JEF LACSON

I am a results-driven CFO with nearly 20 years of experience leading financial transformation, governance, and capital strategies across Asia’s financial services and fintech sectors. 

Currently, I serve as Chief Financial Officer of UnionDigital Bank, helping lead the bank’s strategic pivot—derisking and rebuilding the lending portfolio, strengthening governance frameworks, and helping drive capital-raising efforts to secure long-term sustainability.

My leadership track record spans regional and country-level CFO roles at Pacific Cross International, AIG, QBE, and Nat-Re, built on a career foundation in risk and technology advisory at KPMG.

CORE IMPACT AREAS:

🚀 Turnaround & Portfolio Rebuilds: Designed and executed derisking strategies across lending and insurance portfolios, restoring stability while setting the foundation for sustainable growth.

🏛 Capital & Governance: Structured and executed capital-raising initiatives, reinforced board governance, and implemented financial controls across multi-market entities.

📉 Operational & Financial Transformation: Managed complex financial remediations and strategic cost optimizations, unlocking millions in savings and restoring capital health. Stabilized critical operations by eliminating historical backlogs and driving double-digit growth in investible funds.

🌏 Complex Standards Adoption: Spearheaded the multi-market transition to IFRS 17 across Asia (Philippines, Thailand, Samoa), orchestrating the full lifecycle from impact assessment to system go-lives.

🌐 Regional Scope: Oversaw finance and compliance operations across the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, and the British Virgin Islands.

AWARDS & CREDENTIALS:

🏆 Gold Stevie® Award for Innovative Achievement in Finance (Asia Pacific, 2026)

🏆 Top CFOs You Should Follow (New in Asia, 2025)

🏆 Top 10 Best CFOs in Asia (TradeFlock, 2023)

🏆 Young Guns (Insurance Business Asia, 2020)

🏆 Young Entraprofessional Award (Professionals of the Future Philippines, 2018)

I also hold multiple professional certifications (CPA, CISA, CIA, ASEAN CPA, FICD, CLSSGB) and a Master’s in Business Economics with a thesis on Insurtech, underscoring my commitment to financial innovation.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Chief Financial Officer, UnionDigital Bank (Dec 2024 – Present)

• Regional Deputy CFO, Controller & Compliance Officer – Asia, Pacific Cross International (Jan 2021 – Dec 2024)

• Senior Vice President & CFO – Philippines, Guam & Micronesia, AIG (Mar 2018 - Feb 2021)

• VP & Chief Financial & Regulatory Compliance Officer, QBE (Mar 2017 - Mar 2018)                     

• Vice President & Head of Finance, Accounting & Administration, Nat-Re (Jul 2015 - Mar 2017)

• Senior AVP & Head of Transformation - Projects & Support Office, Nat-Re (Aug 2014 - Jul 2015)

• AVP & Head of Internal Audit / Chief Audit Executive, Nat-Re (Nov 2010 - Aug 2014)

• Associate Manager - Risk Advisory / Performance & Technology, KPMG (Jun 2006 - Nov 2010) 

EDUCATION

• Master’s Degree, Business Economics - 2021, University of Asia and the Pacific

• Certificate Program, Management Development for Young ASEAN Insurance Managers - 2016, ASEAN Insurance Council

• Certificate Program, Insurance Management Development - 2013, Insurance Institute of Asia and the Pacific

• Bachelor of Science, Accountancy (2005), San Sebastian College

Get in touch at  📩 jef@lacson.co | 🌐 linkedin.com/in/jrlacson