Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation

Pilot operations are now underway for the RCBC MyWallet-MRT Card, the first in the local industry to allow cardholders enjoy the convenient “tap-and-go” means of payment at the entrances of MRT stations along Edsa.

The pilot test run is initially being conducted by selected employees of RCBC and of other companies belonging to the Yuchengco Group, with the intention of testing its efficiency and smoothness of operation prior to launching it to the general public.

The RCBC MyWallet-MRT Card is equipped with an electronic 2D Bar Code technology that can be instantly read by the installed code reader at MRT3 stations, everytime a card passes over it. RCBC has partnered with solutions provider, Omniprime Marketing Inc., to integrate their technology to the RCBC MyWallet cards, giving the bank potential access to a market of approximately 800,000 daily MRT commuters. Omniprime’s system has been undergoing continuous tests using 2d bar codes on mobile phones and e-wallet cards. The entire 13 stations are interconnected wirelessly using a pre-wimax technology.

RCBC is reporting early success among its pilot group of cardholders, as this new and unique product lets them bypass the long rush-hour lines of commuters and go straight to the entrance turnstiles to tap their card and pay electronically.

“We are ever looking for ways to improve our product and service to our customers, and this is manifested in how we have made the RCBC MyWallet card an electronic MRT ticket too. It’s fast, it’s easy to use, and now it’s the only card you’ll need to get you through your day,” said Ismael R. Sandig, RCBC Executive Vice President and Retail Banking Head.

Though the Metro Rail Transit System’s E-Wallet Cards employ the same bar code technology, the RCBC MyWallet-MRT Card is so much more functional. As a pre-paid cash storage facility, it lets cardholders draw cash over the counter or ATM, pay bills via RCBC, make balance inquiry, and even purchase items via Bancnet point-of-sale terminals or Bancnet online. It is more secure than carrying cash, and can be an alternative to regular ATM cards.

RCBC will consistently provide better solutions for its customers. The succeeding phase of implementation at MRT, is to include enhanced functionalities to include other contactless payment technologies such as the NFC (Near Field Communication) for the RCBC My Wallet/ATM cards as well as using cell phones for contactless transportation ticketing and payments, readable by the same OMNIPRIME technology installed at the MRT3 stations.

Frequent MRT users will soon be able to just use their new cards more conveniently. They just need to make sure their cards are loaded with sufficient funds to enjoy its ease of use. Loading cash is also easy via over-the-counter transactions in RCBC branches or via ATMs through fund transfer from an existing RCBC deposit account and transfers from any Bancnet ATMs to their RCBC My Wallet Card.

Those who wish to inquire about the new RCBC MyWallet-MRT Card can visit any RCBC branch or contact the 24-hour customer center at tel. no. 894-9577.