Metrobank gears for all-weather banking

The Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) has continued to embrace technology as its partner in expanding its reach and promoting convenience to the banking public.

Before the end of 2008, bank customers will be able to call a single phone number to get support for retail banking services.

Metrobank executive vice president Fabian S. Dee likewise added that the bank is taking bolder steps regarding the utilization and maximization of user-friendly mobile banking.

”All told, our intent is to make ‘all-weather-banking’ the hallmark of our self-service channels, giving our customers more freedom and choices,” Dee said.

Metrobankdirect, the bank’s Internet banking facility for the corporate and retail markets, have long had functionalities that are comparable to the best in the world. “It is certainly a capability that we will push more actively.”

Metrobank president Arthur Ty revealed that the bank continues to invest in technology to keep the bank’s services attuned to customer needs.

”Nobody can expand their business without the advantages offered by technology,” Ty said, adding that technology can drive decision-making, automation, reach, and control.

Real time information gathered with the help of technology allows bank executives — and even branch managers — to make critical decisions on how to do their business.

Proof of the seriousness of the Metrobank Group in information technology (IT) is that it invested in two IT-related firms.

Technology also increases its reach as well as accessibility to the banking public, as reflected in the use of automated teller machines (ATMs), phone banking, Internet banking, and mobile banking.

But naturally, there is nothing like the personal touch which only branches can attain.

The commercial bank operates 547 branches domestically although it goes up to 710 if the 163 branches of the Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) are included. PSBank is the thrift bank of the Metrobank Group of Companies.

It likewise operates 779 ATMs, off-site and in all the branches. The ATMs are part of Electronic Teller banking, or Metrobank E.T. From the simple 24-hour cash withdrawal and account inquiry, the Metrobank E.T. evolved into a flexible channel for more transactions that include bills payment, funds transfer and inter-bank fund transfer, automatic debit facility, international cash withdrawal, check book re-order and even purchase of prepaid mobile phone PINs.

Through the bank’s affiliation with Cirrus-Maestro (Mastercard), cardholders of the Metrobank E.T. can access their accounts through over a million Cirrus Maestro ATMs and POS terminals in 210 countries.

The increase in ATM coverage has led to a corresponding increase in usage. 

As of June of this year, Metrobank registered 55.62 million ATM transactions, 29.62 percent of which are from the use of Metrobank’s ATM facility by local and international non-Metrobank cardholders. The bank also boasts of its current record of above average 99 percent service availability.

Meanwhile, Dee said that Metrobank’s dominance and leadership stems from years of strategic presence and strong customer partnerships, which is still the case today.

”The reach of Metrobank’s branch network ensures our strong presence in all the major cities, municipalities and strategic locations across the country,” he added.

The executive vice president explained that location is crucial in branch banking, to achieve maximum coverage. Branches are not all in just one place, but are dispersed in areas where bank customers will find it most convenient.

Branch expansion continues to be viable as the bank seeks new locations and service areas hand-in-hand with periodic review of its current locations.

”It is important to note that while we have become more selective in opening new branches since applying certain organizational and process changes, we have also substantially increased not only our sales force but also our service capabilities particularly in the areas of branch sales and cash management,” the bank executive said.

Recently, Metrobank opened branches in San Nicolas in Ilocos Norte, Cavite Economic Zone in Rosario, Cavite; TriNoma Mall in Quezon City, Domestic Airport in Pasay City, Frontera Verde in Pasig, Commonwealth in Quezon City, Waltermart in North Edsa, Urdaneta Nancayasan in Pangasinan, Cebu-Parkmall and Cebu-Mactan MEPZ, both in Cebu City.

It is growing internationally with the recent approval of a sub branch in Shanghai, mainland China. It has a total of 37 international branches and offices in 21 countries, alliances with remittance companies, 40 remittance tie-ups, and more than a thousand correspondent bank arrangements.

It has presence in the United States, Canada, the Middle East, Taiwan, Shanghai, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Italy, UK, Spain, and Austria.

And there will still be more as Metrobank expands not only for the Filipino bank clients domestically and overseas, especially in the remittance business.

Bank expansion overseas also means business with foreign clients towards the Philippines and vice versa, and foreign business to other parts of the world.                        — Ted Torres