Ex-Security Bank veteran to take helm of PBCOM

MANILA, Philippines – Lucio Co-led Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCOM) has named former Security Bank executive John Cary L. Ong as its next president and chief executive officer, marking a leadership transition after more than a decade under incumbent chief Patricia May T. Siy.

In a disclosure on Wednesday, PBCOM said Ong was appointed president and CEO-designate by its board and will formally assume the post after completing a minimum three-month transition period and securing the necessary regulatory approvals.

READ: Lucio Co’s PBCOM achieves universal bank status

Until then, Siy will continue to head the bank before moving to its board.

Ong brings 30 years of banking experience to the role. He most recently served as executive vice president and head of the wholesale banking segment at Security Bank, where he oversaw corporate banking, deposits, asset business and other key units.

READ: Security Bank 2025 profit up 3% to a record high P11.6B

Before that, he held senior positions at UnionBank, Citibank and Deutsche Bank across transaction banking, cash management, corporate banking, treasury and trade solutions.

PBCOM credited Siy, who completed 11 years with the bank this June and has served as president and CEO since 2015, with strengthening the lender’s core business through investments in people, products, technology and risk management.

Under her leadership, the bank posted a record P2.5 billion net income in 2025, paid its first cash dividend in 27 years, regained its universal banking license in 2023 and earned Forbes Asia’s Best Under a Billion recognition in both 2024 and 2025. /pai INQ