Micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines can now take advantage of an innovative payment solution that enables them to accept credit and debit card payments without investing in costly point-of-sale (POS) terminals.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) has officially launched the Tap-to-Phone payment solution, making it the first local commercial bank to introduce and roll out the technology. RCBC Tap-to-Phone turns any NFC-enabled Android smartphone into a powerful payment terminal that instantly accepts Visa and Mastercard payments on the go. The technology does not require traditional card readers.
RCBC Tap-to-Phone allows customers to do payments using their Visa or Mastercard credit, debit, or prepaid cards whether issued locally and internationally (even non-RCBC Credit cards). The payment is initiated simply by tapping a credit/debit card against the upper back portion of a smartphone (via the NFC technology, which is built in almost every Android phone available today).
During the transaction, which may be completed in several seconds or a minute, an instant e-receipt is generated for the customer. Payment receipts are in the form of QR codes and e-receipts that can be sent to the customers’ emails or can shared through screenshots. This streamlines the transaction process.
To further provide advantage to MSMEs, quick settlement of card payments is ensured; funds are credited to the business owner’s account in as fast as the next banking day. There is even a Merchant Portal that helps MSME owners monitor all transactions and access reports in a single user-friendly portal. A 24/7 Merchant Support is also accessible to assist users when needed.
“This is not just a payment tool. It is an equalizer,” says RCBC President and CEO Reggie B. Cariaso. “It is a way to bring more people into the formal economy, to help our small businesses grow stronger, earn faster, and serve better.”
Other than MSMEs, RCBC Tap-to-Phone is also ideal as a payment solution for bazaars and markets, food delivery, cafés and restaurants, transit services, expos, mom-and-pop stores, and mobile sales personnel (like insurance agents and distributors).
Thus, this feature is aligned with RCBC’s commitment to financial inclusion and innovation as it enables all vendors to get into the digital payments ecosystem with very minimal cost and maximum ease.
“With Tap-to-Phone, we’re breaking barriers that once seemed impossible,” says RCBC Credit Cards President and CEO Arniel Vincent B. Ong. “Imagine this: with just a smartphone, a seller can now accept card payments safely and instantly without the need for bulky terminals, costly hardware, or complicated setup. This is not just a convenience. This is a game-changer.”
RCBC launched Tap-to-Phone through a special bazaar event on August 15, 2025 at the Ayala One Concourse in Makati City. Twenty-five accredited Mercato Centrale merchants participated to showcase the convenience of cashless transactions through the RCBC Tap-to-Phone service.
Learn more through this video: