Visa has announced that Jeff Navvaro will be the new country manager for the Philippines and Guam. The appointment comes after Navvaro’s almost decade-long stint with multinational financial services company Western Union. 

Navarro joins the digital payments platform after working as Western Union’s regional vice-president for Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indochina. Previously, he was also president and chairman of the board of Western Union Processing Services Inc.

Navarro will be taking over from Dan Wolbert, who has moved to a brand new role in Visa’s North American operations.

“I am excited and honoured to have the opportunity to lead a team of seasoned professionals, who share the drive and passion to further widen financial inclusion for all Filipinos,” the payments industry veteran said.

“I look forward to working closely with our clients, fintechs, the regulator, and all stakeholders to grow digital payments in the country, and enable individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive,” he added.

Navarro began his career as a consultant at Accenture, before working in sales, brand, and business development roles in Smart Communications Inc. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.

“Jeff and the team will drive our business agenda with clients, consumers, and regulators in the Philippines and Guam, in line with our purpose to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid,” Visa Group’s country manager for regional Southeast Asia Tareq Muhmood said.

Visa is a multinational financial services corporation and among the most valuable companies in the world. With its headquarters in San Francisco, California, Visa facilitates electronic transfer of funds across the world. This is done mostly via credit cards, debit cards and prepaid cards of the Visa brand.