Mayoran Rajendra

MD; GM AI Transformation Department , SMBC Group

Mayoran Rajendra is the General Manager of the AI Transformation Department at Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMBC Group), where he leads the firm’s enterprise-wide AI transformation strategy. Based in Singapore, he plays a pivotal role in driving SMBC’s evolution into an AI-led financial institution by accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies, including generative AI and agent-based systems, across the organization.

In his current capacity, Mayoran is responsible for the design and execution of digital financial solutions that leverage customer value chain data, enabling more integrated, data-driven banking services. His work focuses on enhancing client value, improving operational efficiency, and embedding AI at the core of business processes. In parallel, he oversees SMBC’s corporate venture capital initiatives, including the SMBC Asia Rising Fund (USD 200 million AUM) and the Atlas Beyond Fund (USD 300 million AUM in the U.S.).

Through these platforms, he drives strategic investments in high-potential startups and fosters cross-border innovation, effectively bridging Japanese institutional strengths with the agility and innovation of emerging technology ecosystems across Asia and globally.

Prior to joining SMBC, Mayoran served as CEO and Country Leader of GE Digital Japan, where he led large-scale digital transformation programs for leading industrial enterprises across Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. In this role, he combined deep technical expertise with strong business leadership to deliver impactful, technology-driven outcomes.

Adrienne Heinrich

Head of Data Science and AI
Maya

Dr. Adrienne Heinrich is Head of Data Science and AI at Maya, where she leads the application of data science and artificial intelligence across the company’s integrated digital banking and payments ecosystem. She brings nearly two decades of experience spanning AI research, product development, innovation strategy and responsible AI governance.

Before joining Maya, she led the AI Center of Excellence at UnionBank of the Philippines and held senior AI leadership and advisory roles at Aboitiz Data Innovation. Her work has included natural language processing, graph and geospatial analytics, explainable AI, enterprise AI adoption and capability-building programmes.

Earlier in her career, Adrienne spent more than 14 years with Philips, leading multidisciplinary research and product initiatives in AI-enabled health and consumer technologies. She has delivered more than 30 international presentations, contributed to scientific publications and filed over 15 patent applications.

Grace Ofelia Lovely V. Dayo

SVP, Digital Banking Sector
LANDBANK

Grace Ofelia Lovely V. Dayo is a seasoned banking and technology executive with over 28 years of dedicated service at LANDBANK, bringing extensive expertise in digital banking, information technology, systems development, and digital transformation.

She joined LANDBANK in 1998 as a programmer and has since built a distinguished career through a series of leadership roles across the Bank's information technology and digital banking operations.

Over the years, she has led initiatives in systems development, technology management, and digital innovation, serving as a programmer, technical lead, information technology officer, and Head of the Retail Banking Systems Department.

Prior to her current role, she headed the Digital Products Development and Management Group, where she spearheaded the development and implementation of customer-centric digital solutions that further strengthened LANDBANK's digital banking ecosystem.

As Senior Vice President and Officer-in-Charge of the Digital Banking Sector, Lovely leads the Bank's digital transformation agenda, driving the delivery of secure, innovative, and accessible digital financial solutions that enhance customer experience, expand financial inclusion, and support LANDBANK's strategic priorities.

Angel Redoble

Chairman and Founding President
Philippine Institute of Cyber Security Professionals

Angel T. Redoble is a cybersecurity executive and adviser with more than 30 years of experience in cyber governance, risk management, incident response, digital forensics, fraud investigation and enterprise security.

He is Chairman and Managing Partner of Angel T. Redoble & Associates, President and CEO of North-Star Cyber Management, Inc., and Chairman and Founding President of the Philippine Institute of Cyber Security Professionals. He previously served as Group CISO of PLDT, Smart Communications and ePLDT, where he led enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategy and operations.

His expertise includes cyber warfare, ransomware response, compromise assessment, ethical hacking, business continuity, security architecture and national cyber resilience. He has also advised the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and held senior roles supporting the Philippine National Police’s anti-cybercrime and transformation initiatives.

His recognitions include the Asia Pacific Information Security Leadership Award, Visionary CISO Award and ASEAN CSO30 honours. He also developed the Global Chain of Trust and Secure Remote Access Platform cybersecurity frameworks.

