BDO Fees, BPI Fees, Metrobank Fees, Bank Fees in the Philippines
Bank fees of 10 pesos, 2 pesos, 1.50 pesos, 150 pesos — they add up.
Let’s avoid them.
Over the past months, my daughter accumulated a total deductions of 327.50 pesos
from her BPI Family savings account:
- two 150 pesos for allowing her maintaining balance to fall below 1,000 pesos for three consecutive months
- two 10 pesos for ATM withdrawal in other banks’ ATMs
- three 1.50 pesos for ATM inquiries in other banks’ ATMs
Same with me, I also accumulated a lot of 11-peso and 2-peso deductions
from my BDO savings account for ATM withdrawals in other banks’ ATMs. Obviously, we’re not good examples of what I’m writing about. But since I’ve seen the total deductions on printed paper, I’ve become more conscious about these fees.
My attention to bank fees was also heightened when an OFW in Italy wrote to ask about her BDO savings account which she left dormant. When she comes home this December, she will find that her more than 48K deposit, instead of increasing, has been reduced by about 1,600 pesos. A dormant BDO savings account is charged 200 pesos per month. (Update: BDO increased its dormancy fee to 300 pesos per month of dormancy in February 2011.)
Take note of the following common bank fees. All banks charge them. They just differ in amounts. Let’s avoid them.
1. ATM Fees for withdrawing in other banks’ ATMs
BPI withdrawal fee: 10 pesos
BPI inquiry fee: 1.50
BDO withdrawal fee: 11 pesos
BDO inquiry fee: 2 pesos
If you withdraw twice a week at another bank’s ATM, you would be
spending 80 pesos a month just for withdrawal.
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2. Service Charge for Not Complying with the Maintaining Balance Requirement
BPI Family: 150 pesos
BPI: 200 pesos
BDO: 200 pesos (increased to 300 on Feb 1, 2011)
Metrobank passbook savings: 250 pesos
Metrobank ATM savings: 200 pesos
The maintaining balances are the following:
BPI Family ATM peso savings — 1,000 pesos
BPI Family passbook savings — 10,000 pesos
BPI ATM peso savings — 3,000 pesos
BPI passbook peso savings — 10,000 pesos
BDO ATM peso savings — 2,000 pesos
BDO Passbook peso savings — 5,000 pesos
Metrobank ATM peso savings — 2,000 pesos
Metrobank passbook savings — 10,000 pesos
Metrobank SSS pensioner — 200 pesos
These banks charge fees for two consecutive months of being below the maintaining balance.
3. Charges for Dormant Accounts
BPI and BDO: 200 pesos for every month of dormancy (BDO increased its dormancy fee to 300 on Feb 1, 2011)
4. Service charge for over-the-counter withdrawal for ATM-based Accounts
BPI — 100 pesos
No charge if ATM is off-line or if withdrawal amount exceeds the daily ATM withdrawal limit, which is 20,000 pesos
BDO — 100 pesos
The daily ATM withdrawal limit for BDO is higher — 50,000 pesos. If your account is ATM-based, you can’t withdraw over the counter unless you’ve already withdrawn 50K through the ATM or unless you pay the OTC withdrawal fee of 100 pesos.
5. Fees and Penalties for Returned Checks
Metrobank: 2,000 pesos plus 200 pesos per day for every 40,000 pesos and fraction
of check amount
BPI: 2,000 pesos plus 200 pesos per day for every 40,000 pesos and fraction of check amount
Related Articles:
BDO Deposit Accounts — Baka Maubos Imbes na Lumago
BDO Correspondents for Sending Money to the Philippines
How to reactivate my old account po with same card number?
Your content seems to patronize or even support their policy. you did not answer your own question “Why keep paying them?” In % wise, its a large sum. That seems unnecessary burden for no reason whatsoever.
I also had the experience of bein deducted, even having above maintaining balance
Hi Lyn, saang country ba sila? Kung merong Metrobank branch doon, puede silang mag-ask ng help doon. Kung wala, dito lang sa Philippines ma-reactivate ang dormant account. I hope above maintaining balance ang amount na andon sa account.
Hi ask nmn aq ng advice.. I had my aunts metrobank but it was dormant is there anyway n ma activate ulit provided NSA overseas sila.
And d po nkauwi.
I have a negative balance in metrobank but i Don’t want to pay that amount will it affect me ….is it compulsory to pay negative balance amount ….please help me
I’m really worried baka this month may panibago na naman sila ideduct o maulit ung overdraft charge sa account ko.
Hi Nora,
Last 5TH of November , nagkaroon ako ng penalties for not able to fund the checks for my autoloan. I forgot to fund it on time. i was charged twice amounting to a total of 4,400 which was deducted by metrobank to the maintaining balance since 10k lang laman that time. After na mabayaran ko na yung sa autoloan nung 8th, I’ve funded my checking account and leave a balance of 26,000 nung 9th. Then this month of December, when I checked my account statement online, i was being charged again last Nov. 29 and i dont know why am i being charged. the description given was ODACCRUALCHAR which i guess stands for overdraft accrual charges. What is it po ba and when do they charge it to an account? Thanks in advance Ms. Nora, i hope you can enlighten me about it.
