The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has appointed Maria Cristina “Ginbee” Go as its next president and chief executive officer, making her the first woman to lead the Philippine bank in its 175-year history.
Go will succeed Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco, with the transition scheduled to take effect on 26 April 2027, following the bank’s annual stockholders’ meeting and subject to regulatory approval.
She currently serves as BPI’s executive vice president and head of consumer banking, overseeing its retail banking operations, digital platforms and consumer financial products. She has spent more than two decades with the bank, holding several senior leadership positions.
Before leading consumer banking, Go served as president of BPI Family Savings Bank, where she oversaw its integration with BPI. She also led the bank’s payments and unsecured lending businesses, contributing to the development of its consumer financial services.
Her career before joining BPI included roles at Citibank Philippines, Ayala Land and Procter & Gamble. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines Diliman with a degree in business administration and accountancy and earned an MBA with honours from Harvard Business School.
Under her leadership, BPI’s consumer banking business has pursued a strategy combining physical branches with digital services. The bank has also expanded its digital banking capabilities and developed services aimed at improving customer access and convenience.
BPI chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala announced the succession plan to employees on 22 October, describing the appointment as part of the bank’s long-term leadership transition. Go will also join the Ayala Group Management Committee when she assumes the role.
Limcaoco will remain a member of BPI’s board of directors after stepping down as president and CEO. He is also expected to take on senior governance responsibilities at other Ayala Group companies, with further details to be announced.
Founded in 1851, BPI is one of the Philippines’ largest financial institutions, providing retail and corporate banking, lending, asset management, insurance and other financial services.
