Not too long ago, the only way to get hold of a savings account was to physically visit a bank. Today, with lots of technological advancement, opening a savings account with just a couple of clicks on your mobile device is fast becoming the new norm.

Leading the change on this front is PSBank, which recently launched the Online Account Opening feature of its mobile banking app. The bank’s primary reason for this feature is simple -- to make banking hassle-free and safe for Filipinos by bringing the first step of digital banking right at their fingertips.

In choosing a banking app, here are the top five must-haves:

ADVANCED/CUTTING-EDGE FEATURES. Suffice it to say, times have changed. With online banking, you get to do a variety of financial transactions while at the safety of your home. What’s cool about the PSBank Mobile app is you can now open a peso savings or prepaid account via the app with just one valid ID and a selfie. It also offers a wealth of built-in money management features and powerful functionalities which lets you do your banking requirements such as pay bills, transfer funds using account number or QR code, monitor your accounts in real-time, P2P payment using PayMe, grow your money through time deposit placement, apply for a loan, even deposit checks 24/7 and a lot more in between watching your favorite shows on Netflix or while sipping a cup of coffee at home.

CONVENIENCE. Let’s face it—who has time to wait in line and accomplish transactions within limited banking hours? There’s a lot you can do with the time you’ll spend visiting a bank. The simple, intuitive design and navigation of the PSBank Mobile app allows you to complete banking tasks with just a few taps on your smartphone and the app wherever you are, whenever you want. Yup, that’s as quick and easy as it gets.

SECURITY. With the rise in cyber fraud and financial scams, you would definitely need assurance that your hard-earned savings or accounts are secure. What’s great about the PSBank Mobile app is you can securely log in to the app using either face or fingerprint ID and transactions are authenticated by an OTP (One-Time Password) sent to your registered mobile phone. Moreover, the app has an ATM Lock feature which allows you to lock/unlock your ATM card account/s to prevent it from unauthorized use.

CONTROL. Nothing beats being able to access, manage, and move money as you see fit – from anywhere at any time. In addition to being able to perform banking tasks, you can also schedule transactions with the all-around PSBank Mobile banking app so you will not fall behind on your bills, forget to send money or reload your mobile phones. It also has and allows you to manage alert notifications for things like loan due date, withdrawal and other debits, and account balances.

24/7 ACCESS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE. Well-designed mobile banking apps make it clear how to get help fast. Assistance via the PSBank Mobile app come with a simple tap and in the form of LiveChat, phone, email or filling out an online form. The PSBank Mobile banking app truly packed with powerful functionalities and more. It’s one of the most complete, reliable, and user-friendly banking apps in the market today. “Our commitment to innovation, convenience, and safety is what drives us to keep adding new features in our mobile banking app that we know would be of great help to Filipinos who live in an ever-increasing digital world. And we’re just getting started. There’s so much more to look forward to in the coming months,” said Noel Tuazon, PSBank Senior Vice President & Marketing Group Head. Download the PSBank app from Apple Store or Google Play Store today. For more information, please visit psbank.com.ph/other-products-and-services/other-products-and-services/product-lists/psbank-online-account-opening/

Travelling is a great way to unwind and enjoy what life has to offer, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be mindful of your safety. ​

Scams abound in every part of the world. As the travel industry grows in popularity, scammers and other criminals are also growing in numbers, devising ways to trick unsuspecting tourists from transportation overcharge and forced purchases to ATM skimming and credit card fraud. ​

PSBank advises travelers to exercise caution when setting foot in foreign lands. Here are some safety measures you can take for a scam-free and enjoyable vacation: ​

Inform your bank or Credit Card Company if you're travelling outside of the country.

Although most banks have systems in place where they will send you an SMS alert to confirm a purchase before they are processed, and/or a text message and email notification to inform you of your transactions, you will be helping your bank monitor and secure your accounts from any suspicious usage by informing them of your travel plans. This way your bank won’t assume that your debit, prepaid or credit card is being used fraudulently and block it. ​

Be wary of public wifi.

Hackers can easily set up "free" public WiFi networks and bait people to use them so they can sniff your login passwords or use your accounts while you're still logged in to the websites without the need for your password. Always ask the hotel, coffee shop or airport personnel their valid WiFi hotspots for guests. If you have to connect to a free WiFi network, never use it to log in to your email, social media or bank accounts. ​

Never provide debit or credit card details via phone, text or email.

