EastWest Bank launches business banking AI chatbot. August 6, 2026 | 12:01 am EAST WEST Banking Corp. (EastWest Bank) has launched an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot to help entrepreneurs understand and access solutions offered by the bank that can help their businesses grow. Small business resources Discover more Global economy trends Corporate News Analysis Financial news subscription ECHO or EastWest CMS Help Officer is designed to help business owners understand and access the bank's cash management services, especially as their operations turn increasingly digitalized, it said in a statement. "As more Filipino entrepreneurs turn to digital channels to manage and grow their businesses, they increasingly need quick, reliable access to information and solutions that can help them manage day-to-day financial operations efficiently," it said. "As businesses expand, their financial needs become more complex - from collections and payments to payroll and cash flow management. This growing shift toward digital business management has increased the need for secure, accessible banking solutions that help entrepreneurs streamline operations, improve efficiency, and stay focused on growth." ECHO provides simple answers about EastWest Bank's cash management services, recommends options tailored to these businesses' needs, and also connects them with an EastWest Sales Officer for personalized assistance. The chatbot's knowledge base is continuously enhanced and expanded to ensure the assistance and information offered are relevant and timely. "Through ECHO, EastWest continues to strengthen its support for business owners with practical digital tools that simplify banking, improve access to relevant solutions, and help businesses make better-informed financial decisions," EastWest Bank said. It added that this is part of their digitalization efforts that are meant to make financial serves more accessible and responsive to their Filipinos' needs. "Business owners need quick access to information so they can focus on running and growing their business. Through ECHO, we're giving them an easier way to learn about solutions that can help them operate and grow with confidence," EastWest Chief Marketing Officer Martin C. Reyes said. The bank booked a net income of P3.4 billion for the first half of 2026 as it set aside increased provisions for potential losses amid continued macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. - BVR % buffered Powered by GliaStudios

East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC), a cross-border banking company focused on US-Asia transactions, reported second quarter CY2026 results that beat Wall Street revenue expectations. The company posted revenue of $791 million, up 12.6% year on year and exceeding analyst estimates of $784.9 million by 0.8%. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $2.63, in line with analyst consensus estimates of $2.62. Net interest income reached $684.7 million, roughly meeting expectations of $685.9 million and representing 11% year-on-year growth. However, the company's net interest margin of 1.7% significantly missed analyst estimates of 3.5%. The efficiency ratio of 36.7% also fell short of the expected 35.8%. Over the past five years, East West Bank has achieved a 13.2% compounded annual revenue growth rate, though recent growth has decelerated to 9.6% over the last two years.