Bautista named new PNB president, CEO

MANILA, Philippines — Lucio Tan’s Philippine National Bank (PNB) has announced the appointment of Edwin Bautista as its new president and chief executive officer effective April 29.

Bautista will succeed Florido Casuela, who will continue to serve the bank as a board adviser. PNB said Casuela stepped down to take a less active role in the bank and focus on personal businesses.

The appointment, first reported by The STAR, marks a significant leadership shift for PNB as it continues its strategic transformation.

Bautista’s leadership is expected to further propel PNB’s strategic transformation, ensuring competitiveness in the evolving financial landscape.

Bautista, a seasoned banking executive, brings extensive experience from his 27-year tenure at Union Bank of the Philippines, where he played a crucial role in digital transformation and retail banking expansion.

He stepped down as president of UnionBank in January and resigned as board director of the Aboitiz-led bank on March 26.

Under his leadership, UnionBank became one of the country’s top digitized banks. He also oversaw the successful acquisition and integration of Citibank Philippines’ retail business.

Bautista also served as the head of global transaction banking at Citibank Philippines. He began his career as a brand manager at Procter & Gamble. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from De La Salle University and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

The Tan-led bank said Bautista’s appointment signals PNB’s commitment to innovation, customer-centric banking and long-term sustainable growth.

“Bautista brings with him a wealth of experience from UnionBank, where he played a pivotal role in driving the bank’s digital transformation and expanding its retail banking,” PNB added.

The PNB board of directors expressed gratitude to outgoing CEO Casuela for steering the bank through economic uncertainties and strengthening its market position.

Casuela took the helm of PNB in 2022 following the appointment of then president Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso as president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System.