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RCBC takes proactive steps amid challenging economic environment

by Contributor July 2, 2026

written by Contributor

RIZAL Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) is entering the second half of 2026 from a position of deliberate strength, while taking proactive steps to protect its balance sheet ahead of a more challenging macroeconomic environment.

RCBC President and CEO Reginaldo Anthony B. Cariaso said that to prepare for a more volatile rate and credit environment, RCBC has been taking pre-emptive action on multiple fronts.

“My objective remains the same – to protect, scale, and elevate the strong franchise that is RCBC,” Cariaso said during the bank’s 2026 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held on Monday.

Cariaso said the bank systematically reduced the average duration of its investment securities portfolio from 7.3 years in 2021 to 3.5 years as of the first quarter of 2026, providing a structural buffer against the capital impact of projected interest rate hikes.

The bank also executed sharp credit portfolio actions, decreasing credit lines in high-risk segments and introducing the CARE Program – an analytics-driven collections initiative for auto and housing loan clients designed to engage customers proactively before they hit financial stress.

On the funding side, RCBC locked in favorable rates ahead of the current hawkish cycle through three major capital market issuances, including USD 350 million in offshore sustainability notes at 5.375 percent in January 2025, P12.21 billion in Series F ASEAN Sustainability Bonds in July 2025, and P20.5 billion in Series G bonds at 6.08 percent in April 2026. These issuances diversified the bank’s funding base and structurally lowered its cost of funds ahead of tightening market conditions.

The bank’s consolidated gross NPL stands at 4.8%, where corporate lending, its largest segment, carries a gross NPL ratio of 2.7% and consumer NPL remains below industry averages. Cariaso also acknowledged the near-term pressures on asset quality in its smallest SME segment, which is undergoing an operational overhaul to remediate its NPL.

“We are navigating a complex and shifting macroeconomic landscape. However, we have been building up our defenses, locking in strategic wins, and fundamentally reshaping our balance sheet to drive sustainable, high-quality growth,” he added.

July 2, 2026 0 comments

Business

RCBC is sole Asian bank recognized in global whitepaper on financial health and inclusion

by Contributor April 28, 2026

written by Contributor

MANILA, Philippines – Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) has been recognized in a global financial health whitepaper released by Mastercard, highlighting the bank’s leadership in advancing digital inclusion and customer engagement.

The report, Pathways to Financial Health, analyzed consumer behavior, financial access, and usage patterns across multiple markets using pseudonymized transaction data, consumer insights, and financial health indicators.

RCBC stood out as the only bank in Asia featured in the global study, alongside Access Bank Plc, Banreservas, and Nubank.

At the center of RCBC’s inclusion strategy is its digital banking platform DiskarTech, which was cited as a case study for driving meaningful financial engagement. The report found that 61 percent of DiskarTech users progressed beyond basic banking within six months, fueled by gamified features and incentive-based design. It also noted that clients with both credit cards and digital accounts demonstrated higher bill payment activity, while referrals emerged as a key growth driver, with 38 percent of users opening accounts through peer recommendations.

Lito Villanueva, RCBC executive vice president and chief innovation and inclusion officer, said the findings reinforce the impact of purpose-driven digital innovation.

“This validates our approach of building solutions that go beyond access to drive real usage, financial capability, and long-term inclusion. The goal is not just to onboard, but to empower every Filipino to actively participate in the financial system,” Villanueva said.

RCBC president and CEO Reggie Cariaso emphasized that financial health is becoming a defining measure of banking success.

“Financial inclusion today is all about enabling better financial outcomes; not just access. We are committed to leveraging data, technology, and partnerships to build a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem where no Filipino is left behind,” he said.

RCBC continues to strengthen its position as a leader in inclusive digital finance, demonstrating how innovation, when anchored on trust and relevance, can drive both growth and meaningful impact.

April 28, 2026 0 comments

Uncategorized

RCBC profits up by 20% in H1 2025

by Nova Mae Francas August 8, 2025

written by Nova Mae Francas

THE RIZAL Commercial Banking Corporation achieved in the first half of 2025 an unaudited consolidated net income of P5.3 billion, which is up by 20% from the same period in 2024.

RCBC president and CEO Reggie Cariaso attributed the significant increase to the bank’s core business growth, posting a 33% increase in net interest income with a Net Interest Margin (NIM) of 4.57% up from 3.71%.

The core business expansion was primarily driven by a 14% increase in the customer loan portfolio, with consumer lending contributing the highest uplift at 38%.

Credit cards and personal loans, on the other hand, grew by 47%; auto loans by 46% and housing loans by 24%. This is through the effective cross-selling initiatives supporting the strong momentum across all segments of the consumer portfolio.

RCBC Online Banking and RCBC Pulz, two of the bank’s digital finance solutions, augmented RCBC’s loan and income growth, as they cater to a wider range of customers.

“Our investments in our digital platforms have made banking more intuitive, more accessible, and a broader range of customers are starting to pay off with digital transactions,” Cariaso said during the Media Roundtable at Dusit Thani, Davao City, on Aug. 6.

As the bank continues to expand its digital user base, the digital transaction volumes have increased beyond 28%.

Cariaso reported that RCBC is the first bank in Asia to win Euromoney’s “Best Bank for Digital” award 6 years in a row.

This is among 23 other accolades that RCBC has won since January, recognizing the bank’s excellence in digital banking, customer service and financial inclusion among others.

“We’re going to make data-driven decision-making a core part of our way of doing things, so that we can make intelligent and resourceful decisions when we engage our clients. We’re investing in ways that we can understand our clients and get all their financial needs met through RCBC,” Cariaso added.

RCBC’s capital position remains strong at P163 billion, posting a 7% increase in line with increased earnings. The bank’s capital ratios are sufficiently buffered at 16.21% CAR and 13.71% CET1.

August 8, 2025 0 comments