Hi BDO po account ko last month po ang atm ko ay may 44,088.21 at hinulugan din po ito ng friend ko ng 1500 or 9k so naging 45.500K na po cya tas ngayon nag withdraw ako sa metrobank atm machine ng 4000 laking gulat ko kc naging 39.214.16 na lng ang balance ko instead of 41.K..ngayon nasaan po ang 2K ko..nakaka lungkot kc akala ko safe ang pera ko dahil nasa banko ito..tad ngayon unti2 nawawala pera ko..
hello, can anybody tell me how much is the service charged using bdo atm card in Saudi arabia? thanks!
Good pm po… Paano po if nag issue ng check yung company, den ni receive nung binayaran nyo. After dat, they deposited it to their account, not seeing that there is discrepancy between the figure & words.. Napasok na raw po xa sa clearing… Kanino po i ma charge yung babayaran sa company po ba na nag issue ng check?
Hi paul c, wow! The words you’ve said are so encouraging! So inspiring! Means a lot to me. I’m happy if I’m able to help a bit, or if another person can make use of what I blog about. Thank you again. You’re so thoughtful, and you write well too. Wish you the best too! 🙂
I don’t know my atm pin anymore. 🙂 it was 2 years ago. but I know I left an amount not more than a hundred pesos back then. . .thank you… I haven’t seen him yet…but the answers you gave is more than enough and is so helpful to enlighten me…you’re actually a lot greater than their customer service! you’re awesome. I salute you. long live nora. thank you once more.
Hi paul, most comments posted here related to payroll accounts that are not closed despite not having been deposited to for several months are Metrobank payroll accounts. Based on these comments, I came to know that Metrobank’s practice now is to convert unused payroll accounts to savings accounts and writing account owners about the conversion. I’m thinking now that maybe Metrobank is doing this a a marketing strategy to increase their number of depositors.
About your friend’s case: did he make a balance inquiry through the atm, and saw a negative amount? Or was it the Metrobank letter that informed him he was charged a below-balance penalty? If he was informed of the penalty through the letter, he should make an atm balance inquiry and see if there might have been a deposit made to his account. There was one person who commented here that his former company deposited additional back-pay to his account, and he came to know about it only after all the money was wiped out by below-maintaining penalties. So in your case, make a balance inquiry through your atm, so you’ll know the status of your account, or if you have an additional back-pay 🙂
About accounts not being automatically closed and penalties being charged: Accounts are automatically closed only after the balance becomes zero or negative, so if the balance is, like 0.78, the account remains active, and then the usually-300-peso penalty is charged at the end of the 2nd month. The balance then becomes negative and it should automatically close.
About perpetual below-balance penalties: I have researched the MORB and did not find any regulation requiring bank account owners to close accounts in person at the branch. It’s common knowledge that if we leave our accounts untended, they’ll automatically close when they get to zero or negative. And I haven’t seen any penalty about not closing in person in lists of fees on many bank websites. The only penalty I have seen related to closure is closure of an account within 30 or 60 days after opening (some banks even put on hold 300 pesos of the balance within 30 days to make sure they can get the money if the balance is withdrawn in full within 30 or 60 days).
No, you should not be charged if you open a NEW account with Metrobank in the future. No, it would not affect your credit standing.
Yes, as you said, it’s not right if banks do that — forever charging for not closing your account in person.
hi mrs nora, I had a payroll account w/ metrobank. I resigned from my company last june 2014. since then, I was not using the card anymore. just few months ago, my friend from the same company I was with told me that metrobank was sending letter about automatically converting payroll account to savings account. he was surprised he got charged below maintaining balance fees just because he did not mind the letter. he asked me to go to the bank and cancel mine for I might have similar charges. im from quezon province and the bank is in quezon city. I don’t feel like going to manila just for that purpose. if I don’t do anything, will those balances accumulate to a point that I will end up having so much debt? or would it be void after several years? would they charged me if I open a new account in the future? and lastly would it affect my credit standing? I have a bpi credit card.
or is it even legal. what if nobody tells me anything about it? if I did not receive a letter? and I did not do anything forever. will I owe them hundreds of thousands. it doesn’t sound right, right? thank you nora.
Hi Trish, that’s true! Thanks for sharing. I also asked my employer years ago to use Xoom.
If you send money to philippines try xoom.com its faster than money remittance you will receive your money with 5 minutes
Hi joy, your money should be available within the day or the next day, or within 3 to 5 days, depending on the remittance company used.
my husband deposited money from jeddah bpi to my bpi account here in philippines. how long its gonna take for me to get it?
Thank you so much ms nora. You take care always
Hi Jepoy, really so bad and so sad, but that’s the policy of banks regarding late SPOs. 1,000 is for your bank; the other 1,000 is for your payee’s bank (different or the same bank) No, there’s no charge to the one who deposited the check. About the check, it already has stamp and mark that say “With stop payment order” (cannot be redeposited anymore), but if you like, you can get it back. Sure, you lost money, but everyone makes mistakes. Just tell yourself you paid some tuition fees, then learn from it. Some tips here about handling checking accounts.
They forgot to tell their depository to not deposit the check anymore. Do they also have charges or just me the issuer? Where will be my check now. Do i need to get it back po?
As of today i dont have anymore charges yet. Im hoping that will be all. What a stupid action. my 2000 is gone, my goodness.
Thanks for replying, Yes mrs nora i does have sufficient fund in my accounts. Yes youre right about the SPO i applied it late and the cheque was already deposited and its on clearing process so thats why the SPO was not honored and they told me that spo with insufficient and sufficient funds are both considered as returned check and will automatically charged 2000. Do you think that is acceptable even though i have a sufficient fund thats to much charging noh..
