Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva has been named Digital Leader of the Year at the PhilSec Awards 2026.
The annual ceremony honors individuals and organizations across the public and private sectors for exceptional leadership in cybersecurity, digital innovation, and digital resilience.
Villanueva, who also serves as the founding chairman of FinTech Alliance.PH, received the distinction for championing initiatives that advance secure digital financial services, cybersecurity, financial inclusion, and cross-sector collaboration across the country.
Under Villanueva’s direction, RCBC has significantly expanded its digital banking ecosystem through platforms like RCBC Pulz, RCBC DiskarTech, and RCBC ATM Go, introducing multiple industry-first solutions:
- MySSS Card: Developed in partnership with the Social Security System (SSS) and powered by RCBC DiskarTech to streamline access to social security benefits.
- U.S. Virtual Account: Introduced via RCBC Pulz as the Philippines’ first virtual account feature for Filipinos without a U.S. address or residency.
- Manual Cash Withdrawal Service: Launched through RCBC ATM Go as Southeast Asia’s first manual cash withdrawal service tailored for international and domestic tourists.
These developments have positioned RCBC as the first bank in Asia recognized as Euromoney’s Best Bank for Digital for six consecutive years, contributing to a total of over 400 global and regional accolades earned in seven years.
Accepting the award alongside this year’s fellow PhilSec honorees, Villanueva dedicated the milestone to the broader fintech ecosystem, underscoring that technological advancements must remain tied to public trust and real-world impact.
“I accept this recognition on behalf of the many innovators, financial institutions, regulators, and industry partners who continue to work together in building a more secure, inclusive, and digitally empowered Philippines. This recognition inspires us to continue developing solutions that address the everyday needs of Filipinos while strengthening trust in digital finance,” Villanueva said.
He emphasized that cybersecurity, innovation, and financial inclusion must progress in tandem as the Philippine digital economy grows.
“As digital technologies continue to reshape financial services, our responsibility is not only to innovate but also to ensure that every innovation is secure, responsible, and accessible to every Filipino. Technology creates its greatest impact when it improves lives and empowers communities,” he added.
Alongside his executive duties at RCBC, Villanueva works through FinTech Alliance.PH with regulators, financial institutions, tech companies, and government agencies to strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure and broaden financial access nationwide.
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