Gauraw Srivastava

EVP, Head of Wealth Management
UnionBank

Gauraw Srivastava is a seasoned banking and financial services leader with 24 years of experience across global banks and leading Asian financial institutions, building and scaling high-growth businesses in Private Banking, Wealth & Asset Management, Mass Affluent Banking, Retail Banking, and Consumer Finance. In senior leadership roles, he has shaped strategy, led large-scale execution, and driven digital transformation across India and Southeast Asia. Gauraw combines deep expertise in serving HNW/UHNW clients through advisory-led wealth models with building scalable, digital-first platforms for the mass affluent and next-generation retail customers.

Romina Angeliz H. Marcaida

AI Policy and Governance Head
UnionBank

Atty. Romina Angeliz H. Marcaida is the AI Policy and Governance Head at UnionBank of the Philippines, where she leads the development and implementation of frameworks that enable the responsible, ethical, and risk-aligned use of artificial intelligence across the organization. She oversees AI governance initiatives covering policy development, regulatory alignment, model risk management, and third-party AI due diligence, ensuring compliance with both local and global standards.

With a strong background in public policy and emerging technologies, Romina plays a key role in shaping how financial institutions navigate the evolving AI landscape. She actively engages with regulators and industry groups on AI governance and contributes to the advancement of responsible AI practices in the Philippine banking sector—driven by her passion for bridging innovation and accountability, enabling organizations to adopt AI that is both transformative and trustworthy.

Marlon P. Sorongon

CISO Maybank

Marlon P. Sorongon is a cybersecurity, technology and risk executive with more than 25 years of experience across banking, financial services, critical infrastructure, consulting and multinational organisations. His expertise spans enterprise cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, cyber-risk management, security transformation, governance and digital resilience.

Throughout his career, Marlon has led the development and transformation of cybersecurity programmes, established enterprise governance frameworks and implemented risk-based security strategies aligned with business priorities and regulatory requirements. He combines deep technical knowledge with executive leadership, enabling organisations to strengthen resilience while supporting innovation and growth.

Marlon has received multiple industry recognitions, including Top 100 Global CISO by Menlo Security in 2022, Cyber Security Practitioner of the Year at the 2023 World Financial Innovation Series Awards, and CISO of the Year at the 2024 PhilSec Awards. He was also a finalist for Best CISO of the Year at the ISOG Awards in 2022 and 2024 and has been nominated for the 2026 Top 100 Global CISO Awards by Cyber Defense Media Group.

Mark Philip Comandante

Founder-CEO, Exoasia Innovation Hub; Exec Director, Global AI Council Philippines

Mack Comandante is an AI transformation strategist, executive educator, and Founder of Exoasia Innovation Hub. He helps organizations build AI-ready cultures — with people at the center. He has coached over 30,000 leaders globally, certified hundreds of managers in innovation and AI transformation, and designed workforce capability programs across FMCG, healthcare, logistics, and the startup ecosystems. With 20+ years of corporate leadership at Zuellig Pharma, Universal Robina, and Danone-URC, Mack brings board-level AI strategy to the human side of transformation. Mack is the Executive Director of Global AI Council Philippines,

Founding Trustee of the Cyber Security Council of the Philippines, and an active practitioner with the Blockchain Council of the Philippines & CIO Philippines.

Angelo Madrid

President, Maya Bank

Angelo Madrid is the President of Maya Bank, the no. 1 digital bank in the Philippines. Before joining Maya, Angelo served as the Country Manager of Tala Philippines, a US-based fintech lending startup. He also held various roles with Citibank, based in New York, including co-founding a fintech startup with Citi Ventures that uses alternative data to help US consumers gain access to credit.

Ana Aboitiz Delgado

President, Bankers Association of the Philippines
President and Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank of the Philippines

Ana Aboitiz Delgado is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director of Union Bank of the Philippines. She also serves as Chairman of City Savings Bank, Inc., and is a Director of UnionDigital Bank and Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. She was recently elected President of the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP).

Prior to assuming her current role, Ms. Delgado was Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Institutional Banking, where she drove enterprise-wide growth and innovation. Her career at UnionBank began as a Product Manager in the Retail Banking Center and progressed through senior leadership roles across Institutional Banking, Customer Experience, SME Lending, and Consumer Finance—giving her a deep, end-to-end understanding of the Bank’s businesses and customers.