Hi Jepoy, I think your SPO was not applied because you made your SPO later than due date. You should have made the SPO days before June 15. I think your check bounced because you were charged 2,000 plus 200 pesos daily since June 15. But I’m puzzled because you said your checking account has an automatic-transfer facility (linked to your savings) so it should not have bounced. Was your savings account balance sufficient? But there are also banks that impose the same higher charges on SPO. So what you need to do is call your bank. There’s no harm in asking. Ask them to explain your charges and how to stop the charging without you closing your account. Regarding your deal, if you were in the right, why did they deposit the check if your purchase deal was off? But anyway, you said you learned your lesson and you won’t do it again. From now on, be careful in issuing checks.
At ms nora ano magiging epekto sa account ko yun sa problem na ginawa ko may pondo naman ako na charge pa din pala.. sana d na ko ng spo ngrefund na lng sana ako sa binayad ko. Sana wala na akong charge bukas kundi luging lugi na ako. 8k plus lng naman issue ko at kailangan ko pa ba kunin ulit sa pinagbigyan ko ng cheque ko na talbog na? Or kahit hindi na? Please advise me thanks. Need ko bang mgclose account? Stop spo or ok na yun at hindi na ako machacharge pa ulit at huwag na huwag ko nlng ulitin.
Hello po open ko lng experience ko ngayon. Nagtry ako mag SPO ng june 16 pero pinasok pa din ng inissuehan ko ng check sa bank nila dated check ko is june 15. Charge na ako 200 charge pa ako ng 1000 ng june 17 then charge padin ako ngaun 20 ng 1000. Yan na lang po ba charge ng bank sakin o araw araw ako charge ng 1000 hangang maubos savings account ko dahil automatic binabawas nila papunta sa combined sav & checking account ko. Hindi naman na kami natuloy sa pinurchase ko kaya akala ko ok lang mg spo. Un pala hindi. Kaltas charge to max hassle.. no idea kasi… hayssssss
You are heaven sent! I’m so happy I found this site…BIG THANK YOU!!!
Hi Manne, I’m not sure if there’s a bank here that allows a dollar account to be used for paying bills in pesos. But BPI gives you a way. Have a dollar and a peso account at BPI or BPI Family Savings or BPI Direct, and enroll them both in online banking. Use the Dollar to Peso service, then pay your enrolled bills in peso. Dollar to Peso transfer is available only during trading hours and days and has maximum limits per day/per month. Yes, the opening process is the same for dollar and peso.
Thank you Nora. So another question would be, if I have a dollar account, can I use this to pay my rent and bills which is in pesos. Another thing, is the process of applying for a peso account same for dollar account? Thank you so much for these wealth of information.
Hi Manne, you need to open a US dollar account so you can deposit your US check. Deposit before was free, but now most banks are charging at least $6 per check. You also wait for 2 weeks to a month for clearing. If this is about US pension, here’s info about direct deposit: Yes, you can keep your account open even if you move to another country — just remember to avoid dormancy (inactivity for 24 months). Which bank? Maybe it’s the bank that has a branch or a subsidiary in the country where you might move to. PNB and Metrobank have the most branches/subsidiaries overseas. BPI has BPI Europe in London.
Hi Nora,
I’m planning to move back to the Philippines. I need to open a bank account and I understand what they require to open one. My question would be, one, can I deposit a monthly US check to a peso account? Or would it better to open a dollar account instead and deposit the US check in there? Is there a deposit fee on this kind of transaction? And two, I wish to keep my account open even after moving to another country, which bank would be the best to use? Thanks for all your responses and information shared here. It’s very helpful.
Hi Catherine, so sad but I think they won’t refund the return check fee in this case because the check was really funded late. The check was returned to PCHC before 7 am of the 20th. But of course you should call your bank and try. Even if you’ll be denied, at least you tried. Call also about the 439 loan interest and ask it to be waived since you’ve been a good payor — this might have a better chance of being waived. Whew, that’s a lot of interest/penalty per day.
Hi Nora, Can the return check fee be waived? If yes, how? It was an honest mistake that I forgot the due date of my car loan with psbank and they charged me of 2200 pesos plus 439 for the interest. Instead of 19th, I funded my checking account the next day, 20th. I have been a good payer and this is the first time that it happened. Thanks in advance!
Hi Maam,
I just want to ask if magkano po ang service charge ng metrobank if mag transfer po tayo ng USD sa USD account natin sa Pilipinas.
Hi ligaya, have you checked your checking account balance? If your balance is around 8,500, it means your check was deposited by Citibank on the 18th (Friday before Sunday, 20th). If your post-dated check date is every 20th, Citibank will deposit it every 20th, even if your due date is 21st. Many banks deposit postdated checks due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday the business day prior to the check date.
Yes, your maintaining balance can be used to fund a check. Make sure to maintain your account in Jan 2016 so that you won’t be charged for below-maintaining-balance (the penalty is charged if not maintained for 2 consecutive months)
I issued post dated check to citibank.i dated it on every 20tj of the month.this month my statement of account due was dec 21st,2015.will it be possible that citibank will get the payment on the 21st?im not able to fund,since im planning to fund it on the 21st.will citibank get my maintaing balance on my checking account?i have funds around 12000 on that account and my due is only roughly 3500.do i still be charge as bounced check?pls answer me.thank you
BPI seems to be the best among the Philippines Top 3 Bank. I prefer BPI’s Easy Saver Savings Account. It has no maintaining balance which is great.
