Is there any way we can make it more difficult for you sir? That is the catch phrase of the normal bank in the Philippines. The old Kano needs PNP 5,000.00 to plan Mrs. Thompson’s birthday Thursday March 5th. My two daughters Hanna and Yhen are tasked with this important mission while I remain home and tended to my dog Army.
On Tuesday 3 March my NFCU Q-Card is entered into the ATM at the Harbor Point Mall, the machine lights up as it should and prompts the customer to enter the PIN, done and don’t ask if it’s the right pin as my girls have used my same pin for over 20 years, such the creature of habit that I am I have to ask them what my pin is.
As described to me on the phone this is what happened A whirling sound, followed by a wheezing sound the lights flash on then off a sign appears stating that the transaction is complete and would you like to do another transaction?. Insert your ATM Card, but they no longer have an ATM Card it’s inside the machine with all the money, BTW of which they have none.
There on the machine is the name of the bank that owns the machine, and praise be to the gods, that bank is close by. Off to the EAST WEST bank,and both my daughters are in earth shaking panic, to explain to the high person at the bank. The high person at the bank explains to the girls, that NFCU card is the most common card that happens too, and yet they’ve never posted a warning to the public? But now that it has happened a Certified letter must be sent to them (The Bank) explaining the reason the card was CAPTURED, (yes that’s the word he used) by their ATM. Are you wondering how my bank in the US would possibly know? Then I must appear in the bank with my passport and two other forms of identification and fill out a bank form explaining how my card was CAPTURED, I’m not sure if I’m also required to dance a Irish Jig or not, that will be decided when they receive my bank’s certified letter.
The girl’s call me to explain what has happened and what they found out from the bank. Needless to say they are both quite upset as they explain the situation and are both expressing apologizes to me. Please note that I have NEVER raised a hand or voice to my daughters as they do a better job of punishing themselves than I ever could. So in my joking voice I listened to them and said don’t leave the bank, I’ll call them back in 15 minutes. And reassured them that Daddy had it under control and all would be fine.
Toll Free to NFCU when I spoke to a young man named Cornelius, and a fine and proud Irish name it ‘tis and BTW he was of Irish decent. I explained what the Philippine bank wanted and I heard him snicker, Mr. Thompson we can void that card and Federal Express your new one within the hour. I agreed that was the way to go and said I liked that idea. Four minutes later the problem was solved.
Next I called my daughters and asked them to hand the phone to the bank High Person, who started to go through his spiel, when I politely told him that because of the excellent customer service of my WORLD CLASS bank his non world class bank need not be concerned over the matter, and that he could take a good lesion away from this encounter. “But Sir what do we do with your old ATM card?” he asked. The temptation was great but all I told him was I really didn’t care the subject is closed.
Well Daddy what about the PNP 5,000.00 for the party? Ask your mother for the cash, as we were never going to surprise her anyway. We had a good laugh over that and the world is back on an even keel once more.
” The temptation was great but all I told him was I really didn’t care the subject is closed” LOL .. That was great. Had a couple of mishaps in the Philippines regarding my ATM card. Same thing was done, my bank in Massachusetts canceled the card then shipped the replacement by air. No sweat, I received the new one in 2 days. And you were right, that’s WORLD CLASS. Have a happy week, Mr. Paul T.
Jose;
Shortly after I married my bride, we went to our bank which held HER account in her name only. She went in to withdraw (ATM’s were few and far between in those days) The bank manager told her that her husband had to be present to withdraw funds. So I went in (I was waiting outside) and spoke with him and with her beside me we withdrew PNP 1 million two hundred thousand pesos (@23.00 to the dollar.) and moved it to the bank across the street after asking if they had the same stupid rule. The first bank never understood why I was angry.
Wow! What a great story, and really mind boggling. With the money in her own name, how could they figure that her husband had to be present? Here is the real question, Paul…. if it is a joint account, could the husband withdraw without the wife being there? I bet it wasn’t even an issue!
