EastWest executives met with SMU counterparts at the Singapore Management University campus for the ceremonial signing of the EastWest – SMU Wealth Management Programme, marking the start of a strategic collaboration to enhance the Bank’s relationship management capabilities. Roma Goodlander, SMU Executive Development, Client Director; Florence Neo, SMU Office of the Alumni Relations; Dr. Ang Ser Keng, SMU Programme Director & Faculty; Richard Chester Tamayo, EastWest SVP and Head of Wealth Management. Dr. Flocy Joseph, SMU Executive Development, Head Commercial; Eddie Tritton, SMU Executive Development, Executive Director; Jerry Ngo, EastWest Chief Executive Officer; and Rafael Algarra Jr., EastWest SEVP and Head of Financial Markets and Wealth Management.
EastWest Priority has launched a landmark partnership with Singapore Management University (SMU), one of Asia’s most respected business institutions, to cultivate a new generation of Relationship Managers equipped for the fast-changing world of wealth management.
Through the newly developed EastWest–Singapore Management University Wealth Management Programme, the Bank aims to elevate professional standards by strengthening technical mastery, sharpening market insight, and refining the human side of client engagement. The collaboration underscores EastWest’s long-term strategy of building a future-ready wealth management force anchored on global best practices.
The ceremonial signing took place at the SMU campus in Singapore, led by EastWest CEO Jerry G. Ngo and Senior Executive Vice President Rafael S. Algarra Jr., who heads Financial Markets and Wealth Management, together with representatives from SMU Executive Development.
“We believe that relationships are built on expertise and empathy,” said EastWest CEO Jerry Ngo. “This collaboration allows our Relationship Managers to deepen both. The fusion of technical mastery with genuine human understanding is at the heart of how EastWest serves its clients.”
SMU Executive Development Executive Director Eddie Tritton echoed this sentiment, noting that the Bank’s vision aligns strongly with SMU’s commitment to developing leaders capable of navigating complexity. “Excellence in wealth management demands not only technical acuity but a deep understanding of people and markets. We are privileged to help equip EastWest’s talent to make better decisions, build trust, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving wealth landscape.”
Running for up to six months, the program blends virtual learning with in-person modules taught by SMU faculty. Participants will undergo three training sessions in Manila that culminate in a graduation ceremony and the awarding of SMU Executive Certificates. The curriculum spans core dimensions of high-level relationship management—from market analysis to advisory strategies to leadership in client care.
“Partnering with a globally respected institution like SMU reaffirms our belief that excellence begins with continuous learning,” said Algarra. “Integrity, knowledge, and empathy define world-class wealth management, and this program strengthens all three.”
With this collaboration, EastWest strengthens its commitment to raising industry standards and delivering its promise of Banking Made Easier, backed by world-class expertise and unwavering client focus.