UnionBank of the Philippines—recognized as the Best Wealth Management Bank in the Philippines by The Asian Banker — has teamed up with INSEAD, one of the world’s leading business schools, to launch the ASCEND Program, a multi-year learning initiative aimed at upskilling the bank’s Relationship Managers (RMs) in Wealth Management, Private Banking, and Retail Banking.

The partnership was formalized through a ceremonial signing between UnionBank President and CEO Ana Aboitiz Delgado and Prof. Sameer Hasija, Dean of INSEAD Asia Campus and Executive Education. This collaboration underscores UnionBank’s commitment to developing world-class banking talent and advancing its client-centered approach to wealth management.

Joining Hasija at the event were Karthik Rajaraman, INSEAD Senior Director for Corporate Partnerships, and VJ Posadas, INSEAD Director for Corporate Partnerships. Representing UnionBank’s leadership team 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 reflects our deep commitment to investing in our people and shaping the future of banking,” Delgado said. “Excellence in client service begins with excellence in talent. We’re building a new generation of Relationship Managers who are not just technically capable but also deeply attuned to their clients’ goals and aspirations.”

Prof. Hasija highlighted the shared vision behind the partnership: “When an organization calls its learning provider a partner, it shows a strong culture of continuous learning. This collaboration has real potential for impact.”

Under its first phase, selected RMs underwent an intensive two-day training led by INSEAD faculty. Future phases will integrate digital learning modules on digital currencies, tokenization, and artificial intelligence, keeping UnionBank’s advisors at the forefront of global financial innovation.

The ASCEND Program builds on UnionBank’s high tech–high touch approach, spotlighted in its Beyond the Graph series, which showcases how RMs combine data-driven insights with human connection to deliver personalized financial strategies.

Through ASCEND, UnionBank continues to redefine wealth advisory in the Philippines—positioning its advisors not just as bankers, but as trusted, forward-thinking professionals equipped to guide clients through an evolving financial landscape with insight, empathy, and expertise.

🔗 Learn more about Beyond The Graph and UnionBank Wealth Management at unionbankph.com/beyondthegraph