Mar 162014
 

MANILA, Philippines – Banks, law enforcers, and consumers should all work together to minimize losses from stolen information from automated teller machine (ATM) cards, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said.

“This kind of loss  should be approached as a shared responsibility,” BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said in an e-mail to reporters over the weekend.

“Banks are required to take all prudent measures to minimize the risk. Customers should be careful in handling their ATM cards. Police authorities should be running hard after the criminal syndicates,” he said.

Tetangco made the comment when asked if banks should be required to provide insurance products to cover losses from ATM fraud or scams.

“Without these in place, insurance will be a costly and counter-productive proposition. Customers will ultimately bear the cost either in higher fees or more restrictive services,” Tetangco said.

The central bank has estimated losses to ATM fraud at P220 million in 2013, Vicente De Villa III, director at the BSP’s Supervisory Data Center, told a Senate hearing last month.

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Thieves have resorted to skimming, in which information stored in one’s card is stolen through devices installed in an ATM, the BSP chief said.

“A skimmed card by itself will not work unless the PIN has also been compromised. So a related issue is how the password is stolen with the skimmed card,” Tetangco said.

“In the past, it was the hidden camera that was the solution. Banks could validate who and when people withdrew from which ATM machine. It turns out that not all ATM machines have the camera [because] a machine normally has a 10 year life and legacy machines still operating don’t have the camera,” he added.

Feb 262014
 
PSG member caught using cloned ATM cards released on bail

A member of the Presidential Security Group who was caught using cloned automated teller machine (ATM) cards last week is now out on bail. Lt. J.G. Raphael Marcial gained his temporary liberty after he posted P20,000 bail, radio dzBB reported early Thursday. Makati City police had arrested Marcial, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 2008, during a surveillance operation. Last Sunday, Malacañang said there will be no special treatment for Marcial, with Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. saying Marcial will have to face the consequences of his actions. “They must face the consequences of their actions in accordance with the law,” he said on government-run dzRB radio last Sunday. — ELR, GMA News

Jan 082014
 
Banks to abide by new consumer protection guidelines

MANILA, Philippines – Banks will have to abide by new consumer protection guidelines this year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said, as the measure is already being finalized and aimed to be launched in the first semester of 2014. “We have further improved and strengthened consumer protection by formalizing a… framework against which banks will be measured or assessed,” BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said. Tetangco explained the BSP will be releasing guidelines with which banks can put together their own consumer protection policies. At the same time, banks will be assessed on a scale of one to four, with four being the highest, on how adequate their consumer protection practices are. The rating system will be similar to CAMELS, which assesses a bank with regard to its capital adequacy, assets, management capability, earnings, liquidity and sensitivity. “There are certain guidelines on how an adequate consumer protection framework can be organized and this year, we will start to assess banks on the basis of this framework,” Tetangco said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “We are working on this now. We will launch this hopefully sometime in the early part of the year,” Tetangco added. The BSP last year announced it will be introducing a framework for the protection of customers of banks and other financial institutions. The framework is meant to create a standard with which banks can be assessed in terms of how they handle customer complaints or how well their consumer protection policies Read More …

Dec 272013
 
China Bank opens 4 new branches

MANILA, Philippines – China Banking Corp. (China Bank) has opened four new branches before the end of the year, bringing its network count to 295. In a statement, the bank said it opened new branches in Guagua, Pampanga; Jaro, Iloilo; Roxas, Isabela; and Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija. The new offices are the bank’s 13th branch in Pampanga, fifth in Iloilo, fourth in Isabela, and sixth in Nueva Ecija. The bank noted the full-service branches will be open from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All of which are equipped with an automated teller machine (ATM) and a night depository box for a 24/7 service. At the same time, its thrift bank arm, China Bank Savings has opened two mini branches before the end of 2013. The savings bank’s new mini branches are located at Savemore Amang Rodriguez Branch in Pasig City and at Savemore Acacia Estates Branch in Taguig City. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 This now brought CBS’ mini branches count to 11, 10 of which are at Savemore locations and one at Fil-Oil in Tanuan, Batangas. China Bank noted CBS mini branches offer face to face interaction with tellers and e-banking services. These offices are open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and are also equipped with an ATM, night depository and an online banking kiosk. China Bank’s new branches and the thrift bank’s newly opened mini-branches bring the whole network’s count to 368. The bank has opened 12 China Read More …

