Lynette V. Ortiz, a United Nations leadership awardee and first Filipino chief executive officer of London-based Standard Chartered Bank, was sworn in Wednesday as the new president and chief executive officer of the Land Bank of the Philippines or LandBank.

The event was conducted by Finance Secretary and LandBank chairperson Benjamin Diokno, officially confirming Ortiz as the eleventh president of LandBank. She succeeded Cecilia Borromeo who served the bank for four years.

“I recognize the highly important role of LandBank in nation-building, and I am keen to contribute and infuse ideas and innovations that will further fortify the bank in fulfilling its social mandate. I hope to bring in a fresh perspective drawn from my experience working in global organizations,” Ortiz said.

Inclusion advanced

She vowed to advance financial inclusion and key agricultural sectors in the country.

“With the support of the entire LandBank team, we will work to make our operations more dynamic and responsive to address the changing needs of our highly diverse customers and stakeholders, while remaining viable and competitive,” Ortiz said.

In her over 30-year career in finance, Ortiz earned the opportunity to lead the Standard Chartered Bank or SCB Philippines as chief executive officer starting 2016.

She increased local franchises for various client segments and ensured sustainable financial performance.

She also became an awardee for United Nations Philippine Women’s Empowerment Principles Awards Champion for Leadership Commitment in 2021.

Currently, she is the First Vice President in the Board of the Bankers Association of the Philippines and a member of its Executive Committee.

Ortiz will meet the rest of the LandBank team  next week to detail her plans for the agricultural bank.