RCBC DiskarTech Guide: Open Your First Bank Account Online

By: Ricky Publico, Moneymax

Do you have a bank account? You probably think that’s a silly question. But check out what the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) found in their 2017 Financial Inclusion Survey: 77.4% of Filipinos still don’t have bank accounts[1]. Good thing digital banks have started to fill the gap in a major way thanks to smartphone apps, the latest of which is the DiskarTech app.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) threw their hat in the ring of emerging digital banks in the Philippines with their latest launch. DiskarTech aims to add another viable option for unbanked Filipinos to finally start getting their finances together. But how does the newcomer app work? Let this extensive DiskarTech guide show you the ropes.

RCBC touted DiskarTech as the first Taglish financial inclusion “super app” in the Philippines. Launched in July 2020, the app aims to make banking services more accessible to unbanked Filipinos nationwide, especially those who live in grassroot communities. With only a few requirements and a stable internet connection, users can open a bank account in just a few clicks.

RCBC chair Helen Yuchengco-Dee explained the inspiration behind DiskarTech during its virtual launch[2]. “The change brought about by this new normal has challenged us to be even more relevant as we move forward in this new way of banking. DiskarTech will be our legacy to the young and tech-savvy Filipinos,” she said.

What Can I Do with DiskarTech?

DiskarTech allows you to do more than just opening a bank account. Here are just some of the things you can do with the new “super app.”

  • Grow your savings. With an interest rate of 3.25% per annum, you’ll be able to grow your money just by keeping it safe in your DiskarTech account.
  • Pay your monthly bills. DiskarTech allows you to settle your bills with hundreds of billers nationwide.
  • Buy insurance plans. Through the app, you can also buy insurance products to help protect you financially against unforeseen events.
  • Avail telemedicine services. DiskarTech made it easy for users to avail medical services without breaking the bank. And it’s all a few clicks away.
  • Buy prepaid load. Load up your smartphone for all your internet needs. Perfect for online classes and work-from-home setups.
  • Earn money via referral. By referring other people to the app, you get to earn money from each successful referral. Tell all your friends!

How to Open a DiskarTech Bank Account

Opening a DiskarTech account is easy. As long as you’re above 18 years old and a Filipino, you are eligible to use the super app. Plus, no minimum deposit or maintaining balance required. Just prepare any of the following accepted valid IDs.

  • Passport
  • Driver’s License
  • UMID
  • Postal ID
  • SSS ID
  • PRC ID
  • TIN ID
  • Voter ID

Once you’re set, follow these simple steps to open your DiskarTech account.

  1. Download the DiskarTech app from App Store or Google Play.
  2. Provide a unique username for your account.
  3. Provide the referral code if you were referred by a friend. If you don’t have one, skip this step.
  4. Enter your phone number and wait for your One-Time Password (OTP).
  5. Enter a strong password to protect your account.
  6. Choose to activate the fingerprint login or skip it.
  7. You can also set a goal or save it for another time.

How to Verify Your DiskarTech Account

  1. Once you’re done, verify your account by tapping “I-verify ang DiskarTech account.”
  2. Provide your personal information, address, and additional details.
  3. Tap “Susunod” to the terms and conditions to continue.
  4. Choose the valid ID you’re going to use and tap “Go, Ituloy na!”
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions when taking a picture of your valid ID and taking a selfie.
  6. Wait for a few minutes for your account to be verified.

How to Earn Money with DiskarTech

DiskarTech is considered a high-interest savings account at 3.25% interest rate per annum. Having a high interest rate has become a standard for digital banks. As a comparison, here’s how your savings can grow with a DiskarTech account vs. a regular savings account.

  • Regular Savings Account
    PHP 20,000 x 0.25% = PHP 50
    PHP 50 – 20% (tax) = PHP 40 per year
  • DiskarTech Savings Account
    PHP 20,000 x 3.25% = PHP 650
    PHP 800 – 20% (tax) = PHP 520 per year

How to Join the NegosyanTech Referral Program

You can also earn more money by referring your family and friends to use the DiskarTech app. With the NegosyanTech Referral Program, both you and the people you refer will receive incentives credited straight to your DiskarTech accounts. For every successful referral, you get PHP 30 and the person you referred gets PHP 10.

To get started, you need to access your NegosyanTech code. Anyone with a DiskarTech account has a unique code to use for the referral program. Just follow these simple steps.

