Through its pioneering NextGen Academy and Leading Generation programme, the bank is redefining how Philippine family businesses prepare the next generation to lead and preserve their legacies
Formally launched in 2019, UnionBank Private Banking’s NextGen Academy is the first structured family wealth education programme in the Philippines’ private banking space. Designed for the next generation of ultra-high-net-worth clients, the initiative reflects the bank’s belief that wealth preservation begins with education and shared understanding among generations.
The academy provides a multi-week, multi-module curriculum that builds entrepreneurial foundations and promotes holistic financial stewardship. Beyond classroom learning, its format blends experiential workshops and real-world discussions that bridge financial literacy with values-based leadership.
With this international and foundational approach, UnionBank Private Banking has shifted the role of private banking from wealth management to wealth mentorship – a deliberate strategy to future-proof family legacies in an evolving market.
Bridging generations
In 2024, UnionBank Private Banking expanded the programme through the launch of LeGen – short for Leading Generation – a complementary programme that brings together the senior and next generation of family business leaders.
LeGen fosters dialogue on topics that traditionally remain unspoken within family enterprises, such as governance structures, wealth transfer and the emotional dimensions of legacy. Sessions co-led by experts from law firms and other international specialists delve into complex issues including family constitutions, citizenship and residence planning, and intergenerational wealth transition.
By creating space for both generations to participate, UnionBank Private Banking has turned succession planning into a collaborative and continuous process rather than a single-event conversation.
“UnionBank Private Banking’s NextGen Academy has transformed wealth education into a catalyst for intergenerational collaboration and legacy building”
Local roots, global reach
UnionBank Private Banking’s approach combines global expertise with deep local understanding – an advantage rooted in its ability to navigate the nuances of Philippine family dynamics while drawing insights from international partners. Workshops held across local and overseas locations connect clients to global best practices and foster a network of peers facing similar succession challenges. This dual perspective has allowed UnionBank Private Banking to position itself as a bridge between local tradition and global sophistication, ensuring Filipino family wealth is managed with world-class standards while retaining its cultural identity.
As a pioneering initiative with proprietary and copyrighted components, UnionBank’s NextGen Academy highlights the bank’s commitment to innovation and thought leadership in a market where such programmes remain limited.
Redefining private banking
UnionBank Private Banking’s focus on empowering families through education exemplifies a modern interpretation of private banking – one that moves beyond portfolio performance to long-term family legacy.
By integrating financial insight, legal knowledge and emotional intelligence into a single platform, the bank has created a model that resonates with clients seeking relevance in a fast-changing world. As intergenerational wealth in Asia continues to expand, the UnionBank NextGen Academy stands as a benchmark for how private banks can shape future leaders and legacies. It is a vision anchored not merely in managing wealth but in transferring wisdom.
Metrics That Matter
- 2019 Launch year of the NextGen Academy
- 1st Structured family wealth education programme in Philippine private banking