Hi Reyne, you asked about the option of opening another account, so I assume that your initial deposit was not that big that it was most likely wiped out already by the dormancy penalties, and that your account has already been closed. If this is true, then you can open a new account.
Hi Nora! I opened an ATM account in Metrobank last 2011 and I have not yet get the card until now. I still have the deposit slip. Last 2013, I received a letter from the branch operations officer of the bank and it says that my account will be dormant effective September 2013. What should I do? Should I ask my account to be active/reactivated or might have open another account? Thank you! 🙂
Hi ariel, go to your Metrobank branch and ask if you can reactivate your account, and if you need to pay a penalty, and how much. If cannot be reactivated, open a new account, and then ask your company to redeposit your salary to your new account. A better option is to talk with your HR or accounting dept. and ask for advice.
Hi my company deposit my salary to my metrobank account but to my surprise The account was already closed. I called metrobank already and they said that the money is floating. What do they mean for the word floating? How can I get my salary? Thank you.
Hi Nora,
Can the return check fee be waived? If yes, how?
It was an over sight that i left my BDO checking account short of 200 pesos for my car loan with ps bank and they charged me of 2200 pesos. I have been a good payer and this is the first time that it happened and I am already on my final payment for my car loan. ‘Appreciate your response.
Hi tina, if your account is Easy Saver, your account is still active. If it’s a regular atm savings account and your balance is below the 3k maintaining balance, it’s most likely your account is already closed. If closed, it’s better that you open a new account — BPI allows reactivation but you have to pay below-maintaining-balance penalties, and paying a big amount is not wise.
Hi Brian, yes, you can do that. You can also ask BPI UK to assist you in opening a Philippine-based BPI account. https://www.workingpinoy.com/2011/05/how-to-open-bpi-bank-account-in-uk/
Hello, my state pension is paid into uk nationwide bank, can I open bpi in uk so nationwide will transfer my pension then bpi remit to bpi bank in manilla to pay my intended house purchase. Thanking you Brian .
Hi i just wanna ask if my account in bpi will be still active even it is almost ten months i am not depositing and what steps i will do if its not activated ..thank you and godbless
Hi ron, I’ve read up on foreign judgments and reciprocity law, but I’m not so clear about everything. I’m not sure if they’ll be successful in filing a case — like what civil crime was committed in the Phils, what Philippine law was violated in the Phils, what evidences are available.
hi nora follow up question are they allowed to file a case here in the philippines. do they have jurisdiction to do that here. the name of the collection agency is bilkish and from what i read in some forums and blogs they are the worst. thank you. happy easter!
Hi ron, do you mean like a Citibank or HSBC credit card issued abroad? I think so. For big amounts, all banks always try to collect. They research info about the debtor and pay local affiliates or collectors to collect. I know someone whose neighbor incurred a big credit card debt in Dubai, and a collector went to the debtor’s house everyday to try to collect. What I know is the collectors never found the neighbor as the neighbor relocated.
hi nora, sorry i wasn’t able to reply to you last month regarding that mbtc acct. she’ll be coming hone this june to check her account. anyway i have one question with regards to credit card. are collection agent here in the philippines allowed to collect and harassed people for unsettled balance from another country? thank you.
Hi ron, I’m puzzled about their response that they cannot find it in their system. By the way, when was the last time your friend checked her balance? Because if she never checked before, there could have been a problem with the remittance process. Your friend should follow this up asap.
thank you nora. they say the account is already closed as they cannot find it in the system. the balance is more than 100k so I hope its just on hold.
Hi ron, when your friend stopped remitting to her account, how much was the balance? Was it 10k pesos or more? If 10k or more, her account should still be active, and her 10k should be in her account because her 10k is enough to cover the maintaining-balance requirement of regular passbook accounts (an OFW account is converted to a regular passbook account after 12 months without foreign remittance). A dormant account is charged only for dormancy if the account is below the maintaining balance. Did the bank say “closed”? The account should have been put on hold only, and your friend can reopen it by presenting valid IDs. Your friend should ask to reactivate her account.
i have a friend who open an ofw acct. with metrobank in dubai.for 5 years shes she’s sending remittances to the said account then it became dormant for 2yrs. when we try to deposit this month they said the acct is closed already. what happened to the deposit when we know its more than enough to cover the charges even if converted to regular savings account.
Hi,Can you suggest the best bank for a beginner professional worker? I graduated last year and I want to save money from my salary yet I don’t know what type of account and bank is the best to fit for me. -Patchi
Hi lita, the maintaining balance requirement is $500, so your account is compliant. Yes, your account is already dormant, but there should be no dormancy charge because your balance is well above the maintaining balance requirement. But it’s good to email BPI expressonline@bpi.com.ph and ask how you can reactivate your account while you’re abroad, so your balance will continue to earn interest. Mention where you live so they can check if they have a tie-up company there.
January 25, 2015 Hi. I live in Canada. more than two and a half years ago I opened a u.s. dollar account amounting to 7,000 at a bpi branch in my birth province, but eversince the time that it was opened, I never made any deposit or withdrawal. I am worried now that I may have to pay some penalties already for its inactivity.So my question is how much is the maintaining balance of a dollar account at BPI and am I going to pay penalties.I s it considered dormant that it needs reactivation, and if so, what shall I do?
