Nestor Villanueva Tan, born on February 26, 1958, in Manila, is the President and CEO of BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank by assets, loans, deposits, and resources. He is widely recognized for his strategic vision, operational discipline, and ability to drive sustained growth and innovation in the financial sector.
Tan earned his Bachelor of Commerce from De La Salle University and went on to complete a Master’s in Business Administration at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He began his banking career internationally, working with Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh, Bankers Trust in New York, and the Barclays Group in New York and London, where he eventually became Chief Operating Officer of BZW, the investment banking subsidiary. These experiences shaped his global perspective on banking operations, risk management, and client relations.
Since joining BDO, Tan has assumed a wide range of leadership roles across the Group. He serves as chairman of BDO Strategic Holdings, BancNet, One Network Bank, and the RBB Micro Finance Foundation, while also holding vice chairmanships and directorships in BDO Capital & Investment Corporation, BDO Leasing and Finance, BDO Insurance Brokers, BDO Private Bank, BDO Remit, and SM Keppel Land. Additionally, he serves as trustee or director of several institutions, including the BDO Foundation, De La Salle University Board of Advisors, and the Asian Institute of Management. Throughout his tenure, Tan has emphasized digitalization, scale, and collaboration as key drivers of competitiveness, advocating for innovation and efficiency in both Philippine and ASEAN banking.
Under his leadership, BDO and Tan himself have received numerous accolades. He was named Banking CEO of the Year in Asia by the International Banker Awards in 2019, recognized as Best Executive in the Philippines by Asiamoney in 2015, and awarded Asia’s Best CEO by Corporate Governance Asia. He has also received the CEO Excel Award from the International Association of Business Communicators and led his team to the KPMG Executive Leadership Team of the Year honor from Asia CEO Awards.
Colleagues describe Tan as a thoughtful, analytical, and collaborative leader, known for his calm demeanor and understated humor. He places high value on mentorship, corporate responsibility, and continuous learning, reflecting a belief that a leader’s true legacy is measured not only by organizational success but by the people he develops.
