Chinabank names Dee chairman emeritus, revamps leadership

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October 9, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — China Banking Corp. (Chinabank) has named longtime director Gilbert Dee as chairman emeritus following his resignation as vice chairman and executive director, while also implementing changes to its board committees and wealth management leadership.

In a disclosure, the Sy-led lender said its board of directors accepted Dee’s resignation effective Oct. 7 and conferred upon him the honorary title of chairman emeritus on the same day.

The appointment recognizes Dee’s 57 years of service to the ban k, including 15 years as vice chairman and 22 years as chairman of the board.

Chinabank said the honorary title was granted in recognition of Dee’s contributions, leadership, guidance and support to the bank over more than five decades.

Following his resignation, Chinabank chairman Hans Sy will continue to chair the executive committee, while Peter Dee, Joaquin Dee and Romeo Uyan Jr. will remain members.

The bank also recalled Dee’s interlocking appointment as chairman of the board of its subsidiary, CBC Properties and Computer Center Inc., effective Oct. 7.

Chinabank said the vacancy on its board resulting from Dee’s resignation would be filled separately.  

“The bank will make the appropriate disclosure upon approval or election of a successor and availability of the relevant information,” it said.

In a separate disclosure, Chinabank announced a series of senior management appointments and organizational changes aimed at strengthening its wealth management operations.

The bank appointed Jonathan Cua as group head of its Wealth Management Group under the Retail Banking Business Segment, with the rank of senior vice president, effective Oct. 8.

Cua brings more than 27 years of experience in private banking and leadership, particularly in managing and expanding wealth portfolios across the Philippines, Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

He previously held senior positions at HSBC Global Private Banking, including senior vice president and Philippine desk head, as well as at BDO Private Bank, where he served as regional head.

His appointment comes as Chinabank integrates its wealth management operations more closely with its retail banking business to improve coordination, expand client coverage and support sustainable growth.

Chinabank also reclassified the responsibilities of two senior officers to reflect expanded organizational structures.

Jose Luis Alcuaz Jr., first vice president II, was designated head of the Customer Experience and Business Process Group, expanding his previous role as head of the Business Process Re-Engineering and Optimization Division.

Mani Thess Peña-Lee, first vice president I, was also designated head of the Institutional and Transaction Advisory Division, following the expansion of the unit into three departments.

According to the bank, the restructuring is intended to strengthen accountability and align legal advisory services more closely with its key business segments.

Both role changes took effect on Oct. 7.