Billease banking arm rebrands, elects Eduardo G. Bobier as Independent Director
Eduardo G. Bobier. Photo: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
MANILA, Philippines, September 22, 2026 — Rural Bank of Sta. Maria (Ilocos Sur), Inc. (RBSM), the banking arm of Billease, has officially been renamed Billease Bank, Inc. (A Rural Bank). Its Board of Directors has also elected Eduardo G. Bobier, former Deputy Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), as an Independent Director, subject to confirmation by the BSP.
The rebrand builds on the Bank’s tradition of serving its community since September 1969. With Billease’s resources and technology, it aims to expand access to responsible financial services for more Filipinos.
A unified brand to serve more Filipinos
“A unified brand allows us to offer a more complete suite of financial products — from credit to savings and deposits — under one roof, helping more Filipinos build stronger financial futures,” said Georg Steiger, CEO and Co-Founder of Billease.
The Bank is preparing to roll out a new suite of banking products, including savings and deposit accounts, integrated with the Billease app.
More than three decades of central banking experience
Mr. Bobier brings more than three decades of experience in central banking, treasury operations, and corporate governance to the Board. He most recently served as Deputy Governor of the Corporate Services Sector at the BSP, where he oversaw control, budget, and administrative functions for the country’s central monetary authority.
His earlier BSP roles included Assistant Governor and Managing Director of the Comptrollership Sub-sector, as well as senior posts within the BSP Treasury Department, including Chief Investment Analytics Officer and Chief Reserve Management Officer.
Throughout his BSP career, he chaired or served on several institutional committees, including the BSP Budget Committee, the BSP Performance Review Committee, the BSP Foreign Travel Committee, and the BSP Provident Fund Board. He also represented the BSP on external bodies such as the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Inc. and the Philippine Guarantee Corporation Board.
Strengthening governance for the next chapter
Mr. Bobier’s election reflects the Bank’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its governance framework as it grows within the Billease ecosystem. His background in central bank oversight, financial comptrollership, and institutional risk management is expected to support the Board’s governance and risk oversight functions, consistent with the responsibilities of an Independent Director under Philippine banking regulations.
“This is an important milestone for our institution as we adopt the Billease Bank name and continue building a stronger, more resilient organization,” said Dennis Valdes, President and CEO of Billease Bank. “As one unified brand, we’re better positioned to bring relevant, responsible financial services to more Filipinos and support their financial wellness. Mr. Bobier’s decades of experience in central banking, treasury, and institutional oversight will be a valuable addition to our Board as we strengthen our governance framework and support our long-term growth.”
About Billease Bank
Billease Bank, Inc. (A Rural Bank), formerly Rural Bank of Sta. Maria (Ilocos Sur), Inc., is the banking arm of Billease. Founded in September 1969, the Bank has served its community for over five decades and was acquired by Billease’s parent company as part of the group’s expansion from consumer finance into banking.
Since the acquisition, the Bank has undertaken a broad transformation program, including the establishment of new governance committees, strengthened risk and compliance processes, and modernization of its core banking systems, supported by a targeted capitalization of more than ₱1 billion by end-2026.
Learn more about Billease Bank.
About Billease
Founded in 2017 and operated by First Digital Finance Corporation, Billease is a Philippine consumer finance and buy-now-pay-later platform on a mission to expand access to affordable, responsible credit. Billease combines proprietary underwriting technology with a growing merchant network to serve the country’s emerging middle class and is backed by investors including TPG’s The Rise Fund, Burda Principal Investments, and Seawood. Its Board is chaired by former Philippine Secretary of Finance Jose Isidro “Lito” Camacho.