UnionBank CEO Ana Maria Aboitiz-Delgado Makes History as First Woman President of Bankers Association of the Philippines
In a landmark move for the Philippine financial sector, Ana Maria Aboitiz-Delgado, president and chief executive officer of Union Bank of the Philippines, has been elected as the new president of the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP). This appointment marks her as the first woman to lead the nearly 80-year-old industry organization, signaling a progressive shift in banking leadership.
A Vision for Collaborative and Technology-Driven Banking
In her inaugural statement, Aboitiz-Delgado outlined a forward-looking vision centered on deeper cooperation, enhanced risk management, and the responsible integration of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence. She emphasized that the banking industry holds immense potential to uplift lives and drive economic progress by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of financial services.
"What excites me most is that as bankers, ours is an industry that has the ability to uplift lives and fuel economic progress by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of banking services," she declared. However, she cautioned that while digitalization and AI are accelerating transformation, they also introduce a new generation of risks that transcend individual institutions and national borders, compounded by geopolitical uncertainties affecting the global economy.
Addressing Emerging Risks Through Industry-Wide Standards
Aboitiz-Delgado stressed that tackling these challenges requires robust industry-wide standards and closer coordination among banks, regulators, and other stakeholders. "These underscore the importance of advancing industry-wide standards and deepening collaboration with each other, the central bank, and the communities we serve — so that trust and confidence in the financial system is not only preserved, but strengthened," she added.
Her leadership builds on the initiatives of outgoing BAP president Jose Teodoro K. Limcaoco, who during his three-year term focused on combating financial scams and cybercrime, supporting the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, and enhancing regional cooperation through the Asean Bankers Association. The association also worked on improving banking platform interoperability to support the surge in digital transactions.
Background and Priorities of the New BAP President
With over two decades of experience at UnionBank, starting as a management trainee in 2003 and rising to lead one of the country's most digitally advanced banks, Aboitiz-Delgado brings a wealth of expertise in SME banking, retail and institutional finance, customer experience, and digital channels. Her background is expected to shape her priorities at the BAP, focusing on fostering a resilient and innovative banking ecosystem.
Her appointment comes at a critical juncture as Philippine banks navigate opportunities from digital innovation while contending with rising risks such as cybersecurity threats, cross-border fraud, and global economic volatility.
New Leadership Team and Appointments
Alongside Aboitiz-Delgado, the BAP elected a new leadership team:
- Fabian S. Dee of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company as first vice president
- Lynette V. Ortiz of Land Bank of the Philippines as second vice president
- Joseph Albert L. Gotuaco of BDO Private Bank as treasurer
- Paul Raymond A. Favila of Citibank, N.A. as secretary
Additionally, Elfren Antonio S. Sartre was appointed as managing director, succeeding Benjamin P. Castillo, who had served the association since 2017.
