EastWest Wins Gold for HR Tech Innovation
EastWest Wins Gold for HR Tech Innovation at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards
Recognizing People-Led, Tech-Powered HR Transformation
EastWest Bank has achieved a major milestone in workplace innovation, winning the Gold Stevie® Award for Excellence in Innovative Use of Technology in Human Resources at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards.
This prestigious award recognizes workplace advancements across 29 countries, and EastWest’s victory underscores its commitment to employee-centric transformation powered by cutting-edge HR technology.
Held on May 13, 2025, in Seoul, South Korea, the awards ceremony celebrated organizations that push the boundaries of efficiency, engagement, and people-first strategies.
Modernizing HR with People-Led Automation
EastWest’s success is anchored in its People Advantage Gameplan, a two-year transformation strategy designed to streamline processes while keeping human connections at the core.
Using Microsoft Power Platform tools, the bank’s HR team developed digital solutions internally—without relying on external vendors. These solutions optimized critical employee lifecycle processes, including:
- Onboarding and offboarding systems
- Real-time people dashboard and analytics
- Employee wellness programs
- Internal loan processing for staff
- Recognition programs
The result? A scalable and employee-centered HR model built to enhance workplace engagement and productivity.
Driving Measurable Improvements in Employee Satisfaction
EastWest’s tech-driven HR approach has led to remarkable improvements in workplace satisfaction and engagement.
Key metrics from 2022 to 2024 include:
- Employee Satisfaction rose by 8 points, jumping from 69% to 77%.
- 93% of employees expressed intent to stay in the organization for the next two years.
- Employee Engagement increased by 4 points, moving from 73% to 77%.
- Net headcount growth surged by 18%, marking the highest hiring levels in over a decade.
- Attrition rates dropped by 10 percentage points, aligning with industry standards.
These improvements demonstrate the effectiveness of EastWest’s HR transformation, proving that technology and human connection go hand in hand.
Fostering Stronger Employee Relationships
Beyond digital tools, EastWest’s transformation placed high emphasis on employee connection and engagement.
The initiative included:
- Listening sessions to gather insights directly from employees.
- CEO-led conversations, reinforcing transparency and alignment with leadership.
- Employee storytelling campaigns, promoting authenticity across the organization.
This approach ensured that while HR processes became more automated, the human element remained central to EastWest’s culture.
According to Atty. Juan Alfonso “Alfie” Suarez, Chief People, Corporate Services, and Sustainability Officer at EastWest:
“We’ve always believed that technology is central in making people-centered experiences across the employee lifecycle happen. This recognition inspires us to do better, be better, and take our employees, customers, and stakeholders further.”
By merging tech innovation with relationship-building, EastWest has set a new standard for HR excellence.
A Future-Ready HR Model
EastWest’s HR strategy goes beyond automation—it focuses on customer centricity, shared benefit, and continuous improvement.
Looking ahead, the bank will further refine its technology-driven HR model, ensuring:
- Stronger employee engagement
- Greater workplace efficiency
- Enhanced talent acquisition and retention
- Advanced HR analytics for informed decision-making
By leading with technology as an enabler, EastWest is positioning itself as an industry benchmark for modern, employee-first HR management.
Final Thoughts: Innovation Meets Employee Well-Being
Winning the Gold Stevie® Award is a testament to EastWest’s leadership in HR innovation.
Through strategic digital transformation, internal automation, and an unwavering focus on people, the bank continues to redefine employee experience while maintaining strong workplace values.
As businesses worldwide seek smarter HR solutions, EastWest proves that the future of human resources lies in balancing technology with genuine human connections.
This award-winning HR model sets a new precedent—one where tech enhances, rather than replaces, the role of people in the workplace.
For more information on EastWest’s talent innovation and employee experience programs, visit www.eastwestbanker.com.
