Enough cash in ATMs during APEC meet, banks assure public

MANILA, Philippines – Banks have assured the public of enough cash in automated teller machines (ATMs) as the Philippines hosts the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting this week.

Cesar Virtusio, managing director of the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), said in a public advisory that member banks have ensured availability of cash in their ATMs as Malacañang has declared Nov. 17 to 20 as non-working holidays for government workers and similarly for Nov. 18 and 19 for workers of private companies.

“Banks have put into place mechanisms to ensure availability of cash in their ATMs and to address security concerns, as their usual practice during long holidays,” Virtusio stated in the advisory.

He urged the banking public to check with their respective banks as to which branches would be open and the financial services that would be available during APEC week.

The BAP said branches of various commercial banks in Metro Manila would operate on a “business as usual” mode on Nov. 17 and 20 while selected bank branches would remain open on Nov. 18 and 19.

On the other hand, BAP said provincial or branches of commercial banks outside Metro Manila or National Capital Region (NCR) would observe regular banking hours on Nov. 17 to 20.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has suspended foreign exchange as well as bond or government securities trading from Nov. 17 to 20 but the Philippine Clearing House Corp. would be open on Nov. 17 and 20 to accept and process checks sent for clearing by banks.

BDO Unibank Inc. has informed its clients that selected branches in Metro Manila and NCR would operate on shortened banking hours during the APEC summit on Nov. 18 and 19.

The country’s largest bank in terms of assets and deposits and owned by retail and banking magnate Henry Sy Sr. pointed out branches outside Metro Manila and NCR would follow regular banking schedule.

Likewise, BDO added ATMs and electronic banking would continue to handle transactions and other banking services. BDO has more than 1,000 operating branches and over 3,000 ATMs nationwide.

Also Sy-owned, China Bank announced half of its 148-strong network in Metro Manila would operate to provide banking services on Nov. 18 and 19.

A total of 76 branches in Metro Manila would operate on a shortened banking schedule on Nov. 18 and 72 branches would open on Nov. 19.

On the other hand, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. said a total of 28 banks in NCR would be open from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 18 while 22 banks would be operational from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 19 and all branches outside Metro Manila would be business as usual.

It added that all e-channels including Metrobankdirect Online Banking, Mobile Banking, Phone Banking and ATMs would be operational 24/7.

“Processing of fund transfers will be real time, while bills payment will be on the next banking day,” Metrobank said.

Metrobank is pursuing its coverage expansion strategy to improve customer accessibility with a network of 939 branches and 2,183 ATMs nationwide.