Lilian Díaz-Bento serves as Executive Vice President and Business Group Director at FIRST BANCORP, the parent company of FirstBank Puerto Rico, where she oversees strategic operations across key business segments including commercial banking, wealth management, and digital innovation. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Díaz-Bento began her career at a leading Puerto Rican financial institution, progressing through roles in retail banking, risk management, and corporate lending. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Puerto Rico and an MBA from the University of Miami, which equipped her with a strong foundation in financial strategy and leadership. Throughout her tenure at FIRST BANCORP, Díaz-Bento has been instrumental in driving transformative initiatives, such as the successful launch of the bank’s digital transformation roadmap, which enhanced customer engagement and boosted online transaction volumes by 40% within two years. Her leadership in navigating the institution through economic challenges, including the aftermath of hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic, earned her the Puerto Rico Bankers Association’s Executive of the Year award in 2022. Under her direction, the business group has achieved consistent double-digit growth in revenue and expanded market share in underserved segments. In her current role, Díaz-Bento champions inclusive financial solutions tailored to small and medium enterprises, fostering sustainable growth across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her visionary approach emphasizes innovation, regulatory compliance, and community impact, positioning FIRST BANCORP as a resilient leader in the Caribbean banking landscape. Díaz-Bento is also actively involved in industry forums and serves on the board of several nonprofit organizations dedicated to economic development.