Hi Angel, yes, the charging is continuous if the required ADB is not yet maintained. But if the account is already above ADB for the following month, it should no longer be charged. The account owner can complain if the charging is continuous even if the account is already restored to above required ADB. The penalty is charged at the end of the 2nd consecutive month that the required ADB is not maintained. If on the 3rd month, the ADB is still below, then the account is charged again at the end of the 3rd month. If on the 4th month, the account is already maintained, then there should be no more charge. How to compute ADB
Hi Ms. Once the service charge (P300.00) is deducted from bpi savings account, will this charge be deducted monthly even if the account is already above ADB? I read in another website that the charging is continuous even if the account is no longer below ADB. Thanks a lot
Hi Paolo, I believe that we should not pay for charges for depositing checks that will turn out to be unfunded, but there are banks that charge returned check fee to the depositor-payee so call your bank about returned check and check retrieval fees and about getting back the check through your representative. But I suggest that when you ask the bank, ask hypothetically because banks also want checks deposited in good faith.
Hello Nora,
I hope you are doing great upon receiving this message.
I loaned someone and she gave me checks in return.
But things dont go as what we agreed(payments and dates).
I would like to deposit that checks to have a bounced check in case things go legally.
She already told me that the account is already closed but I still need to deposit the check.
I would like to know if I will pay any fees once I try to retrieve the bounced check.
I also want to know if the bounced check can be received by a representatives.
Thank you very much.
Regards,
Paolo
Hi Janine, do you mean you have given a set of post-dated checks to the developer of the home you are buying? If yes, it seems your developer did not submit those checks to their bank for automatic encashment, or they’re not depositing the checks over the counter on the due dates, because if they did, then your checking account should have been closed already, as you said you’ve been very late in funding your account. Unless your account had enough funds to cover the penalties. I’m puzzled though about when they are depositing your post-dated checks, as your checks are not getting returned. Enroll your checking account in BDO online banking so you can track your account anytime online.
Hi! May I ask if my cheque acct will close if I’m delayed in my deposits to pay my housing loan equity? Last july 5, it was my payment due date but I was able to deposit july 28. The next due date was august 5 but I deposited Sept 4. I want to settle all my dues and penalties with BDO if I have. More thanks
Hi ann, are you sure you did not use your card for a new purchase? Is your card with you? Did somebody use it? Call 89-100 asap and ask if there’s a new purchase in your card account?
Hi.I need some advice.I have a bpi credit card and I always pay my minimum amount due before the due date online but when i checked it yesterday coz I’m about to pay I’m surprised I have a negative balance under my available limit and it’s added to my outstanding balance.
Hi Michelle, the usual basic penalty is 2000 pesos, regardless of amount. 1k goes to metrobank and the other 1k goes to the issuing bank, whether the same or different bank
Hi,
Just like to ask, yung 2k + 200 na penalty for every 40k na bounced check depende po ba yun sa amount ng check if 40k? How about if the check amount is only 7k how much po ang magiging penalty sa metrobank???
Hi Baby, if you meant opening your account in person here when you travel here, yes, I think you can open an account, but I think it would be easier opening an atm savings account with BDO or Metrobank. These banks usually approve checking account applications only from active clients or from those with referrals. Anyway, you can deposit your check into a savings account. Big banks here offer Direct Deposit accounts to US pensioners, so I’m assuming they’re accepting account applications from Filipinos who have immigrated. They’re accepting account opening from foreigners with ACRs. The usual requirements are 2 valid IDs, 1 ID photo, local address and phone no. Ask others too.
There’s a BDO remittance partner in Arlington, if you like to inquire if they’re offering Kabayan account opening:
DOLEX DOLLAR 700 Highlander Blvd., Suite 450 Arlington, TX 76015
Customer Service Center – 1.800.892.0210.
Email: info@dolex.com
Hello,
I live in U.S. permanently, but I would like to open a checking account in one of the bank in the Philippines, do you think I can be able to do that? I have a property that I would like to sell and in that case, I would like to deposit the proceeds to this checking account with either Metro Bank or BDO and transfer the money to my account in U.S. Do you know what other documents the bank would require if I open a checking acct?
Hi Home, I checked the maintaining balance for a Metrobank dollar account, and it’s 500 USD, so there should be no penalty charged for your dormant account since its balance is above 500.
Reactivating your account requires your personal appearance at the bank. But ask your nephew to go to or call Metrobank and ask if you can reactivate your account by sending a copy of your passport/valid IDs by postal mail from abroad plus a letter of request for reactivation.
Hello! I have a Dollar Account at Metrobank and this April 2014 I ask my nephew to deposit $1 to avoid dormancy but they said my account is INACTIVE already. I am out of the country and have no chance to visit my bank. I have $792 USD balance at my account. Do you know how much penalty fee I have to pay and how to reactivate my account again without going to the bank? Thank you for your help and advice.
Hi Jen, I think your OFW account was converted into a regular passbook account in Oct 2013 because you did not remit to it from abroad. Since the balance is below 10k (kasi sabi mo not much money left), the 300-peso penalty for below-maintaining-balance started in Dec 2013, then Jan and Feb — that’s 3 x 300 pesos. Yes, if it’s not worth it paying the service charge, just open a new account, and then enroll it in online banking so you can track it while abroad.
