⌛ Metrobank Issues

Maybe anyone here has the same problem like me. I open an account in Metrobank in 2003 and when I left Philippines in 2004, I left my account open with a big amount money on it. But before I left, I talked to the manager about the account and want to have access it here in the USA. He told me that your atm will work here as long as it has maestro and cirrus. Nobody told me that they are charging a fee 200 pesos a month if there is no activity going in the account for two years. My account has been dormant for about 5 years without informing me. I give them my address and everything phone number and I just receive their notice telling me that my account was dormant. I was pretty mad when I read it because all of those times they have been taken money out of my account for a fee. I have to activate it again sending them the papers that's needed. It is a big headache when dealing with Philippine business when I am here in America. They dont understand that their atm card doesn't work here in California where I lived. I have been making phone call like 100 times already and they still can't tell me how their atm card work. It might work in the Philippines but sure is not working here in California. So everything they told me was a lie and their atm card is a big joke. Anyone here have this experience please cos I know I am not they only one have this problem. By the way...that metrobank i was talking about is located at Dr. V. Locsin St. Dumaguete.

 

I have that problem about 5 years ago, so I put it as a lesson learned, charge to experience.
It's not just Metrobank but almost all the banks, so if you leave the area, better withdraw all your money and take it with you, unless you have somebody you trust in Dumaguete that can maintain the account.
Equitable Bank ATM that I have worked in the US.

 

I used my Metrobank ATM card in Singapore, Denmark and Thailand so far... and I haven't had any problems withdrawing money from it anywhere.

The Dane

 

Perhaps if you had put some of your savings into rollover CDs this issue might have been prevented. The rollovers would qualify as activity avoiding any dormant account fees. I chose BPI for my savings because they offered online access, most important for me.

 

Metrobank Issues

We made a big mistake for leaving that account open with money. Right now I am trying to have access on online banking. I am closing that account as soon as we are home in Dumaguete. Thanks guys for replying this thread.

 

Banco De Oro

We started with Equitable Bank, it was took over by B.D.O., been nothing but trouble ever sense. We will be back in Dumaguete this July and will be changing banks then. I have found B.D.O. very hard to deal with.

 

what about sending money always to your account. would this be enough for the account to be going for years. like for me. i only send to the philippines and check for balances here abroad. now i am using BPI. i hope this wont close.

 

Go for BPI, but make sure you tell them you want to be able to access your account online, otherwise you'll have the same problem as with other banks.

 

Metrobank Issues

I am not going to open any account or transfer to any bank in the Philippines anymore. Right now I want to have access to my account online and yes I was able to make a direct deposit into my account and then call the bank for current balance. Just a little bit patience until I am back in Dumaguete and close this account. I know about B.P.I. but I got stuck with Metrobank and I am too far to do anything right now especially with the paper work. Well.......Metrobank just lost their good customer.

 

Another thing...when i talked to the Metrobank manager about this problem he seems like he doesn't know what to do and how to correct the problem. So he just keep me hanging telling me I will send you the forms for the atm card and have your family or relative to come down for pick up. He just pass me around until I am tired and there is no place to make a complain. He has trouble telling me that it is their policy to have 6 digits pin number and there is no way to change it. Also, we went to their branch here in California and ask if we could check my balance, they never allow me. And we ask if we could make a deposit to my account and make sure the money will get there, they said it is not guarantee. So...what kind of a branch is this that they are proud of.