BDO chief becomes first Filipino IMC president 

BDO Unibank Inc. President and CEO Nestor V. Tan’s recent election as the president of the International Monetary Conference (IMC) reflects the bank’s growing influence in the global financial sectors, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

Tan has been elected as the president of the IMC for the 2025–2026 term. The election took place during the organization’s annual gathering in Brussels, Belgium.

“This is recognition of BDO’s consistent performance and growing influence in the regional and global financial sectors,” the SM Group’s banking unit said in a statement released on Tuesday, June 24.

BDO also noted that Tan is the first Filipino to be elected as president of the IMC, and his election “reflects his extensive expertise in banking and finance and affirms his leadership standing in the global banking community.”

The IMC is a non-profit organization composed of chairpersons and chief executives from 58 leading financial institutions across 31 countries.

Past presidents include Johan Thijs, CEO of KBC Group, Belgium (2024–2025); Carlos Torres Vila, chair of BBVA, Spain (2023–2024); and John Dugan, chair of Citigroup, USA (2022–2023).

The IMC was founded in 1954. It has played a “key role in shaping international banking practices and policies,” BDO said.

“It provides a private forum for dialogue among leading commercial banks, central bank governors, senior government officials, and top executives from global financial organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank,” it further said.