BDO asks depositors to report alleged ATM fraud

MANILA - BDO Unibank, the country's largest lender, said Friday it received reports of alleged ATM fraud and urged depositors who think they were affected to have their cases investigated by the bank.

Social media posts circulated this week purportedly showed how some depositors lost money due to "skimming" or copying of account details through hijacked ATM machines.

"BDO has obtained reports of potentially compromised ATM following reported losses from cardholders," the bank said in a statement.

"Customers with unauthorized transactions may reach out to the bank via formal channels so that their cases may be properly investigated and, where confirmed as impacted, may be reimbursed," it said.

The bank owned by the country's richest man, Henry Sy, said "all efforts" were being made to keep accounts safe.

The ATM fraud reports came a week after Bank of the Philippine Islands' electronic services were paralyzed for 2 days due to what it said was an "internal" glitch.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Banks announce holiday schedule

MANILA – Several banks announced that they will be adjusting their schedules for the holidays.

For Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and BPI Family Savings Bank, the following schedules will be implemented from December 24, 2015 to January 4, 2016:

• Dec. 24-25: All regular branches and all kiosks closed
• Dec. 26: Branches and kiosks with Saturday operations open
• Dec. 27: Branches and kiosks with Sunday operations open
• Dec. 28-29: All regular branches and kiosks (except those with Tue day-off schedules) open
• Dec. 30: Select branches open
• Dec. 31-Jan. 2: All branches and kiosks closed
• Jan. 3: Branches and kiosks with Sunday operations open

Regular operations of all branches and kiosks, except those with Monday day-off, are scheduled to resume on January 4, 2016.

BPI's ATMs, cash-deposit machines, POS terminals, electronic banking platform, and mobile app will be available for BPI online and mobile transactions during the holidays.

BPI Globe BanKO clients may also carry out transactions during the holidays at open partner outlets.
"In view of the long holiday, we urge clients to plan and complete their transactions ahead of time," BPI said in a statement.

For BDO Unibank, selected branches will be open on December 24, 26 and 27.

The full list of banks can be found on the bank's website.


BDO said its ATMs and electronic banking services will continue to handle transactions and other banking services.

China Bank, meanwhile, said almost half of its branch network will serve customers on December 24 and 31 and January 2.

On December 24, 46 China Bank branches in Metro Manila and 57 in the provinces will be open.

On December 26, 10 provincial branches are open on top of the 58 branches with regular Saturday banking schedule.

On December 31, 71 Metro Manila and 116 provincial branches will be open.

On January 2, 2016, branches with regular Saturday banking schedule will be open, as well as 64 China Bank branches in Metro Manila and 63 in the provinces.

China Bank branches that have regular Saturday and Sunday banking on December 26 and 27 and January 3 are also open.

"Selected branches that are open during the holiday break will be on a half-day banking schedule or shortened banking hours, which means closing one hour earlier than usual," China Bank said.

Its ATM, mobile and internet banking, and phone banking will also be available during the holidays.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

BDO to undergo system upgrade on November 9

MANILA, Philippines - BDO Unibank Inc. said it will undertake scheduled system upgrade from 12:20 a.m. to 9 a.m. on November 9, 2014 (Sunday).

During the activity, the following services will not be available:
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)
Personal and Corporate Online Banking, Mobile Banking, and Phone Banking
ATM Debit Card and Cash Card Usage.

BDO said clients should perform their banking transactions before the scheduled maintenance to avoid inconvenience.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How BDO is combating debit card fraud

MANILA, Philippines – BDO Unibank Inc. has tapped a new software solution to detect, prevent and significantly reduce fraud on debit cards.

The bank said it will use FICO's Falcon Fraud Manager, one of the world's leading analytics and decision management software firms, to analyze cardholder account transactions against fraud profiles on a real-time basis.

BDO senior vice president and head for transaction banking Emmanuel Narciso said the new software will boost not only security of clients who use debit cards for purchase and payment transactions but also the use of online payments.

"We're aiming for significantly increased purchase usage among our debit cardholders. Our success will depend largely on our ability to assure customers that they can use their cards, both online and in stores, to make purchases in an easy, safe, and secure manner," he said.

FICO's studies showed that there is a growing number of payment card fraud over the last two years in the Philippines, coinciding with the rapid growth of card adoption and usage.

Banks are therefore more cautious about growing card portfolios too quickly without effective fraud controls in place.

In 2013, banks lost as much as P220 million to ATM fraud.

"By building its debit card program upon the industry's most advanced fraud detection solution, BDO is backing its commitment to protect its customers so they can fully enjoy the convenience of their debit cards, just as they do their credit cards," said FICO president for Asia Pacific Dan McConaghy.

