Widely regarded as one of the most influential annual gatherings in the global mobile and technology ecosystem, MWC Barcelona drew more than 110,000 participants from 205 countries this year, convening industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers.

Addressing an international audience, Villanueva presented RCBC’s AI framework anchored on five strategic pillars: trusted data governance, modernization of data and AI platforms, insights-driven monetization, advanced analytics and AI adoption, and democratized enterprise data access.

He emphasized that the strategy is designed to dismantle data silos, accelerate enterprise-wide decision-making, strengthen regulatory compliance, and unlock new digital revenue streams. At the core of this transformation is RCBC’s Enterprise Data Platform, which powers real-time fraud detection, predictive risk modeling, hyper-personalized customer journeys, and AI-augmented workforce productivity.

Villanueva also highlighted RCBC’s deployment of Asia Pacific’s first Huawei Hybrid Cloud Data Platform in banking and the Philippines’ first Hybrid Cloud Enterprise Data Platform in financial services. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with Huawei Enterprise, Keyrus, and Microgenesis Business Systems.

He noted that RCBC’s AI journey gained momentum following discussions at last year’s MWC, where the bank announced its ambition to build a unified enterprise data platform as the foundation for scaled agentic AI.

“At RCBC, we are institutionalizing intelligence, embedding governance, and optimizing lifecycle value to future-proof banking through data,” Villanueva said.

In 2025, RCBC secured its sixth consecutive “Best Bank for Digital” recognition from Euromoney, becoming the first Asia-based bank to hold the distinction for six straight years. The bank continues to expand its digital ecosystem through platforms such as RCBC Pulz, DiskarTech, and ATM Go.

The initiative supports the digital inclusion agenda of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which promotes the use of satellite connectivity to expand financial access in areas with limited or unreliable telecommunications infrastructure.

RCBC ATM Go, the country’s first “kapitbahay ATM,” enables cash withdrawals, deposits, fund transfers, bills payments, remittance collection, and mobile load purchases through partner merchants such as sari-sari stores and rural shops. About a quarter of its nationwide merchant network now operates using Starlink, ensuring reliable service even in remote provinces, including parts of Mindanao.

“Sustainable financial inclusion demands connectivity,” said Lito Villanueva, RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer. “Through satellite-powered ATM Go, we are delivering inclusive digital banking to communities that need it most.”

The bank garnered honors across five categories—Sustainability Communications, Best Use of Digital Assets, Advocacy/Public Awareness/Cause-Related, Best Use of Partnerships, and Financial Communications—underscoring RCBC’s efforts to align strategic communications with national development priorities and evolving consumer needs.

“These recognitions reflect RCBC’s focus on disciplined execution and purposeful customer engagement,” said RCBC President and CEO Reggie Cariaso. “We see communications as a strategic tool to build trust and ensure our initiatives deliver measurable value to customers and communities. They also speak to the consistency of our direction and the strength of our teams.”

The awarded campaigns highlighted how RCBC’s digital platforms, partnerships, and financing solutions help expand access to financial services, promote responsible borrowing, and support the country’s sustainability agenda.

Campaigns recognized for excellence

RCBC ATM Go: Kapitbahay ATM ng Bayan, Tulay ng mga nasa Laylayan
Sustainability Communications

The RCBC ATM Go program was cited for its sustained efforts to bring banking services closer to underserved and remote communities, including beneficiaries of government social programs. By expanding its nationwide footprint, the initiative reinforced the role of agency banking in reducing geographic and socioeconomic barriers to financial access.

Raise the Pulz Rate: Driving Loan Applications through Digital Adoption
Best Use of Digital Assets

This campaign was recognized for leveraging RCBC’s digital channels and data-driven outreach to reshape consumer perceptions of borrowing and accelerate adoption of digital loan services, resulting in a significant increase in digital bookings.

Reframing ‘Utang’: Responsible Digital Borrowing through RCBC Digital Loans
Advocacy/Public Awareness/Cause-Related

C–Tesla partnership was recognized for advancing sustainable mobility by making electric vehicle financing more accessible to Filipinos, supported by a multi-channel awareness campaign aimed at accelerating the adoption of greener transport solutions.

RCBC ATM Go: Driving Digital Banking in Last-Mile Communities
Financial Communications

This campaign highlighted RCBC’s work in expanding digital banking access in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), in partnership with the regional government, helping extend financial services to previously underserved areas.

Organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the Anvil Awards—widely regarded as the “Oscars” of Philippine public relations—recognize outstanding communication programs that demonstrate strategic relevance, creativity, and measurable impact.

RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovations and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva said the recognitions affirm the role of purposeful communication in driving inclusive growth.

