TAGUIG CITY, Philippines (Jul 2026) — When one of the biggest public offerings in local history rolled out to improve water services for millions of Pinoys, the investment banking arm of EastWest was quietly working behind the scenes to fuel that growth.
The local banking giant recently took home double industry honors for its major role in shaping the Philippine capital market, proving that local financial institutions are doing the heavy lifting for everyday utility and infrastructure developments.
Big wins for local infrastructure
The Asian Banking & Finance organization awarded the team the IPO Deal of the Year – Philippines for its role as a domestic participating underwriter in the initial public offering of Maynilad Water Services, Inc. Completed on Nov. 7, 2025, the historic transaction raised approximately PHP 34.3 billion (approx. $591 million), making it the second-largest public offering in Philippine history and the largest since 2021.
Because the offer was oversubscribed 2.7 times, the bank successfully opened doors for ordinary retail and domestic investors to grab a piece of the utility expansion. The funding directly supports long-term water and wastewater infrastructure investments across the metro.
At the same time, the PDS Group named the bank among the top five corporate issue managers and arrangers in the bank category for its stellar 2025 performance. This marks the sixth consecutive year the institution has maintained its spot in the top tier.
Helping businesses write their next chapter
During the PDS Awards 2026, investment banking officers Mark Angelo Borreo and Jerome Antonio Lim accepted the trophies on behalf of the company.
According to Rafael S. Algarra Jr., senior executive vice president and head of financial markets and wealth management, successful capital raising requires a deep understanding of client goals. By connecting the right investors and building market confidence, the team aims to deliver solid advice and execution. He added that every transaction represents a company’s next chapter, whether it involves expanding operations or creating opportunities for retail investors to confidently build portfolios.
As more local companies look to tap capital markets for expansion, the team continues to strengthen its franchise through reliable relationships with both issuers and everyday investors.
