Visa, a global digital payments company, has signed a debit partnership with Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), one of the largest universal banks in the Philippines, allowing RCBC customers to use Visa’s payment network at millions of merchant locations in-store and online through Visa debit cards.
The partnership allows RCBC clients to pay directly from their bank accounts using Visa debit credentials. The companies said the move aims to provide more secure and convenient payment options while helping increase the use of digital payments in the country. Across Asia Pacific (APAC), 48% of all card transactions, including in-person and online payments, are done using debit cards, according to Visa.
“This collaboration aligns with the government’s vision of a cash-lite society, with Visa debit cards empowering RCBC consumers to make seamless everyday payments backed by Visa’s technology and global acceptance,” said Jeffrey Navarro, country manager of Visa Philippines.
RCBC said the partnership strengthens customer protection against fraud and other digital risks.
“In an era where digital threats are evolving, security is not just a feature, it is the foundation,” said Reggie Cariaso, president and CEO of RCBC. “With Visa’s world-class security protocols and RCBC’s robust digital infrastructure, our customers can transact with absolute peace of mind. It also offers more choices and confidence in how our consumers pay wherever they are across the world.”
RCBC has previously worked with Visa on digital payment initiatives. The bank was among the first card issuers in the Philippines to tokenize card credentials when Visa launched Google Wallet and Google Pay locally in partnership with Google, the FinTech Alliance of the Philippines, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
RCBC also launched Visa Direct for outbound cross-border payments, allowing individuals and businesses to send real-time transfers to billions of accounts in more than 190 countries and territories.