The Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) has reported a 39-percent year-on-year growth in its consumer loan portfolio in the first quarter of 2025, with the auto and housing segment leading the charge. Auto loan portfolio reached P69 billion in March, up by P22 billion, while housing loans climbed to nearly P109 billion. Atty. Ramil De Villa, RCBC Consumer Lending group head, said the bank has sustained strong double-digit growth in consumer loans, propelled by data-driven strategies and continuous enhancement to the experience of all its stakeholders–including the loan borrowers, property developers, and auto dealers and manufacturers. “Partnership with leading automotive brands and property developers boosted our new loans growth. Likewise, data science enabled targeted cross-selling to the bank’s existing high net worth and affluent clients,” De Villa indicated. The partnership with Suzuki for example resulted in a three-fold increase in new loans this year. Recently, the bank also secured a partnership with Nissan Philippines Inc. to become its preferred financing provider for Nissan vehicles, enabling customers to avail of special deals with fast-tracked loan approval. Looking ahead, RCBC expects the momentum to continue, driven by strong fundamentals in the auto and housing markets. The country’s automotive sector alone is projected to sell over 512,000 units this year, with increasing consumer interest in electric vehicles (Evs). “We are tapping into trends like green mobility and regional growth. More Filipinos are seriously considering EVs, not just for savings, but for sustainability. This shift, along with continued infrastructure improvements, is shaping the future of auto financing,” the bank’s consumer lending group head noted. RCBC is also expanding its consumer lending footprint with new verticals in the pipeline which include more partnerships and programs aligned with evolving lifestyles and aspirations, and elevate customer experience through a full digital experience. Currently the 5th largest bank in the country, RCBC remains a strong player in the financial services industry, providing a wide array of financial services, from savings to investments, to credit and advisory solutions.