Nov 152013
 
PSBank income jumps 82%

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Savings Bank, the thrif unit of the Metrobank Group, posted a record P3.2-billion net income in the first nine months of the year, up 82 percent from P1.8-billion net income in the same period last year, due to the continued expansion of its loan portfolio and gains from its investment portfolio. In a statement, PSBank said net interest income grew 16 percent to P4.9 billion. Interest income from loans rose 15 percent amidst lower margins as the bank continued to expand its asset base. The bank’s gross loan portfolio went up 17 percent to P83.7 billion on strong consumer demand. Even with the increase in loans, the bank said its net non-performing loan (NPL) ratio fell to 0.1 percent and its NPL coverage ratio was in excess of 100 percent. The bank’s total deposits reached P100 billion, up 14 percent from last year, with the growth driven by excess system liquidity and an increase in new retail clients. “We are pleased with the strong growth posted not only by our auto and mortgage loans, but also of our retail deposits.” PSBank president Vicente Cuna said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The bank’s equity was 21 percent higher at P17.6 billion. This translates to a capital adequacy ratio of 18.4 percent and Tier 1 capital ratio of 15.2 percent, well above the 10-percent regulatory minimum and the Basel 3 requirements set for implementation in 2014. PSBank’s distribution network includes 222 branches and 537 Read More …

Nov 122013
 
Tacloban faces ATM looting, fuel shortage

Residents stand on the ruins of their house amidst other destroyed houses after Super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city in central Philippines November 10, 2013. One of the most powerful storms ever recorded killed at least 10,000 people in the central Philippines province of Leyte, a senior police official said on Sunday, with coastal towns and the regional capital devastated by huge waves. Super typhoon Haiyan destroyed about 70 to 80 percent of the area in its path as it tore through the province on Friday, said chief superintendent Elmer Soria, a regional police director. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Tacloban is now facing law and order problems and a risk of a fuel shortage, according to Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado. Mercado said he has received reports that people have resorted to looting automated teller machines (ATMs) out of despair. “I hope the Office of the Civil Defense will focus on this. We also asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to send troops in the area to maintain peace and order,” he said. An earlier clip showed the looting at Gaisano mall in Tacloban City after the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda as hundreds of residents took advantage of the breakdown in law and order out of despair. Mercado also appealed to the private sector to send help, especially as supplies for basic goods are nearly dissipated. “We are also seeing long lines in gas stations. I fear a shortage of fuels in the entire region 8,” Read More …

Aug 302013
 
HK-based recruiters may lose permits

Philippine Daily Inquirer 6:47 am | Saturday, August 31st, 2013 POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac photo from his official Twitter account. MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (Poea) on Friday threatened to strip Hong Kong-based recruitment agencies of their accreditation for collecting placement fees from Filipino household service workers (HSWs). In a Facebook post, Poea chief Hans Cacdac said the agency has received information that some Philippine-accredited agencies in Hong Kong collect placement fees through an “imaginary loan” or an ATM deposit scheme. The Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong has already issued a memorandum to all accredited Hong Kong agencies with the warning that the Philippine government will not tolerate these malpractices, Cacdac said. “Any violation committed by the Hong Kong agency will be dealt with seriously and this office (Consulate General of the Philippines) will apply the full force of Philippine laws,” said Labor Attaché Manuel Roldan of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Hong Kong. Tina G. Santos Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate:

