• Ortiz was recognised for his enduring and illustrious 40-year career in the Philippine banking sector
• Ortiz led UnionBank in its digital transformation journey
• Ortiz continues his thought leadership, advocacy and enjoys a distinguished career as an industry leader 

Justo A. Ortiz, vice chairman of Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), was honoured with the William “Bill” Seidman Award for Lifetime Achievement in Leadership in the Financial Services Industry for 2020 at The Asian Banker Leadership Achievement Award Virtual Ceremony 2020.

Ortiz was recognised for his enduring and illustrious 40-year career in the Philippine banking sector

Ortiz was recognised for his enduring contributions and illustrious 40-year career in the Philippine banking industry. He is an expert in risk management, banking services, and project management.

He has over 25 years of experience in leading one of the country’s top and multi-awarded universal banks. At the age of 35, he became the CEO and chairman of the board at UnionBank in 1993.

He committed himself to the transformation of the bank into a leading digital institution. UnionBank is now one of the largest and most trusted banks in the Philippines known for its pioneering online banking services.

Ortiz is noted for the boldness of his vision and the constancy of his purpose and passion that serves to inspire both present and future generations of bankers. 

Before joining UnionBank, he also served Citibank for more than 10 years as managing partner for Global Finance and country executive for Investment Banking. 

Ortiz led UnionBank in its digital transformation journey

Ortiz has long envisioned UnionBank at the forefront of technology-based banking in the Philippines and, true to his conviction, he has endeavoured relentlessly to realise it. Because of the efforts made under his leadership, UnionBank is regarded today as a leading digital bank, offering delivery of online, real-time and highly secured business solutions to its customers, with the bold vision to serve 50 million retail and one million SME customers.

In January 2018, he announced his decision to step down as CEO. Nevertheless, he continues to lead UnionBank in its digital transformation journey towards the goal of transforming the bank into a technology company with banking capabilities.

Ortiz continues his thought leadership, advocacy and enjoys a distinguished career as an industry leader

Ortiz continues his thought leadership and advocacy by spreading the message on innovation and financial inclusion. At the Consensus 2018 in New York City, an annual blockchain technology summit, he presented Project i2i, a blockchain-based project to connect institutions across islands towards enabling greater financial inclusion. This comes among other notable engagements across Asia, Europe and North America.

In addition, he continues to enjoy a distinguished career as an industry leader. Since 2017, he has served as the first chairman of the Philippine Payments Management Inc. – a critical component of the Philippines' National Retail Payment System Framework. Concurrently, he also chairs the Fintech Philippines Association, the Blockchain Association of the Philippines, and is co-founder and chairman of Tech Up Pilipinas.

Ortiz in his acceptance speech said, “The present no longer brings us to the future, but rather, it is this unknown future. Imagine that we'll create our new present. We embrace this uncertainty and unpredictability at UnionBank by living our purpose. Our purpose is to elevate lives, fulfil dreams, and enable communities through smart banking in the spirit of Ubuntu (community-building)”.

For video of the Leadership Dialogue and Leadership Achievement Awards Virtual Ceremony, please click here.

About William “Bill” Seidman Award for Lifetime Achievement in Leadership in the Financial Services Industry 

The William “Bill” Seidman Award for Lifetime Achievement in Leadership in the Financial Services Industry is presented in memory of Bill Seidman, the chairman of the US Federal Depository Insurance Corporation from 1985-1991. He was also the founding chairman of the Resolution Trust Corporation of the US. Seidman was a regular guest at The Asian Banker Summit since 2001. He was a member of the advisory council that selected the winners for the Leadership Awards. The Asian Banker inaugurated this award in 2010 with the blessings of his family.

The William “Bill” Seidman Award for Lifetime Achievement in Leadership in the Financial Services Industry recognises individuals who reshaped not only the institutions that they worked for but the entire financial services industry in their respective countries and regions. The Asian Banker seeks to honour people who are considered giants in the industry because of their lifetime contributions and leadership. This is the most prestigious of the achievement awards as it acknowledges those who have distinguished their reputations, skills and achievements over a lifetime, setting the benchmark from which others are assessed. Lifetime leadership winners who have been feted in the past have made considerable contributions to the building of institutions that have gone from strength to strength and in some cases have created an entire industry in their respective countries.