  1. From the DiskarTech dashboard, tap “Account” at the lower right corner.
  2. Tap “Mag-invite ng friends sa DiskarTech.”
  3. You’ll find your referral code from there. Tap “Copy Code” and share it to your friends.
  4. You can also tap the “Mag-invite na ng friends” button to make it easier to message everyone.

How to Deposit Money to Your DiskarTech Account

After verification, you can now deposit funds to your new DiskarTech savings account. You can deposit a minimum of PHP 200 and maximum of PHP 25,000 and you can only deposit twice a day. Cut-off time for deposits starts at 9 p.m. and ends at 5 a.m. the next day.

  1. From the DiskarTech dashboard, tap “Deposit.”
  2. Choose a partner establishment and tap their logo.
  3. Enter the amount you want to deposit. Note that additional fees may apply.
  4. You will be presented a reference number or barcode.
  5. Head to your chosen establishment, present your reference number or barcode, and pay.
  6. Wait for the confirmation text that your deposit has been processed.

How to Deposit Money Through Partner Merchants

While DiskarTech is powered by RCBC, note that you can’t deposit funds to your DiskarTech account at RCBC branches for the time being. But don’t fret, you can instead deposit your cash to the following partner establishments:

  • 7-Eleven via CLiQQ kiosks
  • Bayad Center outlets
  • CVM Pawnshop
  • ECPay merchants
  • Gaisano Capital
  • H Lhuillier Pawnshop
  • RD Pawnshop
  • Tambunting Pawnshop
  • eBiz

How to Deposit Money Through Bank Accounts/Mobile Wallets

  1. From your banking app, head to the transfer feature.
  2. Choose “RCBC” or “RCBC/DiskarTech” from the list of banks.
  3. Enter the DiskarTech account number and other account details.

DiskarTech is certainly earning its “super app” moniker, thanks to the useful features it has. From paying bills to buying insurance, here’s how you can maximize your DiskarTech app.

How to Pay Bills with DiskarTech

  1. From the DiskarTech dashboard, tap “Pay Bills.”
  2. Choose your biller or use the search bar to search for your biller.
  3. Enter your biller information and the amount you need to pay before tapping “Susunod.”
  4. An OTP will be generated and sent to your number. Enter the OTP to verify the transaction.

How to Buy Load with DiskarTech

  1. From the DiskarTech dashboard, tap “Buy Load.”
  2. Enter the mobile number you want to load up.
  3. Choose the load denomination or promo you want to purchase and tap “Confirm.”
  4. An OTP will be generated and sent to your number. Enter the OTP to verify the transaction.

How to Buy Insurance with DiskarTech

  1. From the DiskarTech dashboard, tap “Insurance.”
  2. Choose the insurance product from the following list:
    • Commuters Personal Accident
    • Dengue Cash Assistance
    • Ridesafe 20K
    • Ridesafe 50K
  3. Super Personal Accident
  4. After choosing, tap “Avail na!”and provide your occupation and beneficiary.
  5. Confirm your details and tap “Confirm.”
  6. An OTP will be generated and sent to your number. Enter the OTP to verify the transaction.
  7. Your Certificate of Coverage (COC) will be sent to you via email within three to five business days.
  8. To file a claim, visit the Malayan Insurance claims website[3].

How to Avail Telemedicine Services with DiskarTech

  1. From the DiskarTech dashboard, tap “Telemedicine.”
  2. Tap the “iDoc Basic Plan” and read the coverage before tapping “Avail na!”
  3. An OTP will be generated and sent to your number. Enter the OTP to verify the transaction.
  4. Copy the iDoc code and click the link that leads to the iDoc website.
  5. Sign up for an iDoc account.
  6. An iDoc representative will call you to verify your account. State your iDoc code.
  7. Start availing telemedicine services from iDoc.

Read more: 5 Best Ways to Grow Your Extra Savings

Final Thoughts

With all the features this super app brings to the table, it will be hard to find excuses to not open a bank account. And if you already have a bank account, no one will stop if you open another one for a specific goal. The point is that the DiskarTech app just widened everyone’s horizons when it comes to their finances. The choice is yours if you want to grab the opportunities or not.

Footnotes:

Source: https://www.moneymax.ph/personal-finance/articles/diskartech-guide