Before joining UnionBank, Ms. Delgado was with Citibank, N.A., where she served as Assistant Vice President for Product Management. She is a visionary leader with a strong passion for innovation, Ms. Delgado believes that modern banking must go beyond transactions to create meaningful and lasting impact. She is committed to shaping transformative products, solutions, and industry initiatives that enhance customer experiences and improve lives.

Melchor T. Plabasan

Senior Director, Technology Risk and Innovation Supervision
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Mhel Plabasan is Head of the Technology Risk and Innovation Supervision Department at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, where he leads efforts to balance financial innovation with risk management and public protection. Under his leadership, the BSP has supported the growth of electronic wallets, online banking and digital banks while strengthening oversight of new technologies.

His department received the 2023 Global RegTech and SupTech Award for its Cyber Resilience Initiative, recognising (ASTERisC*), a cloud-based platform that automates cybersecurity supervision and enables more proactive, risk-based oversight of supervised institutions.

Mhel advances regulatory sandboxes, supervisory technology, responsible AI in financial services and secure open data access. His work reflects a vision of moving from enabling regulation towards active governance, where regulatory frameworks also serve as foundational digital infrastructure. Through this approach, he promotes innovation with discipline, ensuring progress is matched by accountability, security and prudence for the benefit of the Filipino public.

Kenneth Catugas

Head of IT
ING

Kenneth F. Catugas is Head of Information Technology at ING Hubs Philippines, where he oversees nationwide IT operations supporting more than 6,500 employees across two office locations. A Chartered IT Professional and Member of the British Computer Society, he brings over 17 years of experience in technology management, IT governance and digital transformation.

Kenneth is a three-time recipient of The World CIO 200 Award, recognised in 2023, 2024 and 2025. He was also named Tech Innovator of the Year at the 2023 World Financial Innovation Series Conference. These honours reflect his forward-looking leadership, commitment to innovation and impact in advancing enterprise technology. He continues to champion secure, scalable and business-aligned technology strategies that support transformation, operational excellence and long-term growth across industries.

Jerry G. Ngo

Chief Executive Officer, East West Banking Corporation

Jerry G. Ngo is Chief Executive Officer of East West Banking Corporation, bringing over 30 years of experience in banking, finance and strategic investments across Asia. As CEO, he has championed a digital-first strategy while strengthening EastWest’s position in consumer banking, with investments in technology, cybersecurity and process innovation.

He is an active member of the Bankers Association of the Philippines and previously chaired its Education Committee, as well as the same committee at the ASEAN Bankers Association.

Before joining EastWest, Mr. Ngo served as Strategic Investment Advisor at Filinvest Development Corporation and held senior roles at PT Saratoga Investama Sedaya Tbk, ANZ Bank Indonesia, Standard Chartered Bank and Citibank across Asia. His experience spans institutional, commercial and private banking, investment management and corporate finance.

Francis Ongpin-Lock Chiu

First VP, Head of Consumer Banking Applications, BDO Unibank

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.

Florabelle M. Santos-Madrid

MD, Policy and Specialized Supervision
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Florabelle or Lovie is the Managing Director of the Policy and Specialized Supervision Sub-sector (PSSSS) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). She oversees key supervisory and policy units within the Financial Supervision Sector, covering prudential policy and research, anti-money laundering and countering terrorism and proliferation financing (AML/CTPF) supervision, financial technology risk and innovation supervision, capital markets and trust supervision, data analytics, and sustainable finance.

With over 20 years of experience in banking supervision, Lovie has played a key role in strengthening regulatory and supervisory frameworks supporting financial stability, digitalization, financial integrity and sustainable finance.

Jonah Dunca

CISO and Deputy Data Privacy Officer
PETNET Inc.

Jonah Dunca, CISM, CEH, is an experienced cybersecurity and information security executive currently serving as the Assistant Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of PETNET Inc. He leads the company’s cybersecurity and information security initiatives, focusing on cyber risk management, security governance, threat management, and cyber resilience.