You can try BDO Kabayan account — it’s also a zero-maintaining-balance account; but you need to remit to it at least once in 12 months. But if you put 10k in it and not touch it, then even if it’s converted into a regular passbook account, it does not incur a penalty. But do not let 2 years pass without making at least 1 deposit or withdrawal transaction because it will become dormant.
After opening and depositing some amount, enroll it in online banking so you can check your balance while you’re abroad– you need to do the enrollment here in the Phils because you’re required to validate your enrollment via a BDO atm machine.
Hi! I am so glad I found you!
I opened an account overseas with Metrobank through the foreign exchange company here in Kuwait. I received a preembossed card and I deposited money in it. Went to Philippines that year for vacation and then have not touch the account eversince OCTOBER 2012.
I am still overseas and planning another Philippine vacation so I called the branch of the ATM card to inquire and they told me there is a service charge of 900pesos? How is this calculated?
I don’t think I left much money in the acct.
Do you think it’s better to just open a new account rather than reviving the old acct and paying the service charge?
What bank do you suggest that is more friendlier to overseas people?
Thank you so much
Hi aYTHEEN, BPI cash cards do not have a maintaining balance requirement, but they have an expiry date, after 2 years — written on your card. You said it was through online bank transfer, how so? Is this a remittance from abroad done through Xoom or other online remittance companies? You can go to your BPI branch and ask. You can ask your sender for the transaction reference no. and date of transfer and name of remittance company if there’s a company used.
i have an OFW BPI cash card,my friend deposited 200$ on my account, when i found out that my account was no longer effective,I believe that if it is OFW cash card they don’t require a maintaining balance, so how it was in effective already??? because i tried to withdraw the said money which was sent to me tru online bank transfer, and it said card is ineffective, what will i do then, do i have to go the bank and reactivate it??please help me what to .do
Hi rona, sori at nawala na ang iyong pera sa Metrobank mo at hindi mo na mababawi pa. Kasi ang maintaining balance ng Metrobank passbook account ay 10,000 pesos. Ang 2,900 mo ay naubos for monthly penalty na 250 pesos for falling below the maintaining balance. After about 12 months, naubos na sa penalty ang pera mo (250 x 12 months = 3,000).
Hi good morning. May run lng po akong tanong hindi ako nakapag deposit almost 2 years sa metro bank ngunit my bal pa ako 2,900 sa passbook account ko then nun pumunta ako sa metro bank para mag deposit ang sabi sa akin close na daw dahil matagal akong d naghuhulog. Paano po ba dapat kong gawin.
Hi jevie, I think your account is already closed. The branch in Leyte might allow you to reopen your account if you pay the below-maintaining-balance-penalty (300 pesos x 5 months). If you’re staying here in Metro Manila, I suggest you open a new account here.
Hello po. question q lng. My metrobank account has been zero balance for 6 months. well they automatically close my account? Kung hindi po, mgkano kaya ang mababayaran kung charges? And since i open my account in Leyte? Can i still be able to deposit a money here in manila? mgkanu din kya ang charges? kung pwd ko pang mahulogan?
tnx po,
jv
I really seem to agree with all the things that was in fact put into writing within “BPI,
BDO, Metrobank Fees — Why Keep Paying Them | Working Pinoy”.
Thanks a lot for pretty much all the actual tips.
Thanks for your time-Rick
Hi Naomi, if the bank told you it was converted into a regular savings account, I think you will be charged for the months it was below the maintaining balance because you’re reopening it. That would be around 10 or 11 x 300 pesos; it’s more practical to open a new account. But ask your BPI branch too.
Hi,
I’d like to ask about my BPI Savings account. Last year, it was a Payroll account opened by my previous employer. I resigned last September 2012 so it was changed into a Savings account by default. However, I was not able to deposit to the account since it was only recently that I’ve known it was converted to a Savings account.
Now, I’ll be using the BPI account as a payroll account once again (I submitted the details of my existing BPI account to my new employer). Only then I realized that BPI has service charges for not maintaining the MADB.
My question is, will I be charged the service charge for almost 1 YEAR of not maintaining the MADB of my account? Note that this will now be a payroll account by this month and payroll accounts do not have MADB.
Would appreciate your feedback.
Thank you very much!
Naoimi
Hi mike, I’m not a lawyer, but no, you cannot be sued, because the bank should have automatically close your account when it reached zero or negative. Over the years, all bank accounts (Metrobank, BDO, BPI, etc) that I left unattended all closed automatically and I never had any problem. You can read also at various Pinoy forums about this. Saka wala naman akong nabasa about the requirement to close one’s account formally sa rules sa mga passbook. Ang alam ko iko-close mo lang ang account formally kung gusto mong makuha up to the cents.
Palagay ko, napataon sa system glitch yong account mo, at hindi na-capture ng system, kaya meron ka pa ring online account. Opinion ko lang ha.
I had one Metrobank account which was automatically-closed account, and the account no. still appears in my online account (have other accounts with them), but if I click it, it says Record cannot be found.
Ask others too; post mo sa pinoymoneytalk.com forum or sa pinoyexchange.com forum
update from my last post dated aug 7th, opened pa rin yung account, at lumaki na yung negative balance. will i be sued for not paying service fee?
