Metrobank puts premium on ATMs

The automated teller machines (ATMs) will continue to play an important role in the growth strategy of Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank).

Metrobank’s operations group head Dennis G. Suico said that the use of ATMs in the country is increasing and it is moving beyond simple cash withdrawal and account inquiry.

"Our Metrobank E.T. ATM has evolved into a flexible channel for more diverse transactions including bills payment, automatic debit facility, and international cash withdrawal," Suico said, adding that over 80 percent of their clients actively use their ATMs," reported Suico.

The bank’s cardholder base grows by at least 20 percent year-on-year.

ATM account holders can also buy prepaid mobile phone PINs for any of the major telecommunications carriers as well as funds transfer between Metrobank and 26 other BancNet-member banks.

All clients have to do is enroll the account at their depository branch. Enrollment is free of charge.

The bank official said that a high service uptime is crucial even for the bank’s acquiring business, which means that non-Metrobank cardholders are able to use its ATMs anytime for a small transaction fee.

The bank recorded over 120 million ATM transactions in 2006, including proprietary and other transactions.

"With our monitoring system and quick-response teams, our service availability record levels are now at over 99 percent," said Suico.

Metrobank’s 24/7 monitoring center watches over the network to ensure that all machines have enough cash and are trouble-free, especially on weekends and holidays when branches are closed.

"All machines are Triple DES compliant. This is a standard international security measure that protects our clients, especially with their PINs," Suico pointed out. Metrobank introduced the country’s first talking ATM in 1990.

After almost two decades, it maintains the largest network of ATMs within the BancNet consortium, boasting of 724 machines nationwide, with 390 in Metro Manila, 146 in the rest of Luzon, 107 in Visayas, and 81 in Mindanao.

ATM cardholders can use their cards to pay for their purchases in department stores, supermarkets, furniture and appliance stores, including bills at the Manila Doctors Hospital.

There are currently 266 BancNet-credited merchants in over 1,300 locations using more than 6,700 terminals nationwide.

"Aside from an expanded number of ATMs, Metro-bank E.T. ATM cardholders stand to benefit from partnerships with various establishments and increased the number of point-of-sale (POS) terminals through BancNet," Suico added.