Prior to PETNET, Jonah served as CISO of Philippine Veterans Bank and previously held information security leadership roles at SKY Cable Corporation and other financial institutions, including Sterling Bank of Asia, EastWest Bank, and Philippine Bank of Communications. He holds CISM and CEH certifications and brings extensive experience in cybersecurity, information security governance, risk management, security operations, and regulatory compliance across the financial services and telecommunications sectors.

Georg Steiger

Co-Founder & CEO
BillEase

Georg Steiger is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BillEase, a leading digital consumer finance platform in the Philippines that provides flexible payment solutions, accessible credit and a growing range of everyday financial services.

Originally from Vienna, Austria, Georg co-founded First Digital Finance Corporation in 2015 with Ritche Weekun and Huyen Nguyen before launching BillEase in 2017. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its products and partnerships while advancing its mission to make credit more accessible to underserved and underbanked Filipino consumers.

Within the founding team, Georg leads product strategy, technology, artificial intelligence and general management. He continues to guide BillEase’s growth as a founder-led financial technology company, combining digital innovation with responsible lending and financial inclusion.

Redentor "Dennis" Bancod

Assistant Governor
Payments & Currency Dev. Sector
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Dennis Bancod is the Assistant Governor of the Payments and Currency Development Sub-Sector at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, leading digital payments policy, oversight, and currency integrity. He has a wide breadth of banking experience, over 40 years with various banking institutions here and abroad. Prior to joining the BSP, he held concurrent positions as Chief of Staff, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Information Officer of one of the top 5 banks in the country. He is also the founding chairman of Instapay, the National Retail Real Time Payments Rail of the Philippines. He also held senior roles at Sun Life Asia, Equitable PCI (now BDO), and UBS New York.

David R. Hardoon

Global 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.

Patricia Manasan

VP, Data Science Head, Security Bank

Patricia Manasan is a senior data science and Al leader with extensive experience in the financial services industry. She currently serves as Vice President and Head of Al Execution and Innovation at a leading Philippine bank, where she leads the development and execution of advanced analytics and Al solutions that support strategic decision-making, operational efficiency, and revenue growth.

Patricia has successfully led enterprise-wide data and Al initiatives and is widely recognized for her ability to bridge business strategy with technical execution. She is a Data & Analytics Leader of the Year awardee and a frequent speaker at local and international conferences, industry forums, and executive events, where she shares insights on Al adoption, analytics transformation, and data leadership.

Passionate about continuous learning and talent development, Patricia actively mentors data professionals while remaining deeply engaged in the evolving data and Al landscape.

Lito Villanueva

EVP & Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer, RCBC

Lito Villanueva is the Philippines award-winning and leading authority in digital transformation and inclusive finance. As RCBC's Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer, he has driven groundbreaking innovations, earning over 300 accolades, including Euromoney's Best Bank for Digital (2020-2025), Singapore Fintech Festival's Sustainable Innovator of the Year 2024, and ASEAN's Best Customer Experience Bank at the ASEAN Fintech Forum Awards 2025. He also advises the Yuchengco Group on digital transformation.

Villanueva was named among People Asia's Men Who Matter in 2025, Asia's Trailblazer of the Year 2025 by Retail Banker International, and has received top honors from the Asia Marketing Federation, The Digital Banker, and the Asian Management Excellence Awards. Dubbed "Mr. FinTech of the Philippines" by BizNews Asia, he also holds multiple Linkedin leadership distinctions.

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, ICT 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;
President & CEO, Bank of the Philippine Islands

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

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 Executive Director
TAB Global

Foo Boon Ping is the President and Executive Director, TAB Global. He manages its publishing and research business in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa and regularly engages the financial services community on transformational issues shaping the industry. He has more than 25 years of experience in strategic brand , corporate and marketing communication as well as research and consulting, covering retail, corporate and transaction banking, financial markets, risk management, compliance and financial technology. Foo started his career as a financial journalist, worked as a senior consulting manager at Ernst and Young and served in senior management positions at UOB and DBS Bank.

Foo Boon Ping

President and Executive Director
TAB Global

Foo Boon Ping is the President and Managing Editor of The Asian Banker, where he manages its publishing and research business across Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. He regularly engages the financial services community on transformational issues shaping the industry, speaking at and chairing The Asian Banker's as well as partners' events.

