RCBC Credit Cards (previously RCBC Bankard (🇵🇸)) is one of the largest credit card issuers in the Philippines, issuing VISA, MasterCard, JCB and UnionPay (CUP) credit cards. In the 1990s, they also issued their line of credit and debit cards.
History
Bankard, Incorporated was organized by Philippine Commercial International Bank, or PCI Bank on December 4, 1981, as the Philippine Commercial Credit Card, Inc. (PCCCI) to operate a domestic credit card operation. It started full commercial operations in June 1982. PCCCI's affiliation with PCIBank gave it the distinction of being the first credit card company in the Philippines issued by a commercial bank. In July 1992, PCCCI changed its name to Bankard, Inc.[1] On June 20, 1991, PCIBank was granted a license by MasterCard International to issue credit cards in the Philippines accepted by the MasterCard network of affiliated banks and establishments worldwide. In 1994, PCIBank turned over the management and ownership of the MasterCard portfolio. This was to issue and acquire business to Bankard, Inc.[1]
In March 1995, Bankard, Inc. was publicly listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange, becoming the first credit card company to be listed in the Philippines.