RCBC executive vice president and chief innovations and inclusion officer Lito Villanueva recently received the “Asia Trailblazer of the Year” award from the Retail Banker International held at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. A leader in the nation’s efforts in financial technology, Villanueva edged out nearly 40 nominees from over 20 countries for the honor.
The international award-giving body selected Villanueva through a rigorous judging process that involved assessing a highly competitive pool of close to 40 nominees from over 20 countries, and their contributions to “remarkable banking practices and strategies,” as well as their creative thinking, 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 remote rural areas in the Philippines, as well as providing Filipinos abroad with access to top-notch digital solutions such as RCBC Pulz, RCBC ATM Go and RCBC Diskartech.
In 2019, Villanueva launched the bank’s massive digitalization journey which was anchored on an innovative banking strategy that sought to reach 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,” he added.
The RCBC executive also oversees and manages the bank’s partnerships with government institutions such as the Department of Migrant Workers, Commission on Overseas Filipinos, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, Social Security System and the Department of Education.
Through these partnerships, RCBC has been conducting digital and financial literacy workshops, and easing bank onboarding processes for millions of Filipinos.
As a visionary leader in financial technology (fintech), Villanueva’s influence extends beyond RCBC. He is also the founding chairman of FinTech Alliance PH, overseeing 95 percent 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 the ASEAN Region.
