Smarter banks, bolder moves: AI and the future of finance

Francis Ongpin-Lock Chiu

First VP, Head of Consumer Banking Applications, BDO Unibank, Inc.

Francis Ongpin-Lock Chiu is an award-winning technology executive with over 25 years of experience driving digital transformation, innovation, and operational excellence in financial services. As First Vice President and Head of Consumer Banking Applications at BDO Unibank, he leads initiatives that enhance customer experience, optimize operations and align technology strategies with business objectives.

Francis has successfully led large-scale teams and strategic initiatives, including reducing system vulnerabilities, integrating core banking solutions for revenue growth, and managing multimillion-dollar portfolios.

Dr. David R Hardoon

FGlobal Head of AI Enablement , Standard Chartered Bank

David is the AI Global Head for Standard Chartered Bank. Previously, David was Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) first appointed Chief Data Officer and Head of Data Analytics Group and subsequently Special Advisor (Artificial Intelligence). In these roles he led the development of the AI strategy both for MAS and Singapore’s financial sector as well as driving efforts in promoting open cross-border data flows. David pioneered the regulator and central bank adoption of data science as well as establishment of the Fairness, Ethics, Accountability and Transparency (FEAT) principles, first-of-a-kind guidelines issued in 2018 for adopting Artificial Intelligence in the financial industry, as well as establishing the MAS-backed Veritas consortium.

In prior roles, David was Senior Advisor for Data and AI to the Aboitiz Group, a Philippines base Conglomerate, external advisor to Singapore's Corrupt Investigation Practices Bureau (CPIB) in the capacity of Senior Advisor (Artificial Intelligence) and external advisor Singapore's Central Provident Fund Board (CPF) in the capacity of Senior Advisor (Data Science).

Franco G. Nazareno

Chief Technology Officer, OwnBank

Franco Nazareno is the Chief Technology Officer of OwnBank, currently steering the bank’s transition from a legacy core banking system to a modern digital platform. With over 15 years of experience in fintech, insurtech, and digital operations, Franco has led transformative technology initiatives across various high-growth industries. He specializes in system modernization, cloud architecture, and digital strategy execution.

Lito Villanueva

EVP & Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer, RCBC

Lito Villanueva is widely recognized as the Philippines' leading authority in digital transformation and inclusive digital finance. As EVP and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer at RCBC, he has spearheaded award-winning innovations that earned over 300 accolades, including Euromoney’s Best Bank for Digital and recognition at the Singapore Fintech Festival. He also serves as Chief Digital Transformation Advisor for the Yuchengco Group. Named Asia’s Trailblazer of the Year 2025 by Retail Banker International, he has received numerous regional and national honors in fintech, marketing, and customer experience. Mr. Villanueva is the founding chairman of Fintech Alliance.PH and holds leadership roles in various ASEAN fintech and blockchain councils. He is also a published author and a columnist for The Philippine Star.

Esel de Sagun-Madrid

Head of Data Science & AI COE, Security Bank Corporation

Esel De Sagun-Madrid leads the data science and analytics team at Security Bank, where she oversees the central team of data scientists, analytics engineers and analysts in driving real business impact with their bank partners. She’s passionate about making data practical—helping teams use it to solve problems, make better decisions, and innovate responsibly.

Before Security Bank, she also built and led data teams at another major financial institution. Earlier in her career, Esel worked in the US in management consulting, gaining exposure to insurance, supply chain and other industries. A Certified Public Accountant by background, Esel brings a unique combination of financial discipline, business acumen, and technical depth to her work.

Oliver V. Chato

Director III, Information and Communications Technology Department
Securities and Exchange Commission

Oliver Vinzons Chato is an IT professional with nearly three decades of experience in the Philippine IT industry. His skillset includes software and hardware support, mobile and web application development and architecture, IT programme management, and the application of frameworks and methodologies.

He has been part of the Ateneo DISCS faculty, specialising in computer networks and blockchain. Since March 2020, he has been with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and has served as Director of the Information and Communications Technology Department since February 2022. In this role, he supports the Commission En Banc in leading its digital transformation and IT modernisation efforts.

Jose Teodoro K. Limcaoco

President, Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP)
President & CEO, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)

Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco is the President and CEO of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), the country’s first bank and one of Southeast Asia’s most established financial institutions. He assumed the role in April 2021 and has been a member of BPI’s Board and Executive Committee since 2019. He also serves as Chairman or Director across multiple BPI subsidiaries, including BPI Wealth, BPI Capital, BPI/MS Insurance, and BPI Foundation, among others. Outside BPI, he is the President of the Bankers Association of the Philippines, Chairman of Philippine Payments Management Inc., and holds leadership roles in various corporate, academic, and civic organisations.

His leadership has earned him numerous accolades, including Communicator of the Year 2023 (IABC Asia Pacific) and Best CEO (Philippines) in Asia’s Best Managed Companies 2023 by FinanceAsia. Prior to BPI, TG held several key roles at Ayala Corporation, including CFO, Chief Risk Officer, and Chief Sustainability Officer, and served on the boards of Globe Telecom, Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc., and AC Energy International, among others. A former executive at JP Morgan and BZW Asia.

Mario R. Domingo

OIC & Chief Commercial Officer
UBX Philippines Corp.

Mario Domingo is the Officer-in-Charge & Chief Commercial Officer at UBX. He previously served as the Global CTO of UBX, and earlier as Asia Pacific Group CTO of Cboe Technology Philippines Inc. and President & CTO of Chi-X Asia Pacific Holdings. A prominent figure in digital transformation and artificial intelligence, Mario holds a PhD in Leadership Studies, majoring in Business Leadership, from the John Gokongwei School of Management. He also founded DARC Labs, an AI-powered cancer and diagnostics research center and is the Director for the Ateneo Institute for Digital Enterprises at the Graduate School of Business.

Foo Boon Ping

President and Managing Director, TAB Global

Foo Boon Ping manages The Asian Banker’s publishing and research business in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. He regularly engages the financial services community on transformational issues shaping the industry; speaking at and chairing many of the Asian Banker’s as well as partners’ events. He has more than 25 years' experience in strategic brand management, corporate & marketing communication and research & consulting, covering: retail, corporate and transaction banking, financial markets, risk management, compliance and financial technology. He had previously served in senior management positions at UOB and DBS Bank. He was also formerly a senior consulting manager at Ernst and Young and started his career as a financial journalist.

Urs Bolt

Chairman,The Banking Academy

Christian Kapfer is research director, managing TABInsights, leading research and consulting engagement with top-tier financial institutions in benchmarking business and strategic capabilities across leadership, commercial, retail and transaction finance, financial markets, risk management, financial technology, and wealth management. Kapfer joined The Asian Banker in 2014 and was responsible for starting many of the company's research programmes, such as Excellence in Retail Financial Services, AB 500 Strongest Banks Ranking and Working Groups.

Christian Kapfer

Research Director, TABInsights

Christian Kapfer is research director, managing TABInsights, leading research and consulting engagement with top-tier financial institutions in benchmarking business and strategic capabilities across leadership, commercial, retail and transaction finance, financial markets, risk management, financial technology, and wealth management. Kapfer joined The Asian Banker in 2014 and was responsible for starting many of the company's research programmes, such as Excellence in Retail Financial Services, AB 500 Strongest Banks Ranking and Working Groups.