It’s official! Edwin Bautista named new PNB CEO

MANILA, Philippines –  Philippine National Bank (PNB) president and director Florido Casuela has resigned from his post effective April 29.

The banking arm of the Lucio Tan Group disclosed on Wednesday that Casuela will be replaced by Edwin Bautista, former president of Union Bank of the Philippines.

According to PNB, Casuela will “take a less active role in the bank and focus on personal businesses.”

This confirms a March 26, 2025 Biz Buzz report that the veteran banker had planned on leaving the country’s eighth largest bank and that Bautista is among those eyed to be his successor.

READ: Biz Buzz: Guess who? PNB president coming soon

For his part, Bautista joins PNB after a 27-year stint at Aboitiz-led Unionbank, where he led the company’s digitalization transition.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed that PNB had P1.2 trillion in assets as of September. Unionbank, meanwhile, had P986.5 billion.

“This impending leadership transition marks a key milestone in PNB’s ongoing strategic transformation,” PNB said in a press statement on Wednesday.

“The board expressed its deep appreciation for Mr. Casuela who skillfully led the bank through the challenges of the post-pandemic period,” the disclosure said.

Casuela will continue to serve PNB in a strategic capacity as board advisor, it added.

“Mr. Bautista brings with him a wealth of experience from Union Bank of the Philippines where he played a pivotal role in driving the bank’s digital transformation and expanding its retail banking. His appointment signals PNB’s commitment to innovation, customercentric banking, and long-term sustainable growth,” the disclosure said.

“PNB remains dedicated to modernizing its operations, enhancing financial services, and strengthening its
subject to his election and qualification as a member of the board,” it added.