Filipinos can now open their own U.S. virtual bank account — without needing a U.S. address, Social Security number, or residency — through a new partnership between Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and U.S.-based payments network Meridian. The new RCBC Pulz App U.S. Virtual Account gives users direct access to U.S. payment systems, enabling them to receive real-time payments from any U.S. bank straight into their RCBC app.
As the first Philippine bank to offer this capability, RCBC allows customers to open and manage a U.S. virtual account directly within the Pulz app. Funds sent from any U.S. bank reflect instantly in users’ linked RCBC peso accounts, removing the delays, high fees, and complicated processes of traditional cross-border money transfers.
“RCBC has always been about breaking barriers and building bridges, especially for the millions of Filipinos with strong ties abroad,” RCBC President and CEO Reggie Cariaso said. “Through this partnership with Meridian, we are enabling every Filipino — whether a freelancer or an entrepreneur — to connect directly to the U.S. economy. This is financial inclusion made real.”
With an estimated US$36 billion in annual remittances flowing into the Philippines, RCBC’s new offering aims to modernize how Filipinos receive money from the U.S., providing a faster, more transparent, and more cost-efficient alternative to conventional remittance channels.
“Global payments often take hours or even days, with fees taking away from what people actually receive,” said Meridian CEO Will Haering. “By partnering with RCBC, we’re creating a seamless, compliant, and secure bridge that lets Filipinos enjoy the same speed and convenience that U.S.-based users experience locally.”
Unlike typical digital banking products that simply support remittances, the RCBC Pulz U.S. Virtual Account provides direct access to local U.S. payment rails — traditionally reserved for U.S. residents. Users can receive up to US$10,000 per month, enabling more efficient and secure management of cross-border earnings.
“This innovation puts RCBC ahead in the region’s digital banking race,” said RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva. “We’re not just digitizing existing services; we’re redesigning how money moves across borders. This brings us closer to a truly borderless financial ecosystem.”
The initiative also gained support from the government, aligning with the country’s digital transformation agenda.
“This innovation aligns perfectly with the DICT’s mission to build a safe, reliable, and digitally empowered nation anchored on strengthening cybersecurity, ensuring affordable data access, and driving digital innovations that uplift lives,” said Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda.
The timing is significant as more Filipino freelancers, gig workers, and professionals now serve U.S.-based clients, and over four million Filipinos live and work in the United States. The demand for flexible, affordable, and secure ways to receive and manage earnings continues to grow.
Starting November 11, Filipinos can create their U.S. virtual account directly through the RCBC Pulz app, allowing them to receive payments in U.S. dollars and convert them to pesos with the same ease as their regular accounts. Families in the Philippines can also receive support more quickly, without the long waits and conversion losses associated with traditional remittance services.
RCBC has earned wide recognition for its digital-first innovations through platforms such as RCBC Pulz, DiskarTech, and ATM Go, which strengthen financial inclusion nationwide.
“We are proud to partner with RCBC as the first bank bringing this transformative payment innovation to life and making U.S. accounts available across the Philippines,” Haering added. “Our shared vision is to eliminate borders in banking so global payments become local.”
“Banking should move at the speed of life,” Villanueva said. “This partnership with Meridian is more than a new product — it’s a promise to every Filipino that wherever you are in the world, your financial future is within reach.”