BDO chief named first Pinoy president of international banking group

MANILA, Philippines —  BDO Unibank Inc. president and CEO Nestor Tan has been elected president of the International Monetary Conference (IMC) for the 2025 to 2026 term, becoming the first Filipino to hold the prestigious post in the organization’s 70-year history.

Tan’s election took place during the IMC’s annual meeting held recently in Brussels, Belgium.

The IMC is a highly exclusive, non-profit group composed of chairpersons and chief executives from 58 of the world’s largest financial institutions across 31 countries.

It serves as a private forum where top banking leaders engage in dialogue with central bank governors, finance ministers, and officials from international institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

Past IMC presidents include Johan Thijis of KBC Group (Belgium), Carlos Torres Vila of BBVA (Spain) and John Dugan of Citigroup (US).

Tan’s appointment is seen as a major milestone for the Philippine banking sector, reflecting not only his personal expertise and stature in global finance but also BDO’s consistent performance and growing presence in the international banking arena.

Founded in 1954, the IMC continues to help shape global banking practices and regulatory frameworks through behind-the-scenes conversations among top leaders in finance and economic policy.

Tan’s leadership at BDO, currently the country’s largest bank in terms of assets, has been widely recognized for steering the institution through periods of robust growth and market volatility. His new international role underscores the confidence of the global banking community in his vision and leadership.

BDO posted a net income of P19.7 billion in the first quarter, marking a 6.5-percent increase from P18.5 billion in the same period last year.