Digital Transformation Fuels Demand for Hybrid Risk and Compliance Talent

The Philippines’ Banking and Financial Services sector in 2025 was defined by the rapid adoption of AI, GenAI, digital banking, and digital payments. Fintech players expanded aggressively into new product lines, while banks and regulators heightened their focus on operational efficiency, fraud detection, and alternative credit scoring. This created a critical need for talent that can merge traditional domain knowledge with technical expertise.

Samantha Cheblakian, Banking and Financial Services Senior Manager at Robert Walters, explains the immediate impact of these trends:

The Philippines is rapidly adopting AI, GenAI, digital banking, and digital payments. This environment created a growing need for hybrid roles that combine technical and financial expertise, such as risk management with data science or compliance with digital fraud.

Institutions are not just looking for bodies; they are seeking professionals who can bridge the gap between financial domain knowledge and the new digital landscape.

AI Integration and Future-Proofing Roles

AI continues to reshape the industry, with routine, rules-based tasks in areas like operations, compliance, audit, and finance most susceptible to automation. However, AI is not replacing entire roles, but rather changing how work is done, shifting demand towards oversight, strategy, and complex judgement.

To remain relevant, talent must develop a blend of domain expertise, tech fluency, and human-centric capabilities like critical thinking, ethical judgement, and communication. Professionals in banking have also become more cautious and deliberate in their career moves, preferring opportunities that offer clear growth pathways and stability.

Top Sought-After Roles

• Relationship Managers (Corporate & Wealth Banking): Essential for structuring complex solutions as mid-market corporates expand.
• Risk Professionals (Credit, Liquidity, and Market Risk): Needed to assess, model, and mitigate exposure due to new capital adequacy rules and market volatility.
• Legal & Compliance Experts (AI Governance, Cyber Financial Crime): Critical for institutions navigating digital transformation and stringent regulatory reporting.

Retention Advice

Salaries are expected to remain competitive, with notable increases for niche and hybrid roles. To retain top talent, companies must embed these specialised professionals into the core business strategy, involving them early in product development or regulatory planning to foster a sense of ownership and purpose.

Salary Benchmark

Robert Walters’ salary survey offers in-depth analysis of compensation changes, candidate motivations, and key hiring trends for 2026. This is the essential data you need to inform your next career move or talent retention strategy. Learn more: https://www.robertwalters.com.ph/our-services/salary-survey.html