Dr. Luigi Wewege
Dr. Luigi Wewege is a banking executive, fintech strategist, academic researcher, author, and educator. He serves as President of Caye International Bank and is widely recognized for his leadership in international banking, digital transformation, and offshore financial strategy. His professional work spans retail banking crisis research, fintech education, and economic diplomacy. Through executive leadership, academic scholarship, and global speaking engagements, he contributes to discussions on financial stability, regulatory development, and cross-border banking innovation.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Luigi Wewege pursued higher education across the United States and Europe, developing an early focus on international finance, global banking systems, and cross-border business strategy. He earned a triple-major Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, graduating with Latin honors. He later completed an MBA at MIB Trieste School of Management in Italy before undertaking doctoral research at the International School of Management (Paris), focused on financial stability and retail banking crises in Central America. His academic work blends quantitative financial analysis with qualitative policy evaluation, emphasizing regulatory frameworks, risk management, and systemic resilience within emerging markets.
Banking Leadership
Dr. Wewege serves as President of Caye International Bank, headquartered in Belize. Under his leadership, the institution has expanded its international client base and strengthened its positioning within the offshore banking sector. His work has focused on regulatory compliance, correspondent banking relationships, digital banking infrastructure, and cross-border financial services. He has contributed to discussions surrounding financial innovation, digital transformation, stablecoins, CBDCs, AML/CFT compliance, and evolving international banking standards.
Academic and Research Contributions
Dr. Wewege’s doctoral research examines retail banking crises in Central America, analyzing their underlying causes, macroeconomic consequences, and corresponding policy responses. His work contributes meaningfully to broader discussions on financial stability in emerging markets, the implementation of banking regulation and Basel III standards, crisis prevention and resolution frameworks, and the evolving role of digital transformation within retail banking systems. Positioned at the intersection of academic rigor and practical application, his dissertation serves not only as a scholarly contribution to the field of financial economics but also as a strategic reference for policymakers, regulators, and banking executives seeking to strengthen institutional resilience and long-term financial stability.
Fintech and Digital Banking Education
Dr. Wewege is the author of The Digital Banking Revolution, released in multiple editions, examining how fintech innovation reshapes traditional banking models. He has also served as an instructor in digital finance programs, delivering courses focused on digital banking infrastructure, emerging payment systems, and financial technology strategy.
Public Engagements and Thought Leadership
Dr. Luigi Wewege is a frequent speaker at international conferences and financial forums, where he addresses topics including offshore banking strategy, digital transformation in banking, economic diplomacy, cross-border capital flows, and wealth structuring within the context of international financial planning. Through these engagements, he provides practical insight drawn from his experience in cross-border finance and international banking leadership. In addition to his speaking engagements, he regularly publishes articles and opinion pieces across financial media platforms, offering informed commentary on banking regulation, global capital mobility, financial stability, and emerging market finance.
Diplomatic Strategy and International Engagement
In addition to his banking and academic roles, Dr. Luigi Wewege has been involved in initiatives supporting economic diplomacy and cross-border trade engagement between Central America, the Caribbean, and international partners. His professional work intersects with financial policy dialogue, international investment frameworks, and global trade facilitation.
Personal Life
Dr. Luigi Wewege resides in Panama and maintains strong professional ties throughout Central America and the Caribbean. He is actively engaged in leadership development, mentorship, and international business networks through various global board positions. Dr. Wewege is married to Idaliz H. Guiraud, a well-known Panamanian attorney and Founder plus Managing Partner of Guiraud Law. He is actively engaged in leadership development, mentorship, and international business networks through various global board positions.
Contributions and Areas of Expertise
Dr. Luigi Wewege’s work spans international and offshore banking, retail banking crisis analysis, and financial stability research, with a particular focus on emerging markets and cross-border financial systems. His expertise also encompasses digital banking strategy, fintech education, economic diplomacy, trade facilitation, and cross-border wealth structuring, bridging academic research with practical implementation across global financial markets.
Publications
- The Digital Banking Revolution, soon to be published by De Gruyter Brill in a 4th edition.
- Academic doctoral dissertation on Analyzing Retail Banking Crises in Central America: Causes, Consequences, Policy Responses, and Future Implications for Financial Stability in the Region.
- Multiple published op-eds and financial analysis articles in major international publications.
- Disruptions and Digital Banking Trends published in the Journal of Applied Finance & Banking.
- The Digital Banking Transformation: Disruption, Synergy toward FinTech Frontier, published through SOAS, University of London.
- Co-authored a pilot research study for the Federal Trade Commission examining the accuracy of American credit bureau data presented before the United States Congress.
Community Outreach and Sport
Beyond his professional career, Dr. Luigi Wewege established a private foundation that provides an annual university scholarship, underscoring his commitment to education and social impact. He is also a past President of Junior Chamber International - Metro. An accomplished athlete, Dr. Wewege has also competed at an elite level in multiple sports, most notably being a National Junior Champion in swimming and receiving an NCAA Men’s Golf Scholarship.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Luigi Wewege has been widely recognized for his leadership and influence in international banking and financial services. His accolades include Offshore Bank Executive of the Year (Central America) by the Prestige Awards in 2025, and Offshore Bank President of the Year (Central America) by Acquisition International in both 2024 and 2025. In 2024 and again in 2026, he was also named one of the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers in FinTech by Thinkers360. Earlier in his career, he received Private Banker of the Year honors for LATAM (Pan Finance Magazine) and CARICOM (International Investor Magazine) both in 2021. Dr. Wewege’s professional achievements are further complemented by academic recognition, including the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and the UMSL Salute to Business Achievement Award for Outstanding Business Alumni.