Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), one of the Philippines’ most awarded and digitally advanced banks, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Meridian, a leading US-based provider of real-time global payments networking, to launch the RCBC Pulz App U.S. Virtual Account. As the first bank in the Philippines to offer U.S. virtual accounts, the joint innovation allows RCBC customers to open and manage a U.S. virtual account directly through the RCBC Pulz app, no U.S. address, social security number, or residency required. Users receive their own U.S. account in their name, capable of accepting domestic payments in real time from any U.S. bank, with funds instantly reflected in their linked RCBC Pulz peso accounts, bypassing the delays, high fees, and complexities of traditional cross-border payments.
“RCBC has always been about breaking barriers and building bridges especially for the 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 US economy. This is financial inclusion made real.”
With an estimated US$36 billion in remittances flowing into the Philippines annually, making it one of the world’s top destinations for global payments, RCBC’s latest offering aims to modernize the experience of receiving money from the U.S. by providing a more efficient, transparent, and real-time alternative to conventional money transfer services.
“Global payments often take hours or even days, with fees eating into what people actually receive,” explained Will Haering, CEO of Meridian. “By partnering with RCBC, we’re creating a seamless, compliant, and secure bridge that lets Filipinos enjoy the same access, speed, and convenience that US-based users experience locally. It’s not just about faster transactions, it’s about leveling the financial playing field to make global payments local.”
Unlike other digital banking products that merely facilitate remittances, the RCBC Pulz App U.S. Virtual Account gives Filipinos direct access to the local U.S. payment systems, a privilege traditionally limited to U.S. residents. Users can receive up to $10,000 USD per month (monthly aggregate limit) directly into their RCBC U.S. Virtual Account, enabling more seamless, secure, and convenient management of their funds across borders.
“This innovation puts RCBC ahead of the curve in the region’s digital banking race,” noted Lito Villanueva, RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer. “We’re not just digitizing existing services, we’re redesigning how money moves across borders. The RCBC Pulz App U.S. Virtual Account embodies our commitment to building a more inclusive, tech-driven, and borderless financial ecosystem.”
The initiative also earned strong support from the government, recognizing its role in advancing 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 three pillars: strengthening cybersecurity, ensuring efficient and affordable data access, and driving digital innovations that uplift lives,” said Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda.
The launch comes at a time when the nature of work and financial exchange has drastically evolved. With more Filipino freelancers and gig workers serving US-based clients, and over four million Filipino immigrants and temporary workers in the U.S., the demand for more flexible, affordable, and secure ways to receive and manage earnings has never been greater.
Starting November 11, Filipinos will be able to create their first-ever US virtual account directly within the RCBC Pulz app, giving them the ability to receive their earnings in USD and swiftly convert to PHP with the same ease as their peso accounts.
For families back home, this also means faster support and direct access to local payments from loved ones abroad in the U.S., without the waiting times and conversion losses that have long burdened traditional remittance channels.
RCBC has been widely recognized for its digital-first approach and inclusive innovations. Its award-winning RCBC Pulz App, DiskarTech, and ATM Go platforms have set benchmarks for financial inclusion, offering easy onboarding, goal-based savings, and AI-powered financial education tools to millions of Filipinos.
The partnership with Meridian underscores RCBC’s continuing mission to push the boundaries of digital banking, both locally and globally through cutting-edge digital banking infrastructure.
“We are proud to partner with RCBC as the first bank bringing this transformative payment innovation to life and make U.S. accounts available across the Philippines,” said Haering. “Our shared vision is to eliminate borders in banking so that global payments become local, driving opportunity, income, and progress for people in the Philippines.”
“Banking should move at the speed of life,” Villanueva concluded. “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.”
