Ana Maria Aboitiz-Delgado rises among Asia’s women leaders

Ana Maria Aboitiz-Delgado rises among Asia’s women leaders | Daily Tribune

Fortune’s annual list, now in its 28th year, evaluates women based on measurable impact, strategic reach and their capacity to shape the future. This year, a new scoring system emphasized CEOs and succession leaders who are actively redefining industries. For Delgado, the recognition reflects not just her personal achievements but also her transformative role in the Philippine banking sector, where she has championed digital innovation and customer-centered growth.

Career journey and achievements

Delgado assumed UnionBank’s top post in January, succeeding Edwin Bautista after 17 years with the bank. A fifth-generation member of the Aboitiz family, she first joined UnionBank in 2008 as a product manager in the Retail Banking Center, after a stint as assistant vice president for Product Management at Citibank N.A.

Over nearly two decades, she advanced through multiple leadership roles, including head of SME Banking, head of Cards Business, and executive vice president, driving initiatives that would later define her tenure as CEO.

Under her leadership, UnionBank has embraced digital transformation as a cornerstone of its strategy.

Delgado has overseen the enhancement of mobile banking platforms, the streamlining of customer interfaces and the integration of advanced fintech solutions, reinforcing UnionBank’s reputation as a next-gen bank.

She also played a central role in the acquisition of Citibank N.A.’s local consumer business, a strategic move that expanded UnionBank’s footprint and strengthened its competitive position in the Philippines.

The results of these initiatives are tangible. In 2024, UnionBank reported $1.8 billion in revenue, marking a 5 percent increase from the previous year, and a 31 percent rise in profits to P12 billion.

Such performance underscores Delgado’s ability to align innovation with profitability, demonstrating the kind of impact that Fortune considers when recognizing business leaders on its Asia list.

Recognition, personal values

Delgado’s recognition is not her first. She was previously named among Tatler Asia’s Most Influential in the Philippines in 2021, 2023 and 2024.

In 2020, she received the Agora Award for Outstanding Achievement in Marketing Management from the Philippine Marketing Association and was recognized as a Promising Young Banker by The Asian Banker.

Yet, it is Fortune’s 2025 acknowledgment that positions her as a rising force not only nationally but across Asia.

A clear focus on customer experience marks her leadership. Delgado has consistently emphasized that technology in banking is a tool to serve people better, not an end in itself. From revamping loan processing to simplifying credit card services, her initiatives aim to make banking more accessible, intuitive, and responsive to the needs of a rapidly evolving market.

Delgado’s accomplishments are grounded in her personal and professional values. Raised in Cebu, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Painting at Boston College, reflecting a lifelong affinity for creativity.

She later earned an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business, a combination of education that informs her holistic approach to leadership — one that balances analytical rigor with creative problem-solving.

Beyond UnionBank, she remains deeply connected to her family’s legacy of corporate social responsibility, community development, and ethical business practices.

At a time when digital transformation is reshaping banking across Asia, Delgado’s recognition by Fortune underscores her role as a trailblazer for women leaders and a driver of innovation in the Philippine financial sector.

Her journey — from a product manager to the CEO of one of the country’s most progressive banks — illustrates the impact of visionary leadership grounded in purpose, innovation, and customer focus.

As she steers UnionBank into the future, Delgado exemplifies the qualities Fortune seeks in its Most Powerful Women: influence, foresight, and measurable impact.

Her story is not only a personal achievement but a testament to the Philippines’ growing presence in the global business arena, and a beacon for young women aspiring to leadership in traditionally male-dominated industries.

In celebrating her inclusion on Fortune’s 2025 list, the banking sector recognizes a leader whose strategic vision, dedication to innovation, and commitment to people-centered growth are redefining what it means to lead in the digital age. Ana Aboitiz-Delgado is not just leading a bank — she’s charting the future of Philippine finance on the world stage.