Bob;
The only thing I could think of at the time was I was with her when the account was opened, albeit I made sure that my name was not on it. No doubt no man would be questioned during a withdrawal.
If Mayang predeceases me our daughters (NOT ME) will inherit her emergency fund, which is fine with me as I’d want them to have it anyway, I’ll have plenty to live on. There are things you must think about while living here.
Banking in the Philippines… aww hahahah
Roger;
If you live here you pretty much have to bank in the Philippines (Somewhat) I keep my stateside bank and always will./But there are banks here that are improving as they venture on to the World Stage and learn what customers will and will not put up with. We keep accounts of ready cash and ATM (Local) here, and my wife’s emergency account for her to survive while my estate is in probate in the US of A. But over the years we have weaned out the poor performing banks and found the good ones. But using an ATM from another bank, other than your own is still a stab in the dark.
Wife has had two ATM foul ups within past two weeks. One kept the card and the other just debited her account but dispensed no money . Amazing what a lackl of upkeep and maint. can do.. 🙂
Alan;
What would you be able to use to prove to the bank that that happened? No money delivered, like they will believe that. But it happened to my wife at her bank, and they could check it within minutes and the machine had jammed.
Some of the “rules” here just boggle the mind of some of us expats, like me. Some things just seem so unorthodox, and I get headaches trying to figure out the logic in them, but logic is a foreign word here also at times.
Like you said, it will take some time to weed out the problematic banks here, and find the easy to work with ones.
Bill;
As I told some crew members on one ship who questioned why the ship was going to the furthest port and then back to the closer one. All I could say was; “Shipmates you are trying to force logic into an illogical situation, and you know better than that.”
hi paul , my wife uses the atm at our local metro bank so far never had a problem, before that she had a
account with bdo bank nothing but trouble customer service was bad atm had no money in it ,
its all about finding a good bank that suits you we keep our every day money in the metro bank
and the rest in the hsbc bank its more fun in the philippines paul derek in pasig.
Most of the ATM’s I use here in the USA no longer suck the card into the machine. You slide it in a slot manually and never loose sight or touch of the card, then withdraw the card by hand.
I always cringe when I use the ATM’s in The Philippines when my card dissapears. I try to use an ATM at a bank when they are open just in case there is a problem. In more recent years I have also been using pre paid debit cards as a back up in case something goes wrong with my primary card.
Good idea Paul about calling the issuing bank to get a replacement card and having the old one cancelled. I will remember that. Thanks for another very informative article, Paul style.
Derek;
As I wrote and you proved the point, it takes time to weed out the poor banks and find that marginal one that you can live with. (LOL)
Bob NY;
The swipe system will catch up to the Philippines when they ship your old outdated ATM machines to this country, we’ll have swipe but it will be an outdated format by then.
Hi Paul
I’ve had cards swallowed in various countries and that cold feeling followed by gut wrenching terror never changes.
Thailand – Very remote town, machine just swallowed it for no reason. Had to go back for when they opened the machine at 6pm. Armed with my passport for ID, they found the card looked at my ID and then wanted more ID. I asked how many people used the machine that day with my English surname and the guy just shrugged and gave me the card back.
South Korea – similar to the above but the security guard never bothered with ID. Very trusting and honest people those Koreans.
Singapore – wife used wrong PIN and card was swallowed. She was confused as to which card was 4 digits and which was 6. Went to the bank and got a replacement within a week.
Philippines – wife lost her card straight after using it. She went and got an affidavit from the local town hall, apparently required in most banks in PI, and proceeded to HSBC armed with her passport. They didn’t want the affidavit. Charged to experience.
We try to use local bank cards when we are in a country long enough as is saves the $5 per transaction which adds up when you can only withdraw 10,000PHP per time. HSBC still allows up to 70,000/day but their interest rates are even more crap than the rest of the banks.
