The Daily Tribune 
Business 
January 10, 2013 
EastWest Bank's rapid expansion and business growth in the last six years did not go unnoticed by international global financial analysts as the bank was among the 284 firms added to the recent list of MSCI's Global Small Cap Indices

MSCI Inc. is a leading provider of investment decision support tools worldwide, including indices, portfolio risk and performance analytics and corporate governance services.

EastWest is one of the fastest growing banks in the industry in the last six years. Its inclusion in the latest MSCI's global small cap index list, is an affirmation of its efforts to become one of the strongest banks in the local financial services industry.

The bank is currently ranked 17th in .terms of assets and deposits and 15th based on total loans, out of 37 commercial and universal banks in the country.

EastWest's capital levels grew by 5.7 times or an annual compounded growth rate of 37 percent from P2.9 billion in 2006 to P16.5 billion in second quarter 2012, from profits, infusion by its parent — Filinvest Development Corp. and from its initial public offering (IPO).

The bank's assets, deposits, and loans grew at an annual compounded growth rate of 23 percent, 20 percent and 25 percent, respectively from 2006 to second quarter of 2012 a clear proof of the rapid growth of the company, one of the reasons EastWest Bank was included in MSCI's global small cap index s list that took effect as of Nov. 30, 2012.

Aside from rapid expansion through acquisitions and mergers with other banks, another expansion program of EastWfest Bank is capital buildup, which includes public listing on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). It was traded on the stock exchange starting May 7, 2012, after gaining around P5 billion in proceeds from its IPO.

EastWest Bank is one of only two organizations in the country added to the MSCI index list, placing it in the same category as similar fastgrowing companies in Asia Pacific, US, Europe and Africa.

Among these are Neptune Orient Lines in Singapore, Foxconn International in Hong Kong, Hopewell Hwy Infra of China, and Seiko Epson Corp. of Japan.

The MSCI Small Cap Index is designed to measure the equity performance of small cap stocks in developed and emerging markets throughout the world.

The inclusion of EastWest Bank in the MSCI global small cap index also shows that credible rating organizations are monitoring the current state of the country's banking sector, and identifying potential and promising financial institutions and companies where investors can wisely put their investments.

Lastly, with this very encouraging announcement from a highly credible global rating firm, the bank will continue to be competitive and a relevant participant in the development needs of the country.