Navigating course toward robust growth

RCBC's Reggie Cariaso:

- By KEISHA TA-ASAN

In his first press chat since taking the helm of the Yuchengco-led bank in June, Cariaso shared how his military background influences the way he approaches major challenges.

"Modern militaries employ a strategy called combined arms operations where you combine the use of ground troops, air support, naval support and logistics," Cariaso said.

"When you're taking on a big mission, you don't send your troops in first. You blind the enemy, take out their GPS, soften their defenses, cut off supply lines, gather intelligence, use decoys and then you strike," he said.

He sees the same layered strategy as applicable in banking.

"We're going to do the same with the bank's assets. Deploy them in a more coordinated way and optimize how each is used. That's how you take on big goals — not all at once, but with focus, sequencing and precision," he added.

The former naval officer's emphasis on discipline and alignment comes at a time when RCBC is ramping up efforts to deliver a sustainable double-digit return on equity by 2026, driven by strategic investments in people, technology and customer engagement.