Hi mari, thanks for sharing info. will be a big help for others
Actually it was when I submitted all the reqt’s that they found out that I have an outstanding debt. They ask me to settle the said amount first before I open an acct. Anyways I’ll try with bpi and will let you know how it turned out. Thanks for your prompt reply. -mari22
salamat po sa reply. hindi sila credit account. savings at debit account yung isa. both of them have minimum maintaining balance of P2,000. malayo po kasi location nung bank, and im busy as well, kaya hindi ko naasikaso. siguro mas better hindi ko na check sa online access para close na lang nila. i sent them an email na rin naman notifying na i wont be using those accounts anymore. wala lang akong time magpunta ng bank.
Hi mari22, it’s my first time hearing about being rejected for that reason, unless you were opening a checking account. Banks are indeed strict with checking accounts. But if you were opening a savings account, I think you shouldn’t be rejected. But BDO must have a policy or reason that I don’t know yet. Yes, try BPI and other banks.
Hi I tried opening an acct with bdo, and was rejected cost of an outstanding debt from other banks.,, are all banks like this? What abt bpi? Are they the same? Thanks mari22
Hi mike, I’m puzzled your accounts are not yet closed, and that your Metrobank Internet banking is still active (unless you have a credit account with them). You should not be paying charges because these accounts should have automatically closed upon reaching zero or negative. Based on other banks’ policies, I think you’ll only be made to pay for the charges if you reactivate the accounts.
hello, i have 2 accounts with metrobank, a deit account and an atm account i recently had issues with them that prompted me to move my money to a different bank since last month. when i checked my account online, they are both negative now for falling below balance.
i plan to close these accounts formally. will i be paying the charges?
Hi youngmom, the Metrobank Mastercard prepaid card is newly launched, so there’s little info shared by users about it online. I checked this card at the Metrobank website, and it does not say something about online use. But based on the photo of the card, it has a 16-digit no. and an expiry date. If the card has a 3-security code at the back, then perhaps it can be used online. Or Metrobank is still looking into its online use, so it can’t yet be used online. The prepaid cards that you can use to book a flight or a hotel are these: BPI Mastercard prepaid card , Union Bank Eon Visa debit card , Smart Money card for online purchases , PSBank Mastercard prepaid card . To use any of these prepaid cards, you should load money before using.
Hello! Your such a great help.. I have read almost all of the comments but the metrobank prepaid crd was mentioned once.. If you could give me some information about it would be very hepful. Does it have an initial amount of deposit? can i use it to book flight in any airline? Can i use it in any hotel? I hope you will have time to respond.. thank you!
Hi Marbert, you can’t apply for a credit card at institutions here if you’re not here. For OFWs, what banks are offering are secured credit cards. You deposit an amount, which becomes your collateral. You cannot withdraw this amount until you surrender you card, or the bank has decided that you’re a good payor. Your credit limit will be about 80 to 90% of your deposit amount.
Hi,this is marbert meneses, presently working abroad(Khobar Saudi Arabia) just want to apply a credit card under BDO or Metrobank.
Thank you so much.
God Bless….
Hi Manuel, yes, Metrobank is an accredited SSS pension partner. Based on Metrobank’s website, there’s a maintaining balance of 100 pesos for SSS pension accounts, whether passbook or atm. You’ll be charged 300 pesos if you don’t maintain 100 pesos for 2 consecutive months. So always leave 100 pesos there.
Just want to verify if Metrobank is an affiliated bank for SSS pensioners. Just in case,is there a need to meet their maintenance balance as usually pension for retirement is relatively small.
Your post is very helpful. now i know the reason why my bdo account is full of charges!
welcome po..sa mga want po ako i add thru facebook heres my account princeyuri25@yahoo.com thanks a lot..
Hi yuri, thanks, that’s sweet. Take care too! Hope you resolve your legal concern soon.
thanks po sa info..happy weekend and easter sunday..take care always
Hi yuri, have you tried pinoylawyer.org? You can try PAO if the phone is not so busy: 24/7 central office counselling via hotline : +(63-2)-9299436 Local 159 (After Office Hours) Email. pao_executive@yahoo.com. Walk-in queries are also entertained at Department of Justice Action Center (DOJAC) along Padre Faura. The College of Law of these schools also offer legal aid: UP, San Beda and San Sebastian
if anyone knows free legal advice and can assure that they response..i try several times here to search and to sent a mail but no one response..can u give me even one lawyer who can give legal advice for free and can answer my problems as soon as possible thanks.
what i mean..before my account was zero..almost 2 to 3 months,,but the bank dont closed my account,the time i deposit money it automatically deducted it..its a bank rule..the maintaning balance of metro bank to avoid deduction is 2000 pesos..if the time your bank account was closed its better to go in the bank personally..the bank give only one chance to reactivate the bank account..in short to avoid problems in the future just obey the bank policy..other client they dont reactivate there account because the time they reactivate it u should pay the monthly penalty of the bank.thats why clients dont want to reactivate and they request new account..
avoid your bank account will be closed because we never know if the bank give u chances to reactivate it..but based on my experience bank give to reactivate your bank account only once..if it is happen you should go to the bank personally..just read my previus message here..thanks
hello..dont worry if your account in metro bank is zero..before i have a metro bank..almost 3months i never deposit even one peso..but my account was not close..but the time i deposit .the bank deducted my money that i deposited.,but its ok because its the bank rules..but i advice you never do what i did..if u can deposited do it..my maintaining bakance of metro bank is 2000 pesos based on my experience..
