Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) has launched the RCBC Pulz App U.S. Virtual Account, allowing Filipinos to open and manage a U.S. bank account without requiring a U.S. address, Social Security Number, or residency — a first in the Philippine banking industry.
The initiative, developed in partnership with Meridian, a U.S.-based provider of real-time global payments, was officially unveiled on November 7, 2025, at the RCBC Plaza in Makati.
The event gathered key government and industry leaders, including DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, CFO Undersecretary Ma. Arlene Borja, RCBC President and CEO Reggie Cariaso, and Meridian Co-Founder and CEO Will Haering.
Direct access to the U.S. payment system
Through the RCBC Pulz app, customers can now open a virtual U.S. account in their name and receive local U.S. transfers directly from any U.S. bank. Funds are instantly reflected in their linked peso accounts, eliminating delays, high remittance fees, and the need for intermediaries.
RCBC said users can receive up to US$10,000 per month under the program’s initial limits.
“RCBC has always been about breaking barriers and building bridges, especially for millions of Filipinos with strong ties abroad,” said Reggie Cariaso, RCBC President and CEO. “Through our 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.”
Faster, cheaper, and more transparent global payments
For Filipinos who depend on U.S. remittances — part of the country’s estimated US$36 billion annual inflows — the new feature modernizes how they receive money. Payments from U.S. employers, clients, or relatives are processed as local U.S. transfers, significantly reducing transaction times and costs.
“Global payments often take hours or even days, with fees eating into what people actually receive,” explained Will Haering, Meridian CEO. “By partnering with RCBC, we’re creating a seamless, compliant, and secure bridge that lets Filipinos enjoy the same access, speed, and convenience that U.S.-based users experience locally.”
Beyond remittances: enabling borderless banking
According to RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva, the partnership marks another milestone in the bank’s push toward a borderless, tech-driven financial ecosystem.
“We’re not just digitizing existing services — we’re redesigning how money moves across borders,” Villanueva said. “The RCBC Pulz U.S. Virtual Account embodies our commitment to build a more inclusive and borderless financial ecosystem.”
Government officials also lauded the innovation for aligning with the DICT’s digital transformation goals, particularly in advancing secure digital services and financial inclusion.
“This innovation aligns perfectly with the DICT’s mission to build a safe, reliable, and digitally empowered nation anchored on cybersecurity, connectivity, and innovation,” said DICT Secretary Henry Aguda during the launch.
Empowering freelancers, gig workers, and families
The RCBC Pulz U.S. Virtual Account comes at a time when the digital workforce and cross-border payments are rapidly expanding. Over four million Filipinos currently live and work in the U.S., and thousands more serve as freelancers and remote professionals for American clients.
Starting November 11, users can activate the service within the RCBC Pulz app to receive U.S. payments in real time and convert funds to pesos instantly.
For families in the Philippines, the feature means faster support from relatives abroad, without waiting times or exchange losses typical of traditional remittance channels.
RCBC’s continuing digital push
The launch builds on RCBC’s suite of award-winning digital platforms — including Pulz, DiskarTech, Tap-to-Pay, and ATM Go — which have been recognized for advancing financial inclusion. The bank is backed by a 20% stake from Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and has earned six consecutive Euromoney Best Bank for Digital awards (2020–2025).
“Banking should move at the speed of life,” Villanueva added. “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.”