He has more than 25 years of experience in strategic brand management, corporate and marketing communication, and research and consulting, covering retail, corporate and transaction banking, financial markets, risk management, compliance and financial technology.

He 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

International Resource Director
TAB Global

Urs Bolt is a senior leader in wealth management and investment banking with over four decades of experience across global financial institutions. He has held leadership roles on both the buy-side and sell-side, driving strategy, innovation, and digital transformation. As a product leader, Urs has built and rolled out digital wealth platforms spanning advisory, portfolio management, and client engagement solutions.

An author, opinion leader, speaker, lecturer on (digital) wealth management and WealthTech, Urs has contributed thought leadership including the article “The Financial Life of Filipinos”. In addition, Urs designed and leads the Foundations of Digital Wealth Management course as an Affiliate Faculty member at SMU Academy and is a long-time judge of the FT PWM WealthTech Awards. Drawing on these roles and his extensive industry experience, he advises financial institutions and WealthTech firms on navigating the evolving digital wealth ecosystem.

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.

Jaime Valentin Araneta

President & Director, Citystate Savings Bank

Jaime Valentin Araneta is currently the President & Director of Citystate Savings Bank. Araneta began his banking career as a Manager at Boston Bank of the Philippines (1981–1988) and later held leadership roles at PNB Republic Bank, Asiatrust Bank, and Philippine Savings Bank. He served as Vice Chairman and President of Unity Rural Bank (2012–2014), Executive Vice President at Planters Development Bank, Chinabank Savings, and PBCOM (2011–2019), and Director at PBCOM Insurance Services Agency (2017–2020). In 2022, he was elected Director of Citystate Savings Bank and became its President in June 2023.

Chia Hock Lai

Chairman, Responsible Fintech Institute;
Co-chairman, Digital Assets Association

Chia Hock Lai chairs the Responsible FinTech Institute, championing real-world utilities for responsible innovation. He also co-chairs the Digital Assets Association, actively building the ecosystem for institutional digital assets and Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization.

He brings more than two decades of financial and technology expertise from organizations like GovTech and Income Insurance. Widely recognized as a thought leader and ecosystem builder, he fosters public-private dialogue, promotes responsible innovation, and drives regional collaboration across the Indo-Pacific. He co-founded and led the Singapore FinTech Association, Blockchain Association of Singapore and Global Fintech Institute. An NUS and NTU alumnus, Hock Lai is a fellow for both Institute of Banking & Finance and SkillsFuture, recognized for his contributions to digital transformation and skill development.

Rahul Bhargava

World Bank Consultant & Ambassador
EPAA, Currency Research, AI 2030

Rahul Bhargava is a globally recognised leader in financial services and payments, with over 22 years of experience driving innovation, digital transformation, and responsible AI adoption. He has led major initiatives across organisations like SWIFT, the World Bank Group, WEF, Accenture, FIS, and EPAA, focusing on digital money evolution, cross-border payments, CBDC interoperability, and emerging technologies.

Rahul has played a key role in launching next-generation payment systems, fostering interoperability, and advancing instant payments and open finance. He works closely with both public and private sectors on strategic programmes aligned with the G20 agenda.

Recently recognised as a “Responsible AI Leader” by AI2030 and awarded “Ambassador of the Year” by EPAA and AI2030, he is a frequent speaker at global events such as Sibos, Money 2020, and the Singapore Fintech Festival. He currently leads a global consulting portfolio, advising banks, fintechs, and governments on navigating the future of finance and payments.

Biswa Banik

Group Chief Data Officer, Tonik Bank

Biswa Banik is the Group Chief Data Officer at Tonik, the Philippines’ first fully digital bank. A seasoned analytics leader, Biswa has driven data strategy and transformation across Southeast Asia and the U.S., from heading data at fintech unicorn Kredivo to shaping AI-powered products at Microsoft, PwC and Oliver Wyman. He brings an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to harnessing Big Data and Generative AI for real-world financial solutions. Passionate about data and compassionate about people. Biswa is pioneering Tonik’s next wave of innovation in financial ecosystems

Askari Brown

Head of Solution Consulting, APAC, ACI Worldwide

Askari Brown is a payments veteran with more than 25 years of payments and financial services experience, he drives new client acquisitions while harnessing strategic partnerships to enhance solution deployment and activation for ACI clients. During his ACI career, now spanning nearly two decades, Askari covered multiple leadership roles across the enterprise, with an emphasis on consumer and wholesale banking software solutions.

