency and stakeholder value creation. Its Cagayan de Oro branch was also cited by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as an outstanding institutional partner in Mindanao, reinforcing its local market footprint.
“Our priority is to navigate the current environment with financial and risk discipline without losing sight of the Bank’s longer‑term opportunities,” Ngo said. “By maintaining a strong operating franchise while actively managing risks, we are positioning EastWest to weather near‑term uncertainties while building the capabilities needed for sustainable growth.” For investors, the latest results point to steady core earnings power, improved cost efficiency and a capital‑raising pipeline that could support growth once economic conditions stabilize.
