Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) expects its credit card business to sustain a double-digit expansion this year as the lender pivots toward the premium market to capture a larger share of the country's wealthiest spenders.

Arniel Vincent B. Ong, RCBC Credit Cards president and chief executive officer, said that the bank sees significant untapped opportunities in the market despite a competitive landscape

He added that RCBC, which currently has 1.5 million cards in circulation, views the consumer segment as a primary engine for higher yields.

“We now have 1.5 million cards in RCBC as of today,” Ong said. “And we expect that number to continue growing for the remainder of the year.”

Credit cards have emerged as a pillar of RCBC’s retail strategy, with the consumer lending portfolio now accounting for nearly half of its total loan book. To fuel this momentum, the bank is readying a pipeline of new products designed to attract affluent clients.

“We're cooking some very exciting new products and features,” Ong said. “We're looking at exciting new products for all our customers.”

This shift toward the high-end segment began shortly after the pandemic. Ong noted that the bank has spent the last four years intentionally repositioning its brand to cater to the needs of “mass affluent” and high-net-worth individuals.

“In RCBC, we've been making a stronger position on the affluent segment, the premium segment,” Ong said. “For the last three to four years since the exit of the pandemic, that's been a very conscious decision that we've made.”

The latest centerpiece of this strategy is the RCBC Airmiles Visa Signature card, a product specifically designed for frequent international travelers. The card offers a 1:1 mile conversion rate with various airline programs and a 1.5 percent foreign exchange conversion fee, which the bank describes as one of the most competitive in the industry.

It also includes perks such as unlimited worldwide airport lounge access and travel insurance coverage of up to ₱20 million.

“The RCBC Airmiles Visa Signature is more than a financial tool—it keeps your focus on the journey and discovery,” said Reggie Cariaso, president and chief executive officer of RCBC. “This card reflects our close collaboration with Visa for a seamless, premium travel experience.”

Jeffrey Navarro, Visa country manager for the Philippines, said the partnership leverages global technology and local market insights to facilitate secure cross-border payments.

“Together, we’re enabling secure, seamless, and reliable payments that help discerning travelers move with ease and confidence across borders and currencies,” Navarro said.