Askari also spent four years as the VP of Global Multi-rail Payments Practice Lead at Mastercard, where he led a global advisory team driving multi-rail payment opportunities and projects that focused on real-time, account-to-account, and cross-border remittance payments.

Ika Tjahjana

Principal Solutions Engineer, APAC, Mambu

Angelina Tjahjana is a seasoned banking and technology leader with over 17 years of experience in financial services solution consulting, technical engagement, development, and implementation across APAC, the Middle East, and Europe.

She is a Principal Solutions Engineer for APAC region at Mambu. Since joining Mambu in 2019, she has been instrumental in growing the company’s footprint, driving new market entry, and improving the product offerings. Her expertise includes business analysis, retail and islamic banking, cash supply chain management, digital transformation, and cloud based solution. She’s passionate about making secure and reliable financial services accessible to all.

Michael Araneta

Lead ASEAN Banking AWS

Michael Araneta is the lead for AWS Banking in Southeast Asia (ASEAN). He is tasked to grow the prominence of AWS in the C-suite of leading banks in the region, contributing to AWS business development and thought leadership efforts across the region. He also covers how fintechs will be part of the strategy of banks in new themes such as core banking, embedded finance, and Banking-as-a-Service.

Michael Araneta has over 20 years of experience in research and strategic advisory for financial institutions across the region. Immediately prior to joining AWS, Michael was head for IDC Financial Insights Asia/Pacific, leading IDC’s team of analysts covering fintechs, and leading banks and insurers in their digital transformation effort.

Cristina Amor Maclang

Co-Founder, International Digital Economy Association

Amor Maclang has led cross-functional and cross-border collaborations among regional and national line agencies, industry leaders, academes, policymakers, and various stakeholders both from the private and public sectors. As the convenor of Digital Pilipinas, the largest private sector led movement for creating an innovation and a technology ecosystem in the Philippines, Amor continuously champions the mass uptake of blockchain, web 3.0, cryptocurrency, e-commerce, and fintech to raise the country’s innovation quotient.

Amor is currently one of the advisors of the Department of Finance, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the Department of Health initiating transformational change in line with her mission to transform the country into diverse antifragile ecosystems.

Pancho Reyna

Chief Technology Officer, UBX

Pancho Reyna is the Chief Technology Officer at UBX. With nearly 20 years of experience, he has served as CEO of a data analytics company, Head of Software Engineering for an international low-latency stock exchange operator, and Founder and CEO of a tech solutions services company. His expertise spans software engineering, data analytics, and tech startups in telecoms, banking, big data, and finance.

Roland V. Oscuro

Chief Information Security Officer & Data Protection Officer, PNB

Roland V. Oscuro, First Senior Vice President, is the Chief Information Security Officer and in concurrent capacity the Data protection Officer of the Philippine National Bank (PNB). He is an ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and an Electronics and Communication Engineer.

Roland V. Oscuro, First Senior Vice President, is the Chief Information Security Officer and, in concurrent capacity the Data protection Officer. Prior to his present position, Mr. Oscuro was hired as IT Consultant of the Bank on November 2, 2003. In May 2004, he was appointed as the Head of Network Management Division of Information Technology Group with the rank of First Vice President. He was the Operational Support System Group Manager of Multi-Media Telephony, Inc (Broadband Philippines) prior to joining PNB. He was also connected with various corporations such as Ediserve Corp. (Global Sources), Sterling Tobacco Corporation, Zero Datasoft (Al Bassam), Metal Industry Research and Development Center, and Pacific Office Machines, Inc.

John Howard Medina

Board Member
BancNet

John Howard D. Medina is the Chief Operating Officer of the Philippine Bank of Communications. He has over thirty years of experience driving innovation, change and transformation for financial services across several countries.

John is one of the pioneers in the process and technology transformation practice for financial services and helped change the Asia-Pacific operations of one of the largest multinational banks. He subsequently established a consulting firm in the United States, helping create new digital business initiatives for US financial institutions and fintechs.

