BancNet remains No.1 with 59 members in 2009

BancNet cemented its position as the largest electronic banking consortium in the country with 59 members as of Dec. 31, 2009, its roster bolstered by ten new members. BancNet is also the only multi-bank, multi-channel payment gateway in the country.

The new members include three banks that moved from another network -- Philippine National Bank (PNB), Equicom Savings Bank and Maybank Phils. The others are China Bank Savings, Wealth Bank, Entrepreneur Bank, Optimum Development Bank, Rural Bank of Dulag, Gubat St. Anthony Cooperative, and News Multi-purpose Cooperative.

BancNet’s network grew by 28.65% to almost 4,000 ATMs nationwide, also the largest in the country. PNB contributed 400 ATMs to this growth.

Upon joining the consortium last year, PNB president Omar Byron Mier said “Our depositors can now start availing themselves of BancNet’s services particularly debit shopping or payment using their ATM card and online filing and payment of SSS contributions and loan payments”.

The new members boosted the number of BancNet ATM cardholders which reached 8.4 million at yearend 2009, increasing by 1.5 million or 22.85%. The three ATM networks have a combined cardholder base of 23.7 million.

A record number of switched transactions was registered last December 23 at 1.89 million. These are intra-network and internetwork balance inquiry and withdrawal transactions that passed through the BancNet switch. Total volume of switched transactions during the year rose 46.1% to 286.6 million compared to 2008.

BancNet also expanded its payment terminal network to 11,435 terminals in more than 2,700 retail establishments where its cardholders can pay using their ATM cards. They can also pay their bills to 76 merchants either through the ATM, www.bancnetonline.com, or their mobile phones.

According to BancNet president Francisco Caparros, Jr., “BancNet continues to grow because of its passion for innovation which is behind the development of the wide range of services that its members and cardholders enjoy. We always explore ways to make banking easier and more convenient for our customers. This,and the efficient use of technology, are our edge over the other consortia.”

“For instance, last year, we enabled our ATM cardholders to pay their Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines booking online using their ATM cards. Before, only credit cards were accepted online. Soon they will also be able to order and pay for goods and services using their mobile phones,” he added.

Pay for Cebu Pacific bookings with your ATM card

BancNet member ATM cardholders can now book their desired Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) flights online at www/cebupacificair.com and pay direct from their ATM accounts using their ATM cards. Asia’s third largest low-cost carrier and leading domestic airline, Cebu Pacific and the country’s largest electronic banking network BancNet recently launched this service for the convenience of travelers who do not have credit cards or do not want to use their credit cards to pay for their air tickets. This payment option is available for regular fares as well as for seat sales for any of CEB’s 32 domestic destinations from Manila, Clark, Cebu and Davao.

BSP Governor Toasts BancNet

Bangko Sentral ng Philipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco was the guest of honor at BancNet’s celebration of a banner year as it marked its 19th Anniversary last July 17. Governor Tetangco offered a toast for the consortium’s continued success during the event held at the ballroom of Intercontinental Hotel in Makati. He was joined by BSP Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla and Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) president Aurelio Montinola III. In his opening remarks, BancNet president Francisco Caparros, Jr. welcomed new members of the consortium. A record number of new members joined BancNet during its 19th year, bringing the total membership to 54, including two affiliate networks. The new members are led by the Philippine National Bank (PNB) which moved from another consortium last June. During the year, BancNet also recorded its highest transaction volume which doubled compared to the previous year. Board Chairman Ricardo Chua, on the other hand, renewed BancNet’s commitment to continue exploring and introducing electronic banking innovations in order “to reach out to more customers and cater to more types of day-to-day transactions for the ordinary man.” “The Bancnet infrastructure will continue to be a lifeblood connecting business and people”, he said.

BancNet redefines the card
by Carina Roncesvalles
July 17, 2009 The Philippine Star

Gone are the days when everything is paid for in cash. With the growing trend of cashless transaction, BancNet redefines the automated teller machine (ATM) card in a bid to strengthen service to its 7 million cardholders.
Cash withdrawal through the ATM is a common task. But BancNet, the non-stop banking network empowers the cardholder to shop and pay bills using the ATM card. A BancNet ATM card is not just a means to get hold of cash anytime. It has become an indispensable tool for the people on the go who love to shop and prefer to pay bills in a snap.

BancNet makes ATM a reliable shopping tool for self-confessed shopaholics, on-the-go professionals, and for the whole family – from busy mothers, techie fathers, trendy teenagers and playful youngsters.
BancNet, the largest ATM consortium with 54 member banks, subscribers and affiliates, holds 8,955 payment terminals at point of sale (POS) at 1,972 merchant sites as of 2008. Debit payments amounted to P2.74 billion from a volume of 2.31 million transactions last year.

