Manila, Philippines  — East West Banking Corporation (EastWest) proudly received the Silver award for Excellence in HR Innovation at this year’s HR Excellence Awards Philippines last August 7, 2025 at BGC Taguig and was also named a finalist in two other prestigious categories: Excellence in HR Communication Strategy and Most People-Focused CEO.

Building a Bank Where People Thrive

At a time when businesses across industries are competing to attract and retain top talent, EastWest’s people strategy stands out for its authenticity, innovation, and accessibility. The Bank was the only financial institution among six finalists to receive the Excellence in HR Innovation award.

Through the People Advantage Gameplan, the Bank has reimagined the employee experience with a high-tech, high-touch approach. From reducing attrition by nearly 10 percentage points to onboarding a record 2,000 new hires in 2023, the results speak for themselves.

At the core of this transformation is a belief that culture is a shared responsibility. Under Jerry Ngo’s leadership, EastWest has embedded that belief into daily experiences, from Kamustahan with Jerry sessions and grassroots learning communities to hybrid work flexibility and meaningful recognition platforms.

Connection, Recognition, and Communication That Counts

EastWest’s finalist recognition for Excellence in HR Communication Strategy highlights its dynamic and inclusive approach to employee engagement. Central to this success is The SHORE which is a vibrant, centralized internal communications hub built entirely in-house.

With a 90%+ adoption rate in just three months, The SHORE now serves as the digital heartbeat of EastWest’s people ecosystem. Combined with personalized messages, automated recognition emails, employee-generated storytelling, and multi-touch engagement campaigns, the platform has transformed HR communication from transactional to transformational.

Innovation That Elevates People, Not Just Processes

Winning Silver for Excellence in HR Innovation, EastWest stood out for its suite of HR-developed micro-apps, data-driven decision-making tools, and personalized employee journeys. Beyond the tech, what made EastWest’s approach remarkable was how it put humans at the center.

Employees now enjoy faster access to services, clearer career paths, and a stronger sense of belonging, all built on the principle that innovation should simplify, not complicate, the way people thrive at work.

A Future Built by People, For People

“Our people are our edge,” said Atty. Alfie Suarez, Chief People, Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer. “Everything we’ve built, from digital tools to leadership programs, starts with listening. These awards are all about what HR has done and what our people have co-created with us.”

This recognition serves not just as a celebration of past efforts, but as momentum for what lies ahead. From predictive analytics to AI-assisted HR services, and from culture-building to capability-building, the Bank’s people agenda continues to evolve with purpose.

Because at EastWest, success is not just measured by profit, but by potential. And in that regard, the future looks brighter than ever.

EastWest leaders celebrate at the HR Excellence Awards Philippines, where the Bank earned Silver for Excellence in HR Innovation and finalist citations for Excellence in HR Communication Strategy and Most People-Focused CEO.

 

eastwest-bank-hr-excellence-award