UnionBank of the Philippines, recently recognized by The Asian Banker as the Best Wealth Management Bank in the country, has teamed up with INSEAD—one of the world’s foremost business schools—to roll out the ASCEND Program, a transformative learning initiative aimed at redefining the standards of wealth advisory in the Philippines.
The partnership was formalized through a ceremonial signing led by UnionBank President and CEO Ana Aboitiz Delgado and INSEAD Asia Campus Dean and Executive Education head Prof. Sameer Hasija. This milestone marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration focused on developing UnionBank’s Relationship Managers (RMs) into globally competitive professionals across Wealth Management, Private Banking, and Retail Banking.
Joining the ceremony were INSEAD executives Karthik Rajaraman, Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships, and VJ Posadas, Director of Corporate Partnerships. Representing UnionBank were Michelle Rubio, Chief Human Resource Officer; Manoj Varma, Consumer Banking Center Head; Gauraw Srivastava, Wealth Management Head; and Gautam Sharma, Wealth Sales Network Head.
The ASCEND Program is designed to give UnionBank’s RMs advanced expertise in macroeconomics, market behavior, and wealth management trends—blending analytical proficiency with the empathy and insight needed to guide clients effectively.
“Today marks the start of a meaningful partnership—one that reinforces our deep commitment to investing in our people and shaping the future of banking,” said Delgado. “Excellence in client service begins with excellence in talent. Our goal is to nurture advisors who are not only technically skilled but also deeply attuned to our clients’ ambitions and values.”
INSEAD’s Prof. Hasija shared, “When an organization calls its learning service provider a partner, it shows how deeply learning is embedded in its DNA. Collaborations like this have the power to create lasting impact—not just for the organization, but for the industry as a whole.”
The program’s first phase featured an intensive two-day training led by INSEAD faculty members, focusing on global financial systems and client relationship strategies. Succeeding phases will introduce digital learning modules on emerging technologies such as digital currencies, tokenization, and artificial intelligence—ensuring that UnionBank’s advisors remain at the forefront of financial innovation.
UnionBank’s ASCEND Program builds upon its Beyond the Graph initiative, which highlights the role of RMs as the core of the bank’s “high tech–high touch” approach. Through this philosophy, advisors combine data-driven insights with genuine human connection to deliver personalized, meaningful financial guidance.
This partnership with INSEAD strengthens UnionBank’s vision of being the trusted advisor of choice—developing professionals who can navigate complex market dynamics with confidence, empathy, and foresight. By investing in continuous learning, UnionBank reaffirms its commitment to serve clients with excellence, expertise, and integrity.
Learn more about Beyond the Graph and UnionBank’s wealth management initiatives at unionbankph.com/beyondthegraph. For details on wealth management offerings, visit unionbankph.com or follow UnionBank on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube. Deposits are insured by PDIC up to ₱1,000,000 per depositor. UnionBank of the Philippines is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.