BancNet president Francisco Caparros, Jr. says cashless shopping through the debit system elevates the lifestyle of Filipinos. “Cashless shopping provides the benefits of convenience and security. Every payday, we expect long queues at the ATMs. With cashless shopping, one need not go to an ATM to get cash but may go directly go to the cashier and pay using his ATM card. This is also a very secure mode of payment when compared to cash and credit card.”

PNB moves to BancNet

Philippine National Bank (PNB) has joined BancNet, the largest electronic banking consortium in the country.

 “ By joining BancNet, our depositors can now start availing themselves of BancNet’s services particularly debit shopping or payment using the ATM card and online filing and payment of SSS contributions and loan payments by our corporate clients”, said PNB president Omar Byron Mier.

PNB is one of the largest private commercial banks on the Philippines ranking 4th in terms of assets. It is in process of merging with Allied Banking Corporation and PNB will be the surviving entity.

PNB is BancNet’s 50th member. The Bank’s 400 ATMs nationwide will expand BancNet’s network to 3,778 ATMs. BancNet ATM cardholders now number more than 7 million.

PNB’s 2 million ATM cardholders will be able to pay their purchases at close to 2,000 retail establishments in Metro Manila and key urban centers across the country using their ATM card. These include top retailers such as SM, Robinsons, Rustan’s, Ever Group, Landmark, Crossings, Puregold, Duty Free, Ansons, specialty shops under Robinsons Retail and Store Specialists, Lacoste Foorwear and Nike Women.

PNB ATM cardholders working abroad will also be able to remit their SSS contributions via BancNet Online, an Internet Banking facility.

The Bank’s corporate clients, on the other hand, can remit their employees SSS contributions and loan repayments conveniently and securely through BancNet’s SSSNet online system.

BancNet president Francisco Caparros, Jr. welcomed PNB to the BancNet family saying; “We are happy and proud to have PNB in our network. This development boosts BancNet’s growth and strengthens its position as the leading electronic banking network in the country.”

BancNet invites Southern Tagalog rural banks

While BancNet continues to attract big banks, it also continues to accept smaller banks. There are now a total of 16 rural banks in the BancNet network. This was cited by BancNet president Francisco M. Caparros Jr. during his talk in the recently concluded 2009 Annual Management Conference of the Confederation of Southern Tagalog Rural Bankers.

Regardless of size, banks that want to go into ATM banking may either directly connect with BancNet or contact an existing member bank like Quezon Capital Rural Bank (QCRB) who as aggregator, recently acquired its first subscriber, Entrepreneur Bank of Laguna. They may also connect through affiliate switch network, Nationlink or affiliate ATM deployer, CTK. A bank may avail of BancNet’s products and services as long as it meets certain accreditation criteria.

By joining BancNet, rural banks will be able to provide e-banking services with minimal investment and quick, hassle- free implementation. They will benefit from the industry leader’s large network of delivery channels which include over 3,100 ATMs nationwide and 8,000 payment terminals deployed in major supermarkets, department stores and specialty shops. Other channels include the Internet and mobile banking capable of all ATM transactions except cash withdrawals.

Rural banks can also use BancNet’s e-channels in the disbursement of loan proceeds to and accept loan repayments from micro-financing customers and in the process accelerate the growth of small and medium enterprises in the countryside.

“I would like to invite you (rural banks) to explore the wonderful world of e-banking through BancNet, our members and affiliates”, said Mr. Caparros as he concluded his talk.  

Robinsons Bank moves to BancNet

Robinsons Savings Bank, the financial services arm of the JG Summit Group recently moved to BancNet from rival consortium Megalink. The bank has 73 ATMs nationwide many of which are located in Robinsons malls. These boost BancNet’s network which now has 3,130 ATMs. For BancNet’s 6 million cardholders, this spells greater convenience because of more strategic locations where they can transact.

“We wanted our ATM depositors and other clients to have access to more services that BancNet offers. Foremost is its electronic payment service for shoppers in various department stores, supermarkets and shops. Others are Internet banking, mobile banking and facilities for payment of taxes and SSS contributions,” said Robinsons Bank president and CEO Reynold Gerongay.

According to Robinsons Bank Chair Lance Gokongwei, “We saw opportunities for synergy with other companies in the JG Summit Group. For instance, Cebu Pacific Air tickets can now be paid online by BancNet cardholders via debit to their ATM account.”

Robinsons Bank has 46 branches all equipped with ATMs. Three of these on-site ATMs posted the highest transaction volumes among Megalink member banks in 2008. The bank has over 120,000 ATM cardholders.

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