In line with its commitment to empower clients with insights that fuel informed and confident decision making, East West Banking Corporation (EastWest) hosted a series of curated events in Pampanga and Metro Manila to usher in the Year of the Fire Horse with a forward-looking economic outlook for 2026.
Economist and UA&P professor Dr. Bernardo Villegas, feng shui expert Master Patrick Fernandez, and EastWest Bank SEVP & Wealth Management Head Raffy Algarra engage clients in a Q&A session, sharing insights on the opportunities that await in the Year of the Fire Horse.
The sessions brought together clients from the bank’s Retail, Priority, and Corporate Banking, offering exclusive insights from experts to help them navigate the year ahead with confidence, enhance their wealth management plans, and support their long‑term financial well‑being.
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.
