The trust and investment arm of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) has reported assets under management (AUM) worth P186 billion end March, up 14 percent from P163 billion a year ago.
This, despite a quarter-on-quarter decline due to e-wallet outflows and a bearish equity market. AUMs stood at P195 billion end December 2024, according to Robert Ramos, president and chief executive officer of RCBC Trust.
“E-wallets are quite volatile. The funds come in and out often,” Ramos said. E-wallets are accounts from electronic money issuers.
Meanwhile, net earnings in the first three months of 2025 rose by 82-percent year-on-year, attributed to service upgrades, institutional mandates, and digital investment tools.
Revenues rose 24 percent driven largely by rigorous investment management accounts (IMA) and retirement fund mandates. Return on equity improved to 54 percent, from 41 percent in the previous year, and operating profit margin climbed to 29 percent, up from 21 percent.
Ramos said the performance surge was likewise attributed to improved client service, particularly in the stock transfer operations, where customer satisfaction rose to an all time high.
For the whole of 2025, RCBC Trust is looking at between 10- and 15-percent growth in AUMs, with expansion focused on high net-worth individuals, institutional accounts, and services like estate planning and investment advisory.
RCBC Trust is pushing ahead with its digital transformation, making unit investment trust fund (UITF) usage easy and accessible through the RCBC Pulz app, with a continued thrust to drive a seam less unified experience for UITF and investment management onboarding.
“Clients want intuitive and seamless access,” Ramos said. “We are creating a digital investment boutique, whether you want corporate bonds, government securities, or time deposits, it should all be in one space.”
He also noted the growing interest for investments aligned with the environment, social, and governance framework.