Cheers
AJ UK
AJ UK;
With that much ATM luck I’d go back to the old traveller’s checks. (LOL) Federal express dropped my card off the next day, easy as pie. But every country has different rules. Some just make it harder than others.
hi paul ,will be going to subic this thursday would like to meet you and your wife for a chat and something to eat at texas joe we could meet friday or saturday or even thursday derek in pasig.
Derek;
I deeply apologize but I’m in the middle of oral surgery and eating out is off the schedule for the near future, besides my personal embarrassment of missing teeth. But my dentist has promised me that by April I’ll be ready to rejoin society once more. Next time I hope?
Hi Paul,
I enjoyed the article and am impressed at the restraint you showed when the bank high & mighty person asked what you wanted him to do with your card. Are you still abstaining from strong drink? Saving yourself for the upcoming St Patrick’s Day? I saw a news report about reveler’s at what they called a St. Fratty’s Day Party last weekend. The reason it made the news is they were partying on the roof of a frat house when the roof caved in. It was all caught on tape of course everything now is. No one died. Thank God! The stories did not say alcohol was involved, but it does seem likely.
Take care!
Jay
Jay;
Strong drink and I have not shook hands yet. I’m still miffed at its shabby treatment of me. Saint Paddy’s day only has meaning to me when I’m in Boston.
Hi Paul,
All things in moderation. For some moderation is not possible and completely abstaining is necessary. I am okay drinking 2 or 3 beers, but then people always seem to want to put another in my hand. I think at some point I have trouble stopping. When I was young and foolish I sometimes drank until I had blackouts where I said and did things that I did not remember and were not things I would have otherwise said and done. I have written an article being published next week where alcohol did not cause a problem but did intensify it with my family in Bohol.
Jay;
I do try and moderate my use of my ATM card also as I hate paying international fees. That money would be better spent on a cold beer on a hot day. I’ll check out your forthcoming LiP article. My best friend will be back in country after being out on a ship, there will be cocktails involved when we get together.
I can sure relate to the ATM issues.
Hey Bill, you sanamagan, where have you been, man? I was looking for your “old” website the other day. Bob told me it’s no mas, and I go “uh-oh”, after only 5-6 months in Davao? For whatever reason the website was taken down, I am reminded of the song by Jack Scott, “Burning Bridges”. LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js-PC3iOxlE
In case you didn’t know, my wife and I were in the Philippines for 25 days this past December. We were in GenSan for a week, and I thought of you. I really wanted to spend the week at the Pearl Farm resort on Samal Island, but it was soooooo expensive at around $250 a night! We settled for Sarangani Highlands instead at a much cheaper rate, but we didn’t have a hut that sits on water and with stunning views all around, either.
I’ve already booked us a flight for a return visit to the Philippines for the entire month of December 2015, but my wife doesn’t yet know. I’m still trying to figure out how to break the news to her without me ending up in a hospital. LOL I was lucky to have been able to persuade her to visit the Philippines with me this past December, so I don’t know what her reaction will be this time around. The Pearl Farm resort will again be in my sights.
John,
Coming back for December 2015. I think you should tell her sooner than later that way it will give her plenty of time to warm up to the idea. Hoping she approves of it. Would love to see you again.
Randy –
Yep, the flight plan is already done. December 2, 2015 through January 2, 2016, arriving at NAIA 3:25PM, December 4, on Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi.
Still a long ways, but I am already researching at least 3 hotels we’ll be staying. Hyatt City of Dreams heads the list, I want to check out the 2 blonde bartenders Jay was talking about a couple of weeks ago at the casino there. Just kidding.
My wife already knows, and she’s been giving me the cold shoulder. Same here, we’d love to see you and Anne again, but no more long bus trips. LOL My wife got sick after we got back to the hotel that night after the long bus ride to Subic and back.