Aug 212013
 
Cloud computing heightens bank competitiveness – BSP

MANILA, Philippines – Employing cloud computing would help small banks increase their competitiveness, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said. “It’s a cost-effective way for them to be able to store, manage data without having to invest heavily in infrastructure,” BSP Deputy Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. told reporters. “Actually, it’s a solution which upgrades the competitiveness of small institutions,” he continued. The BSP recently approved the issuance of an enhanced Information Technology Risk Management for financial institutions which includes the need for banks and non-bank financial institutions to adopt cloud computing to improve their services. Cloud computing utilizes the Internet to store and share information. Firms can use a private cloud which will be solely for their own use or a public cloud, which the public or a group of companies can use. Firms can also opt to use a mix of both. “I think we’re actually a pioneer in formulating a regulation that allow banks to do cloud computing,” Espenilla said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Regulators in the Philippines and Singapore are the among the first in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to issue specific guidelines for the use of cloud computing for banks and other financial institutions, Espenilla said. The mandate in the Philippines is effective immediately, he said. Aside from the use of cloud computing, the BSP has ordered banks to replace automated teller machine (ATM) cards with EMV-enabled ones by January 2017. Banks were also mandated to change Read More …

Aug 192013
 
Banks cancel operations due to heavy rain, flooding

MANILA, Philippines – At least three banks canceled operations on Monday in light of heavy rains and flooding in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. Security Bank announced the suspension of its branches’ operations in Metro Manila and several areas in Luzon affected by typhoon Maring. “Customers from affected areas can still access their accounts thru ATMs (automated teller machines) and its eBanking Facility,” it said. The bank added that it can be reached through 88-791-88 should customers need additional assistance. Bando de Oro Unibank similarly suspended its operations in Metro Manila and some areas in Rizal and Cavite, Bulacan and Laguna. Meanwhile, Land Bank of the Philippines canceled the operations of its Metro Manila branches after 12 p.m. It noted, however, that its ATM branches remain operational 24/7. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), on the other hand, said it will be business as usual for its head office and Luzon branches until 3 p.m. today. BPI branches and offices in Visayas and Mindanao will remain open up to 4:30 p.m. “This will give our customers ample time to fulfill their banking transactions for the day and also allow our employees enough time to go home early,” it said. It added that its ATM branches and online services remain operational.

Jun 062013
 
NBI arrests 6 Taiwanese suspects on credit card fraud

By Tetch Torres-TupasINQUIRER.net 4:24 pm | Thursday, June 6th, 2013 Nonnatus Caesar Rojas MANILA, Philippines—The National Bureau of Investigation arrested six Taiwanese nationals allegedly involved in credit card fraud. In a report submitted to NBI Director Nonnatus Rojas on Thursday, arrested by members of the NBI Cybercrime Division are Cheng-Yen Yu, 25; Chih-Cheng Chang, 35; Chia-Hung Hung, 26; Sen-Yuan Wu, 24; Chun-Kai Tsou, 25 and Wen-Hao Wu, 26, all with address at Unit 4D, Regency Park Townhomes (Summit Residence), J. Abad Santos Hi-Way corner E. Aguinaldo Street, Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga. The six have already been slapped with a complaint for violation of Republic Act 8484 or the Access, Devices, Regulation Act of 1998 before the Pampanga Prosecutors Office. Chih-Cheng Chang, on the other hand is also facing an additional complaint for Corruption of Public Officials for attempting to bribe the NBI operatives. Seized by the NBI-CCD team from the suspects were the P500,000 cash used in trying to bribe the operatives, counterfeit automated teller machine (ATM) cards and counterfeit credit cards, electronic gadgets used in illegal duplication of credit cards and ATM cards, and documents. The NBI arrested the six last June 4 after a series of surveillance operations. Found in the Taiwanese nationals’ possession were several electronic gadgets, devices, ATM cards, credit cards, and documents with Chinese characters which were being used and intended to be used in the  illegal activities of duplication, unauthorized use/access of credit cards/ATM cards. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Read More …