Prior to joining PBCOM, John was the Head of Global Operations, Technology and Credit for the Philippine National Bank, where he worked for almost fifteen years. He was also the Integration Director, who oversaw the merger of PNB with Allied Banking Corporation. Mr. Medina also worked at Union Bank of the Philippines for five years where he conceptualized and implemented digital banking products and services.

John Januszczak

Fintech Executive | Board Advisor – Financial Services & Digital Transformation (Former President & CEO, UBX)

John Januszczak is a recognized leader in the fintech industry, known for his innovative vision and strategic expertise. As former CEO of UBX, UnionBank of the Philippines’ fintech spin-off, he spearheaded transformative initiatives that reshaped financial services through technology. With over two decades of experience, he has consistently driven growth, operational excellence, and customer-focused innovation.

Under his leadership, UBX launched groundbreaking products and services for diverse markets, fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusivity. He skillfully navigated complex regulatory landscapes, ensuring compliance while pushing fintech’s boundaries. Prior to UBX, Januszczak served as COO of Manulife Philippines, a leading multinational insurer.

Beyond corporate leadership, he actively engages in industry forums, sharing insights on finance and technology, and mentoring emerging talent. A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Januszczak remains a key voice shaping the future of fintech, championing sustainable growth and technological advancement.

Nichel Gaba

Founder & CEO, Philippine Digital Asset Exchange

Nichel Gaba is the CEO and Founder of PDAX (Philippine Digital Asset Exchange), a trusted and regulated platform licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Since 2017, PDAX has empowered Filipinos with secure access to modern financial products, including cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets, and Philippine government bonds.

Prior to founding PDAX, Nichel built a career in global financial markets, serving in senior roles at HSBC, Macquarie Capital, and Evercore, with expertise spanning banking, asset management, trust, and securities services. Notably, he served as a Vice President in the Trust Department at HSBC for over 3 years. His mission today is to drive financial inclusion in the Philippines through digital innovation, making wealth-building tools accessible to every Filipino.

Jeff Villapando

Senior Research Analyst
TAB Global

Jeff Villapando is a Senior Research Analyst at The Asian Banker, where he leads and contributes to research on retail financial services, digital transformation, financial technology, artificial intelligence and wealth management across Southeast Asia. He also co-manages the organization's awards research and evaluation process, assessing how banks and financial institutions apply emerging technologies to strengthen customer experience, operational performance and business growth.

His work includes analysing industry trends, evaluating institutional strategies and engaging with senior executives from banks, fintech companies and technology providers across the region. Through research, interviews, benchmarking and industry programmes, he translates complex developments in banking, technology and financial services into practical insights for industry leaders.

Albert P. Dela Cruz

Chief Information Security Officer, GoTyme

Albert Dela Cruz is currently the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of GoTyme Bank. GoTyme Bank is a joint venture of Tyme, a multi-country digital banking group, with members of the Gokongwei Group, namely Robinsons Bank, Robinsons Land Corporation, and Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc.

Abet is an established executive in Information Technology and the pioneer of the practice of Information Security in the Philippines. He contributed to information technology, security, and data privacy related policies as well as to agency rules and legislations for the Philippine Government including The eCommerce Act (RA8792) 

Anti-Cybercrime Act (RA10175), Data Privacy Act (RA10173), The Supreme Court rules on Electronic Evidence and eNotary. He continuously provides technical assistance and advisory to various government agencies and non-profit organizations “Pro-Bono Público”, as a private citizen and as Co-Founder, and Director of the Philippine Computer Emergency Response Team Coordinating Center (PHCERT/CC).

He is also a director and co-founder of HIGH FIVE HOPE – a not-for-profit organization based in Seattle Washington, U.S.A. which helps to get Filipino street children off crime and substance abuse through the power of sports.

William Bryson

Head of Partnerships, Philippines
Mambu

William Bryson is a seasoned financial services executive leading strategic partnerships across ASEAN for Mambu, a global cloud banking SaaS platform. Based in Metro Manila, he champions digital transformation for banks, neo‑banks, wealth managers, and fintechs. With deep expertise in deploying agile core banking solutions, William helps institutions scale and innovate in fast‑evolving markets. He is passionate about driving financial inclusion through technology and fostering sustainable growth across the region.