“On behalf of RCBC, we thank the Anvil Awards and the PRSP for these commendations,” Villanueva said. “They validate our belief that communications can be a force for inclusion—bridging gaps in access, understanding, and opportunity. These honors reflect the collective effort of our teams to ensure that innovation translates into real-world impact for Filipinos.”

He added that RCBC remains committed to aligning its communication strategies with initiatives that promote sustainable finance, digital adoption, and national development goals.

The bank’s strategy of connecting Filipinos locally and overseas through digital channels delivered robust multi-year results, posting five-year compound annual growth rates of 111.26 percent for DiskarTech, 50.88 percent for RCBC Pulz, and 28.42 percent for ATM Go.

RCBC Pulz, the country’s first digital banking application that allows Filipinos worldwide to open an account using a single international mobile number and one valid government-issued ID, recorded a 59 percent increase in transaction volume and a 48 percent rise in gross transaction value in 2025. Transactions coursed through InstaPay likewise expanded by 59 percent during the year.

DiskarTech, RCBC’s mass-market digital banking platform, continued to scale rapidly. Combined transaction volume from its Basic Deposit Account and Regular Savings Account (RSA) rose by 22 percent. Growth was largely driven by RSAs, which posted a 45,097 percent surge in transaction volume, a 10,362 percent increase in gross transaction value, and an 18,042 percent rise in customer deposits.

The expansion was supported by the rollout of MySSS Mastercard-powered debit card accounts. Comparing daily average user onboarding before the card’s launch from January to September 2025 with the period following its introduction from October to December, DiskarTech account openings jumped by 963 percent.

ATM Go, RCBC’s bank-agnostic, last-mile and community-based automated teller machine network, maintained full nationwide coverage across all Philippine provinces and cities. The platform recorded a 21 percent increase in transaction volume and a 23 percent rise in gross transaction value, reinforcing the bank’s efforts to extend formal banking access to rural and underserved communities.

RCBC also posted strong growth in digital lending. Gross transaction value climbed by 87 percent, while transaction volume increased by 39 percent. Digital loans now account for 65 percent of the bank’s total unsecured loans portfolio, achieved just one and a half years after launch.

“This performance reflects disciplined execution and our focus on using digital channels to deliver practical solutions at scale,” said Lito Villanueva, RCBC executive vice president and chief innovation and inclusion officer. “Our priority remains expanding access, improving efficiency, and ensuring that digital banking creates measurable value for customers, communities, and the broader financial system.”

As the fifth-largest privately owned bank in the Philippines by assets, RCBC continued to strengthen its cross-border banking capabilities, particularly for overseas Filipino workers and migrants requiring efficient international payment and account services.

In 2025, RCBC Pulz partnered with US-based payments solutions provider Meridian to introduce the country’s first US virtual account offered by a private universal bank. The service caters to freelancers, remote workers, outsourced professionals, and digital nomads, allowing them to receive earnings and convert funds into Philippine pesos or any of eight supported foreign currencies directly within the Pulz app.

DiskarTech further advanced its role in inclusive finance after becoming the first digital banking platform studied by Mastercard in relation to sustainable finance developments in Asia. Following the study, RCBC expanded access for Social Security System members through the rollout of the MySSS Mastercard-powered debit card.

The MySSS card has the potential to serve more than 42 million SSS members, enabling retail transactions across the Mastercard network while providing access to MySSS digital services and DiskarTech banking features through a single card and application.

RCBC also expanded ATM Go’s footprint through partnerships with government agencies, including the Department of Tourism. The initiative allows entrepreneurs in rural and tourism-focused areas to earn income by facilitating cash withdrawals for domestic and foreign tourists using internationally issued debit cards. This complements the bank’s continued rollout of QR-enabled cardless withdrawals and the expansion of digital access points through money service business partners nationwide.

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.”

Digital banking solutions, including mobile wallets and e-wallets, have become essential for everyday transactions. These platforms offer convenience, 24/7 access, and minimal transaction fees, enabling consumers to manage their finances in real time.

“As the pioneering virtual credit wallet in the Philippines, Mocasa is focused on helping Filipinos take full advantage of digital finance opportunities,” said Robin Wong, CEO of Mocasa, in a news release. “By embracing fintech tools, consumers can optimize both their savings and expenditures.”

With healthcare costs expected to rise by 18.3% in 2025, families face increased pressure on their budgets. Financial tools, such as quick loans, can help alleviate the burden of unexpected medical expenses.

“Unexpected healthcare expenses can put a significant strain on families, but having access to financial tools can ease the challenge,” Wong said. “Services like quick loans provide temporary relief during emergencies.”

Inflation remains a concern for households, particularly as rising prices continue to impact lower- and middle-income families. Strategic budgeting and adjusting spending habits will be essential for maintaining financial stability.

“Consumers who leverage flexible financial tools can navigate unexpected costs more easily, preventing inflation from derailing their financial goals,” Wong said.