William;
As, most of us can. In the early 90’s we had to go to Manila to access an international ATM We would hit the machine before noon go to lunch and hit the machine before leaving getting the max amount for two days. Fun days.
John;
Put the Pearl Farm resort on your bucket list and it can’t be denied. I visited one in Japan and found it fascinating. The ladies would dive for what seemed like forever and always came up with a Pearl. I hope you get there this year.
Paul –
I would imagine Pearl Farm resort on Samal Island would be extremely fascinating when it comes to gratifying all your senses. Outside of that, I fear a strong likelihood that at $250 a night (we would like to be there a full week) it would not leave enough money in my pocket for us to get back to Manila, unless I go diving for pearls in exchange for plane tickets. LOL
John;
There must be more reasonable accommodations within the area, so you can day trip it to the Pearl Farm?
John/Paul
Day trips to Pearl Farm are quite popular and, in my opinion, quite good value.
To get to Pearl Farm you need to go to a place called Marina Wharf. There is a small hotel there but I can’t find the name on the internet.
Also, there is a Microtel which is a 5 minute drive from Marina Wharf as well. The Mocrotel is also very close to SM Lanang and even has the Golden Arches across the road.
http://www.pearlfarmresort.com/getting-here/
Cheers
AJ UK
John/AJ UK
See!!! We all want you to get to the Pearl Farm, and to our friend AJ from the UK, thank you for that information.
Thanks for writing this Paul! I’ve been hoping for a review on how NFCU worked out for folks. I’ve opened an account there since they now allow us non-seafaring types to join up. I was a bit disappointed that they did not have a branch in Subic, nor can they easily transfer dollars to our Philippine account. It’s good to hear that I can use the debit card relatively easy. Of course the key word is relatively.
Take care,
Pete
:Pete:
In many a bar or saloon Sailors and Marines have discussed that very subject: “Why was the ARMY excluded from the larges Credit Union on Earth? It never seemed fair to us. The Air Force never came up in any of those conversations, but that’s understandable. So now with DOD and of course our Army friends NFCU must be the MEGA Credit Union on earth. I’ve been a member for 40 years and would trust no other.. I never had a problem with NFCU transferring money to a Philippine dollar account, the problem was the service charges that the Philippine Banks tacked on. I can call NFCU and Western Union up to $3,000.00 at a time for $14.00 and receive the money within 4 hours. The Philippine Bank charged me $30.00in transfer fees. I can use my debit card like a visa in any store that accepts credit cards.
hi paul, no problem will wait till april or may going to dentist myself this week not looking forward to it,
but it has to be done i am a coward when it comes to dentist ,derek in sunny pasig .
Derek;
BTW both Bob and I had trouble with your e-male address. I’m off to the dentist today; it’s the embarrassment that hurts more than being in the dentist chair. But the end result will be worth it.
hi paul, had some trouble with my wi fi going to globe next week to get one of those mobile wifi
then that should solve the problem,just going to subic now will have lunch at texas joe on saturday
before i go back to manila good luck with the dentist will se you in april derek in pasig.
Derek;
Tune in next Monday for the story of why I can’t be at Texas Joe’s this Saturday and remember Joe’s has free Wi-Fi. My daughter has her own portable dongle and it’s in her purse every time she leaves the house, so I guess my car has Wi-Fi too. They are handy.
This is my biggest fear when I travel to the Philippines. I could be stuck someplace with no funds because an ATM “captured” my bank card.
Michael;
A good fear to have, as it will make you come up with a backup plan, and depending on how long you’ll be here there are many ways to go about it. Some I’ve listed and some you’ll figure out, but hopefully you’ll never need any plan and all will just go well. Hey, it could happen???
Best thing to do is have a separate debit card linked to your main atm card. I had my atm card stuck up too. What I did is go online, transferred my main atm card money to the linked debit card. Til now, Im using my debit card and never bothered getting my main atm card anymore. Coz it’s really more fun in the Philippines getting it back, so I didn’t anymore. ?