BIZ BUZZ: Passing the deal book at BDO
One of the country’s busiest dealmakers appears to be sketching out the next chapter of succession at BDO Unibank Inc.’s investment banking arm.
In a disclosure, the Sy-led bank said Rodolfo Mariano Marquez-Lim “Dino” Siason would join as executive vice president and be seconded to BDO Capital & Investment Corp. starting July 27.
That seemingly routine appointment, however, came with a louder subtext in earlier disclosures: Siason has been identified as the successor to longtime BDO Capital president Eduardo Francisco—arguably one of the most recognizable names in Philippine investment banking.
Francisco himself confirmed the transition plans, although he clarified that retirement is not exactly on the table yet.
“Siason will be my successor but not retiring. We just wanted to have succession planning but will guide him then can take on other roles in BDO Capital or parent bank,” Francisco said in a message shared with Biz Buzz.
“No timetable yet. Siason will first serve as my deputy and identified successor. I will defer to Nestor Tan and Tessie Sy on the timing and on what role I will take afterward. I can become a senior banker helping the group originate deals and possibly join subsidiary boards,” he added.
Still, the move is already being watched closely in banking circles, given Francisco’s outsized role in some of the country’s biggest equity and debt deals over the years.
His eventual successor is hardly a lightweight.
Before joining the BDO group, Siason served as chief executive officer and chief country officer of Deutsche Bank AG’s Manila branch, overseeing its corporate and investment banking franchise in the Philippines.
His resume also includes stints at Citibank across Manila, Singapore and parts of Europe, covering corporate banking, capital markets and institutional relationships.
In other words, BDO Capital is not exactly handing the keys to an outsider unfamiliar with big-ticket deals.
The bigger question now is timing.
For now, Francisco remains firmly in the picture—just perhaps with one eye already on the next generation holding the deal book.
Also joining the BDO group is Ismael Alinsod Pili, who was appointed senior vice president for investor relations effective May 18.
Pili brings nearly three decades of experience in regional capital markets, having previously worked with HSBC, CreditSights, J.P. Morgan and Macquarie Capital Securities, among others.
Looks like BDO is not just planning for succession—it is also deepening the bench.
******
Get real-time news updates: inqnews.net/inqviber