Emails and texts were not created with data privacy in mind. Unencrypted email is an unsecure way to send sensitive information. Emails, SMS, or phone calls can be hacked, spoofed, and eavesdropped. When travelling, it is best to avoid providing personal and financial information through these channels. ​

Look for the lock. ​

Aside from a web address that begins with “https:” where “s” stands for ‘secure’, a lock icon on your browser is another indication that the site you are on is safe to use. When booking plane tickets and hotels, or when making online purchases, make sure you can see the padlock symbol in the address bar, before you provide your personal or financial details. ​

Keep your card visible when making payments. ​

When paying for your purchases and services using your debit or credit card, make sure that they process your payment in your presence. This way, your card is visible and always with you. Thus, preventing multiple unauthorized card swipes and skimming. ​

Monitor your accounts regularly. ​

Monitor your accounts even when you are abroad to ensure that there are no unauthorized transactions. For added security to PSBank Debit and Prepaid Mastercard cardholders, turn on the ATM Lock feature in your PSBank Online or PSBank Mobile App to keep your account safe from ATM skimming and other card-based electronic fraud. ​

Be vigilant. ​

If you think that your bank account has been compromised or noticed any suspicious movements, report it immediately by calling your bank’s customer service hotline. ​

“Learning how to secure your accounts and avoid obvious threats goes a long way in protecting your personal information and money most especially when you travel,” says PSBank First Vice President for Information Security Dan Jose Duplito.

Here’s great news for PSBank Online and PSBank Mobile App users. PSBank has not only made banking simple and hassle-free for you. Now, banking through PSBank Online and PSBank Mobile App is rewarding with the PSBank Triple Combo Promo.

Under the PSBank Triple Combo Promo, which will run from August 17 to October 16, 2017, PSBank Online and PSBank Mobile App users can get a chance to win loads of prizes in three promo categories:
iPad Pro, Want Mo promo. For every successful Bills Payment, Fund Transfer, and PayMe transaction worth at least PhP1,000 or a Telco Reload of PhP300, you will get one raffle entry. In this category, one winner will bring home a 10.5 inch iPad Pro (64gb), while 100 lucky winners will each receive PhP500 Cash Credits.
Love to Lock promo. You can earn a raffle entry by simply locking or unlocking your PSBank card or account using either PSBank Online or the PSBank Mobile App. 15 winners will each receive a very relaxing spa treatment worth PhP3,000.
PayMe, Pay We promo. Every successful PayMe transaction you make with a minimum amount of PhP500 entitles you to a raffle entry. For this category, 25 PayMe pairs (requestor and payor) can win back the actual value of their winning PayMe transaction or up to PhP1,000.

Don’t miss out on the chance to win exciting prizes. Pay your bills, transfer funds, reload your phones, make PayMe transactions, and lock or unlock your ATM card using PSBank Online or PSBank Mobile App now.

Not enrolled in PSBank Online or PSBank Mobile? Simply visit their website to enroll your PSBank deposit, loans, and PSBank Prepaid Mastercard accounts to PSBank Online and download the fully loaded PSBank Mobile App for free from Apple Store or Google Play.

All raffle winners will be drawn electronically on October 27, 2017 at the PSBank Head Office in Makati City. For details, call our 24/7 Customer Experience Hotline at (02) 845-8888, visit any branch near you, or www.psbank.com.ph>Best Deals> Promos.

Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank), the thrift bank arm of the Metrobank Group, has declared a deadline for deactivating all its non-EMV cards in line with its thrust to provide clients with more secured products and services.

In a statement, PSBank said “All non-EMV PSBank cards can no longer be used beginning September 1, 2017.” With this, it is encouraging all its clients to replace their non-EMV cards now at any PSBank branch. If it is your first time to replace your card, it is FREE of charge, PSBank said.

The Bank started to issue EMV chip-enabled cards as early as January 3, 2017. All its more than 600 ATMs are already EMV-ready.

PSBank debit and prepaid card account holders can simply visit any branch to get their card. They simply need to bring their old card and one government-issued valid ID. On the other hand, for PSBank Flexi accountholders, their card will be delivered via courier to their office address while their PIN will be delivered separately via another courier to their home address. Flexi card holders can activate their card by calling PSBank’s 24/7 Customer Experience Hotline at (02)845-8888 or by visiting the nearest PSBank branch.

PSBank’s move to shift to EMV chip-enabled cards is in line with the issuance of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Circular No. 859 or the Europay, Mastercard and Visa Implementation Guidelines.

The PSBank EMV chip-enabled cards have enhanced features for verifying transactions made on the card, therefore minimizing cases of card-present fraud incidents and identity theft and giving cardholders the peace of mind whenever they do card transactions.