Merchants Savings & Loan Association, Inc., which is doing business under the name and style of “Rizal MicroBank – A Thrift bank”, was incorporated on December 15, 1976. The bank, which has twenty-one (21) branches scattered all over the Philippines became a subsidiary of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) after the latter bought it in 2008. Twenty (20) of the branch licenses of Merchants Bank were used by RCBC to further expand its branch network while one (1) branch license together with the thrift bank license were retained to jumpstart the universal bank’s venture into microfinance as part of RCBC’s business and market diversification strategy.
In 2010, Rizal MicroBank (RMB) activated its banking operation with its lone branch in Koronadal South Cotabato. In the same year, Rizal MicroBank opened another banking operation in Davao City after securing the transfer of the thrift bank’s head office from Makati to Davao City. In 2012, the bank added more branches in Digos (Davao Del Sur) and Tagum (Davao Del Norte). In the same year, Rizal MicroBank purchased the ten (10) branch licenses of the Southern Tagalog-based Pres. Jose P. Laurel Rural Bank, another RCBC subsidiary focused on microfinance services. These 10 branches were located in Tanauan, Laurel, Rosario, Bauan, Nasugbu, Lemery (Batangas), Calamba (Laguna), Candelaria (Quezon), San Jose (Occidental Mindoro) and Puerto Princesa (Palawan). In 2014, additional new branches were put up in Mindanao, namely in General Santos City (South Cotabato), Valencia City (Bukidnon), Cagayan De Oro City (Misamis Oriental) and Butuan City (Agusan Del Norte). In 2015, the bank management decided to close the operations of two (2) branches, namely Lemery (Batangas) and Candelaria (Quezon) and thereafter relocated the branch licenses in Consolacion and Talisay City (Cebu Province). In 2020, the bank management again decided to close the operations of three (3) branches, namely Bauan, Laurel, and Calamba (Laguna), which relocated the branch license to Balamban (Cebu) to continue the planned nationwide operation of RMB. In the same year, the bank opened its branch lite-unit (BLU) in Roxas (Oriental Mindoro) as part of its branch rationalization strategy in the Luzon area. In 2023, the bank again started its BLU operation in Tacurong (Sultan Kudarat) to serve more micro and small entrepreneurs. These BLUs were introduced as part of a broader strategy to enhance market reach in a cost-effective and operationally efficient manner. Currently, Rizal MicroBank operates nationwide with a total of sixteen (16) branches and twelve (12) branch-lite units. The bank remains steadfast in its commitment to providing accessible financial services and fostering inclusive economic growth.
Today, RMB remains true to its vision of becoming a financial partner of choice for micro and small entrepreneurs, especially for unbanked and underserved communities. We aim to provide customer-centric, innovative products that make financial services accessible and convenient to Filipinos. Through the combined strengths of RCBC and RMB, we can make positive differences in the lives of our customers and our beloved country.
We are Rizal MicroBank and we believe in our micro and small entrepreneurs!
