SINGAPORE – Lito Villanueva, RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovations and Inclusion Officer, was honored with the “Asia Trailblazer of the Year” award by Retail Banker International at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Villanueva was selected through a rigorous judging process, competing against nearly 40 nominees from over 20 countries. The international award-giving body recognized his outstanding contributions to remarkable banking practices and strategies, as well as his creativity, innovation, and business impact.
Villanueva bannered both the digitalization journey of RCBC and the Philippines, leveraging digital solutions to promote sustainable and inclusive finance. Among his focus are rural and remote areas in the Philippines as well as diaspora communities of Filipinos globally, providing them with access to top-notch digital solutions namely RCBC Pulz, RCBC ATM Go, and RCBC Diskartech. In 2019, Villanueva launched the bank’s massive digitalization journey which was anchored upon its contextual banking strategy that sought to address untapped markets and unbanked Filipinos.
“In an era where digital finance shapes the future, we remain committed to pushing boundaries—making financial services more inclusive, accessible, and impactful. This recognition fuels our resolve to continue innovating for the communities we serve, ensuring that progress leaves no one behind,” Villanueva said.
“Thank you to Retail Banker International and to everyone who believes in the power of digital transformation,” Villanueva added.
The RCBC Executive also manages the banks partnerships with government institutions such as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Commission on Overseas Filipinos (COF), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry, Social Security System, and the Department of Education (DepEd) – executing digital and financial literacy workshops and engagements whilst easing bank onboarding processes for millions of Filipinos.
As a visionary leader in fintech, Villanueva’s influence extends beyond RCBC. He is also the founding chairman of Fintech Alliance PH, overseeing 95% of the nation’s digital retail financial transactions from more than 130 corporate members, and the first global chairman of the South Africa-based Alliance of Digital Finance and FinTech Associations. He is also a permanent council advisor of the ASEAN FinTech Forum. His leadership has significantly shaped the fintech landscape in the Philippines, bridging gaps in financial inclusion and making banking more accessible, efficient, and innovative.
Through his relentless pursuit of digital excellence, Villanueva continues to push the boundaries of financial innovation, ensuring that digital finance remains a key driver of progress and inclusivity in the Philippines and beyond.