Jose Maria P. Valdes

CTO Citystate Savings

Jose Maria “Mayi” Valdes brings 44 years of experience in the IT industry, with expertise spanning infrastructure design, IT management, and digital transformation. He has led IT groups in four banking institutions, a sales and manufacturing company, and an independent ATM deployer, implementing core banking systems, loan management platforms, trade finance, treasury, and insurance applications.

Mayi has spearheaded the rollout of digital banking solutions for internet and mobile platforms, fostered collaborations with payment gateways and fintechs, and recently evaluated advanced cybersecurity tools, including SIEM systems, to establish a Managed Security Operations Center (MSOC) for Philippine Business Bank. He has also assessed fraud management, threat intelligence systems, and cloud versus on-premise infrastructures.

Mitch Bautista

FSI Lead, AWS Philippines

Mitch Bautista is an accomplished IT professional with 17 years of experience in the industry. He is currently an Enterprise Account Director and concurrently the FSI Lead for AWS Philippines. His extensive experience has made him proficient in tackling complex technological challenges and delivering efficient solutions. With a passion for innovation and a track record of successful projects, he continues to be optimistic and excited about the ever-evolving IT landscape that help Philippine enterprises be world class.

Mamerto E. Tangonan

Deputy Governor, Payments and Currency Management Sector, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)

Deputy Governor Mamerto E. Tangonan heads the Payments and Currency Management Sector (PCMS) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), overseeing the interplay between digital money and physical currency to support the country’s financial digital transformation. He ensures the safety and integrity of the Philippine currency and a well-functioning payments and cash ecosystem that fosters long-term growth.

With over 28 years of experience in financial services, telecommunications, technology, financial inclusion, and consulting, DG Tangonan previously led the USAID-funded E-PESO project, accelerating the shift from cash to digital payments and assisting the BSP in implementing the National Retail Payments System (NRPS). His earlier work includes USAID’s Scaling Innovations in Mobile Money in the Philippines, developing a digital finance-enabled agriculture value chain in Tanzania, and securing an e-money license for PT Smart Telecom in Indonesia.

He has supported the Bureau of Internal Revenue in e-payment tax collections and partnered with LGUs to adopt digital disbursements. He also served as General Manager of PT Smart Telecom, Director at Globe Telecom handling GCash mobile banking, and First Vice President at ING Life Insurance (Phils.).

Benito Teehankee

Professor, Department of Management and Organization De La Salle University

Dr. Benito Teehankee is a Full Professor of Management and Organization at De La Salle University’s Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business. His teaching and executive education work spans humanistic management, business analytics, artificial intelligence, corporate governance, critical thinking, corporate social responsibility and sustainable business.

He chairs the Responsible Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Council of the Analytics and AI Association of the Philippines, which developed the Code of Ethics for AI Professionals in 2025. He has also served as founding president of the Philippine eLearning Society and president of the Philippine Society of IT Educators.

Dr. Teehankee is a board member of the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines and chairs the Management Association of the Philippines’ Shared Prosperity Committee. A long-time business and technology columnist, he has received awards from the Catholic Mass Media Awards and FINEX-Deloitte for his contributions to business journalism and corporate governance education in academia.

Alex Escucha

International Resource Director TAB Global

Alexander Calero Escucha is a corporate governance, investor relations and banking professional with more than four decades of experience in financial services, strategic management, communications, technology and risk oversight.

He spent over 27 years with China Banking Corporation, most recently as Senior Vice President and Head of Investor and Corporate Relations. He played a key role in advancing the bank’s corporate governance practices, investor engagement and technology initiatives, contributing to multiple Philippine Stock Exchange and ASEAN governance recognitions. He also served as a director of China Bank Savings, where he supported board governance, compliance, technology oversight and major acquisitions.

Alexander has been an International Resource Director of The Asian Banker since 2006, chairing conference sessions and technology awards programmes across Asia. He is also a fellow of the Foundation for Economic Freedom, an associate member of the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines and a BusinessWorld columnist.

His experience spans board governance, stakeholder relations, banking technology, strategic planning, risk management and institutional communications