BDO ATM debit cards allow clients to withdraw cash through BDO, Expressnet, MegaLink and BancNet ATMs nationwide and through MasterCard/Cirrus and Visa/Plus ATMs worldwide (for MasterCard and VISA ATM Debit Card, and pay without cash for purchases, goods and services at major establishments nationwide and abroad (for MasterCard and VISA ATM Debit Card).

Clients can also view balance information, transfer money, pay bills and buy prepaid mobile reloads anytime, anywhere using BDO's electronic channels.

 source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Be an online shopping expert

While hitting malls and bazaars is the tried and tested way to shop ‘til you drop, scouring websites and portals for your dream dress or accessory-to-have-now also brings an indescribable natural high.

It’s as if all the best finds—from clothes and gadgets, to food and even travel packages—are all around you, albeit you’re just sitting in your living room. With just your phone or your tablet, you’re transported to another world, one full of the promise of an incredible shopping experience.

But, just like traditional shopping, there are important things you must keep in mind if you decide to tread the virtual route.

For one, seeing more products at a lesser amount of time can make you feel really overwhelmed, leading you to literally click and swipe ‘til you drop.

Avoid being stuck with items you don’t actually want (they just looked so good on screen, you know how cool graphics and a nice layout can make everything appear much more enticing) by making a list of what you need and setting a budget.

It’s also important to compare prices from various websites, and to examine the quality of each item carefully—sellers list descriptions and materials so make sure to read, read, read.

Take your experience further with your BDO Credit Card—providing you a convenient, safe and secure means to enjoy shopping online. Remember to keep your focus and know what you really want and use your BDO Credit Card when you purchase online to get even more value for your money.

And with exclusive offers and deals with online merchant partners throughout the year, you'll truly be on your way to becoming a savvy online shopping expert!

Get a complete list of BDO promos by downloading the BDO Deal Finder App for FREE at iTunes App Store and Google Play Store or log on to www.bdo.com.ph.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Tis the season to go (online) shopping

Shopping on the web just got more exciting with BDO Credit Cards' Online Installment Offer

Gone are the days when the mall is the only place where you can get the latest "it" bag or the newest breakthrough beauty product—now you can purchase to your heart’s content right where you are, as long as you have access to the Onternet.

Online shopping is undeniably one of the best innovations of all time: It’s fast, easy, and convenient; on top of being able to shop anywhere and anytime with your mobile phone or tablet, you can now also compare prices quickly and accurately, not just among local shopping portals, but even international ones—and, even better, there are always lots of discounts and special deals available for you in the world wide web.

Enjoy your online shopping experience to the fullest with BDO’s Automated Online Installment, which allows you to shop at absolutely 0% interest at participating merchant’s websites—from group buying sites like CashCashPinoy, iGrab, TCat, and Ensogo, to retail portals like ava.ph, filgifts.com, gnc.com.ph, hallohallomall.com, karatworld.net, lazada.com, saversappliancedepot.com, shuttermaster.com.ph, and even travel websites like 2go.com.ph, bookbelowzero.com, and philippinehotelreservations.com—using your BDO Credit Card.

The first and only local credit card facility that allows automated online installment purchase (for a minimum of a P3,000 purchase), BDO has a wide array of merchant partners with special deals to choose from—and there’s no need for you to worry because shopping online with a BDO Credit Card is safe and secure.

Plus, by purchasing on installment, you can spread out your payments instead of having to fork out huge sums of cash in one go, enabling you to keep better track of your finances!

Get the perfect gift for everyone on your Christmas list without getting stressed by crowded malls and long lines, so you can sit back, relax, and truly bask in the merriment of the season.

Get a complete list of BDO promos by downloading the BDO Deal Finder App for FREE at iTunes App Store and Google Play Store. For the complete BDO Online Installment mechanics, visit www.bdo.com.ph/promos/shop-online-absolutely-0 or call 631-8000.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

BDO named Best Asian Bank by FinanceAsia

MANILA, Philippines - Sy-led Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. (BDO) was named the Best Asian Bank for 2013 by FinanceAsia, a Hong Kong-based financial publishing company. This was the first time the award was given to a Philippine bank.

According to the publication, BDO outperfomed the likes of ICBC (China), HDFC (India), Bank Central Asia (Indonesia), Shinhan Financial (Korea), DBS (Singapore), CTBC (Taiwan) and Siam Commercial Bank (Thailand).

The win also snapped a three-year winning streak by Malaysia's Public Bank, which was also shortlisted.

"It represents the first time FinanceAsia has given this award to a Philippine bank, reflecting the rise in fortunes of the country, notably its improved credit rating," said FinanceAsia.

Standard & Poor's and Fitch recently upgraded the Philippines to investment grade earlier this year, and in July, Moody's Investors Service put the country on positive watch, which according to market pundits, could signify a parallel move this year.

The award was determined by ranking the winners of 'Best Bank' in each market along several criteria, with data provided by SNL Financial, a US-based financial data provider.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com