Hi TedOfNod, in the past, Metrobank had some of its banks open during holidays. If you can see a branch open, then make a deposit. If not, then try to make a balance inquiry on April 1, and if it’s still active, you make a deposit. About how much, it depends Is this the atm account? The one whose maintaining balance requirement is 3k? Make sure that you maintain the balance requirement this April to avoid 2 consecutives months of falling below the required maintaining balance. Some banks allow reactivation of accounts after closure but they charge penalties; some do not allow. http://www.banksphilippines.com/2012/04/ano-ang-minimum-monthly-average-daily.html
Hi yuri, it’s great that BPI treated you well and you have great appreciation for them. best regards
Thank you very much sir, you’re helping so many people with their banking problems. I hope you can help me with mine.
Problem:
My account hit zero when I withdrew from an ATM two days ago (March 26), though i believe I still have a few cents in there. From what I’ve read, Metrobank closes accounts when they hit zero.
Questions:
1. With the few cents still in my account, will it be counted as a “zero balance”?
2. I want to save my acct. How much time do I have to deposit before the bank closes my acct.?
3. If the bank has already closed my acct., may I reactivate it? And could you tell me how?
Your welcome po..yes its good to hear that the bank especially bpi that they give a chance even once to reactivate the inactive account..and also even the account is closed ,you can request a copy of statement of account..most important if others encounter this kind of problem its better to go personally in the bank..staff bpi are kind and it help u the best that they can do to thier clients..thanks again and takecare.
Hi yuri, thanks a lot for sharing your experiences. Others will learn from your experience. It’s good that they granted your request even if your account was not reactivated.
Also the bank can give only one chance to reactivate your bank account but u need to pay the previus month or the penalty ..or if u dont like ..good to have new account.,base in the bank where i enrolled..
Hello po..i went to bpi a while ago.ang thanks God that they granted my request to give a copy of my statement of account. My atm card possible to reactivate but only one chance..in the next time that it will close the bank never give u another chance.but even i dont reactivate it the important is they give me a copy of my bank statement..within 1 week i will recieve it..thanks again po..
Hi yuri, I think if a court orders BPI to produce a statement for a recently closed account, the bank will. Have you gone to your bank to ask about reactivation?
After all the deduction monthly the customer will not satisfy the services that they have even a back up bank statement the time that the account is inactive..i hope that all bank here innthe philippines will provide or have a system that can track a record even the account is inactive..
Grabe naman bangko natin here in the philippines.even a back up files of statement of account wala..what if the court asking a copy of statement of account even it is inactive,the bank will answer the question that they cannot give..wala talaga silang record ..haist
Hello..yes they closed my atm account without any letter or email came from the bank..or maybe they dont do this because they know before they closed they explained it to me the time i open a bank account thru atm..im only recieve a letter once buts not a letter of informing to close my account..only welcome and thanks letter that i open a bank account in bpi..so u mean that i cant get a copy of my statement of account ..if theres any possible way thst the bank can give my previus account even it is inactive.
Hi yuri, you mean they already closed your account? They must have a valid reason why they closed your account. You go to your bank with your IDs and ask if you can reactivate your account. If not, then you open a new one. Usually, you cannot get a statement of account if your account is closed — it’s nearly the same as not having an account.
Thanks po sa replied..ask ko lang po sana..if possible po ba na mareactivate nila yun and possible to request my previus bank statement of account..if theres any circumstances same story that possible it can happen to reactivate bank account in the philippines
Hi yuri, banks close accounts if these accounts have zero balances or if they fall below the maintaining balance for 2 consecutive months and there’s no more balance to deduct the penalty from. Visit your branch and ask them if you can reactivate your account and the amount of penalty you will pay. After it has been reactivated, then you can request for a statement of account.
Sir bakit un sim kahit inactive pwdi mareactivate..kahit na p.u,k pwdi pa din reactivate.,but the bank account the time na madisclose the bank said it never reactivate..and the statement of account cannot find..kasi po i need a copy if my statement if account in bpi..if theres any possibility that i can get a copy of my statement of account..sir i need your advice po and if may na encounter na po kayo same circumstances like my problem in bpi..tnx po ..pm princeyuri25@yahoo.com
Hello po..pa advice naman po..kc po last january 2013 na disclose po account ko sa bpi..last october 2012 po nagwithdraw ako at ang natira nalang sa atm ko is 1000plus..by february 2013 naiwithdraw ko pa po un 1000..nakaonline banking po ako b4..kaso etong march 2013 i tried to log in thru internet banking iit said that my account was disclose.i call customer care and he said that january 2013 my account disclose.eh how it could happen nakapagwithdraw pa ako last february 2013.i want to request a copy of my bank statement but the bpi staff told me that they cannot provode because my account was closed.if any possibility that i can request a copy of my statement of account kahit na po magbayad ako ng penalty.importante po kasi..sir can u replied me in private kc po bihira po ako mag online..princeyuri25@yahoo.com email address thanks a lot
Hi jes, is this a regular passbook account? The maintaining balance requirement is 5k. If it’s an atm account, go to your branch and ask.
I dpostd last mnth 5.150k my total blance nw is 8133 my sister dpostd 1k nw i just withdraw 1k and my blance is nw 7331 and yet id nevr wthdraw aside frm 1k and planing tdposit ths maRch.my blance bfore was 2900 then i dpostd 5150 hw cme that they deduct 300 e mnthly me nag huhulog p bdo,how come?