Virtual credit solutions are also gaining popularity as they offer greater flexibility and more manageable repayment terms compared to traditional loans, helping consumers cover expenses without compromising their financial stability.

“Mocasa’s virtual credit wallet helps consumers manage finances with ease, offering loans of up to PHP 25,000 for unforeseen expenses,” Wong said.

At the heart of financial empowerment is literacy. With more Filipinos seeking to improve their financial knowledge, understanding budgeting, saving, and investing has become crucial for long-term financial health.

“Mocasa is committed to helping Filipinos strengthen their financial literacy,” Wong said. “By providing simple, effective financial tools, we empower consumers to make better decisions and secure their financial future.”

As 2025 unfolds, the right financial tools, combined with proactive planning and financial literacy, will enable Filipinos to better navigate an evolving economic landscape. Digital banking and fintech solutions offer Filipinos a chance to enhance their financial well-being and make informed financial decisions.

Mocasa, the Philippines’ first virtual credit wallet, provides access to loans of up to PHP 25,000 to help Filipinos manage unexpected expenses. For more information, visit www.mocasa.com or follow Mocasa on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

This rapid growth continues to underscore the booming preference of Filipinos for an all-in-one digital banking and payments experience. Publicly launched in end-April this year, Maya Bank powers the digital banking services of Maya, the only finance app that cohesively integrates the power of an e-wallet, savings, credit, and crypto in one platform. 

“Financial services need not be complex. This astounding response to our efforts reflects the big opportunity for digital banking in the Philippines,” said Orlando B. Vea, Maya Group CEO and Founder and Co-Founder of Maya Bank. 

 “Filipinos are ready for more progressive digital experiences; that’s why we’ve established ourselves as the country’s leading digital bank app in record time. We’re continuing to strengthen our financial services ecosystem as we bring more innovative services to consumers and enterprises,” said Shailesh Baidwan, Maya Group President and Maya Bank Co-Founder. 

Propelling Maya’s growth is its game-changing customer experience, powered by innovative services, personalized features, and a highly reliable and secure platform. 

“We’re very grateful for the warm response from the market. We’re ushering in a new era of banking, and we’re excited to roll out more innovative and customer-centric digital banking features in Maya that can enrich everyday lives,” said Angelo Madrid, Maya Bank President. 

Changing the game for financial services

Maya’s frictionless experience has changed the game for banking and payments. Through the all-in-one Maya app, customers can efficiently manage their finances and build their funds through their savings accounts. They can also quickly move their money to their e-wallet whenever they need to make a transaction and buy or sell crypto. 

Propelling Maya’s growth are innovative executions of digital banking features. Most recently, Maya introduced a daily interest crediting for Maya Save, allowing bank customers to see their earnings reflected daily in their transaction history instead of monthly. 

It also pioneered mission-led rewards to encourage bank customers to use digital for everyday transactions. Starting October 15, customers can extend their 6% per annum savings interest rate for another 30 days each time they use their Maya app to pay for their bills or for purchases using their Maya QR, card, or mobile number. 

Maya Savings offers a customized money management experience through its Personal Goals feature, in which users can save in up to five different ‘wallets’ catering to specific goals. Each goal comes with set target amounts and timelines for organized tracking, on top of a high-yield 6% per annum interest rate available until December 31, 2022. Daily crediting of the interest earnings will also soon be available for this feature. 

Maya also made bank account opening easier. Upgraded Maya wallet users can easily open a savings account without maintaining a minimum balance. There is no need to sign up for another bank or wallet, submit another set of requirements, or be subjected to the rules of a different provider. Customers can also enjoy free interbank PESOnet transfers until December 31, 2022.

With its rich pool of ready transactional data, Maya is the only digital bank to offer credit products to consumers and small businesses within the first quarter of its launch. Eligible customers can enjoy Maya Credit, an instant revolving line of credit of up to PHP15,000.

Rounding up the top-of-the-line features is Maya’s record of reliability and safety. The Maya app enjoys a 99.94% app uptime rate. Its digital banking services are powered by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)-licensed Maya Bank, and deposits are insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) for up to PHP 500,000.00 per depositor. 

Digital banking is seen to boost financial inclusion and digital adoption in the country. While there are now more Filipinos with a financial account, thanks to the popularity of e-wallets, there is a pent-up need to adopt financial services such as savings and credit. 

According to the BSP 2021 Financial Inclusion Survey, the percentage of adults with savings fell to 37% from 53% in 2019, despite growth in financial account ownership. Meanwhile, most Filipinos still borrow from informal sectors such as friends, family, and loan sharks. 

Maya Bank powers the digital banking experience of consumers and enterprises across the Maya family of products, including the Maya all-in-one app, Maya Business, and Maya Center. For more information, visit mayabank.ph.