Grace Period on Loan Payment Due to ECQ or Covid 19

This pandemic caused us anxieties specially when it comes to finances. Many people lost their jobs, many business needs to close etc. This affected everyone worldwide and I know one of the thing we worry about are big loans to pay. Like for my family, we just got our car November last  year. Good thing that PSBank did give grace period to their clients. A big Thank You to PSBank. 

Below are the commonly asked question. But if you want to read the full article , click on this link.

Another Bad Experience with Citibank

I posted before about BDO vs Citibank service and I voted for Citibank as a better one. But then this is the 2nd time that I've encountered bad service with them.  This time my problem all started when they upgraded my credit card to titanium. For almost three years I don't have any problem accessing my account online. However after they change my card I can no longer access it. Even the e-bill that they are sending me I am unable to open. I requested online for them to send me my cash advanced pin so that I can register again but it's been almost a month and I haven't receive anything. I was able to access what I need to using the quick inquiry online and I said this would be good for me for the meantime. But after the last update on their website I can no longer check my account even on quick inquiry. Both my credit card are not working. I tried to re-register since I was able to find my cash pin but it doesnt accept it, I guess because I have a new cc. I visited Citibank in Madrigal but since I am too early the guard just asked me to call the hotline. I talked to a young lady named Lye and she said she would send me my new cash pin and I should get in within 5-7 banking days. I hope this would fix my problem because I have no way to check how much my bill at all without calling them. 

GMA Bank Claim

I have a checking account with GMA Bank Imus which closed last February 3, 2011. Last February 23, I was browsing PDIC website and I am thinking of going to their office in Makati instead of going to GMA Bank to file a claim for my remaining balance which is about P5k something. But then I changed my mind and decided to visit the bank first. Good thing I brought my check book with me because that is one of the requirement. When I arrived there the guard asked me to write my name on a piece of paper and told me to wait for my name to be called.

When I enter the bank its the people of PDIC who are there. The 2 young lady who gave me the claims form I would say doesnt have good customer service. It seems like they are sick and tired of talking to people complaining and asking on what to do. They don't have smile on their face and they don't feel like helping people. Anyway good thing I already downloaded the claims form from PDIC website so I don't need to fill out the form again. The lady at reception even told me its not the same, funny, it is exactly the same. Anyway after that I was told to go the other room and get my statement of account. They asked for my account number and they gave me all my checks that are already cleared and a copy of my statement of account.

Next step is you need to submit the claims form, with a photocopy of 2 valid ID, Original Copy of your Statement of Account (please photocopy this so that you have your own copy for future need) and the remaining unused checks that I have. They input my info in the computer and afterwards gave me a paper. A check will be send to me via snail mail, most probably in May of this year. This is really a big hassle and I hope I would be able to get my hard earned money as soon as possible. 

Bad Experience with Citifinancial

I had a loan with Citifinancial for 3 years which I would say is not a very good deal. The interest is too high, but since I was about to give birth then I grabbed the opportunity. I pay them through PDC and I make sure that I always make a payment on time. Before, they are sending bills through snail mail and for no reason I don't know why they stop sending it. Now the only way I can check on my loan status is by calling their hotline which is long distance call for me since I am living in Cavite. Anyway I don't call them since I know I am paying on time.

Problem started when GMA bank change their check to UCPB for clearing starting from January of 2011. My loan is due every 3rd day of the month and I think it was about 2nd week when I receive a call from Citifinancial asking if I already pay my January due. I said yes since I deposited to my GMA account. The young lady said she will verify my payment and will call me back which she did not. I find out that there is a problem with my check when Pag-ibig told me my check is no longer valid. I was able to fix that by submitting a different PDC from GMA to both Pag-ibig and Citifinancial. Well, I am expecting a call back from Citi if infact my PDC did not clear. They should have informed me. So I paid for late fee because of that. 

Next problem occured when GMA bank announced a bank holiday. I deposited with them on February 1 and I think I saw on the news that they closed on Feb 4. I called their hotline right away to verify if my payment went through and another lady who asked lots of question for verification said yes. Bad thing I did not take note of her name. I even called back to ask if its alright to pay through BDO since I no longer have any checking account. I was able to breathe well that night. I can pay my remaining balance through BDO and most of all my last deposit with GMA bank was cleared. Until yesterday afternoon while trying to take a nap a woman named Pinky came to our house. She is from Citifinancial asking me if I paid for my February due. I told him yes, I made a deposit with GMA. She said GMA closed in February 3 which is my due date and she said they did not receive any payment. Well how come when I called their customer service I was told it was cleared. I told her I am willing to pay for it but then they need to waive the late charges. Two critical things and the customer service is not good at. I am a little annoyed as well sending people over my house as if I am not willing to pay. I would understand if I have bad record but I am a good payer since I started. Anyway my loan will be finish by May of next year and I am planning not to renew it. 

Payment Assistance Program

Yesterday I got a letter from Citibank offering me a payment assistance for my loan with them. I called them early this morning before 9am and the phone is just ringing. I try it again around 10am and waited for a minute or two and at last someone answered the phone. I thought nobody will answer because the phone just keeps on ringing without any voice prompt. Anyway someone who sounds like has a cold asked for my credit card number. I told him what I am calling for is about my loan. He then transferred me to another line. A girl answered and asked for my credentials. She said its not a good idea for me since I am in good standing. Although availing the said program would make my monthly bill a little lower it would extend the terms or the number of years. Like right now I only have 15months more left, if I took advantage of the payment assistance program it might lengthen up to 2 1/2 years, wew! And one more thing I will no longer be eligible to loan with them. Hmmm.... I decided not to proceed then. Once my loan is done I hope they would offer me lower interest rate or I might just go to another bank like Chinatrust. 

Citibank Consolidation

Yesterday East West Bank called me again asking me to send her a photocopy of one valid ID. I told her I changed my mind and I no longer want a new credit card. She told me it is already in the mail and told me to accept the card so that she will not get charge. She ask me not to activate it instead when I receive it. I wonder if its already in mail then why is she still asking for a valid ID. I also read online that some cc are already activated when delivered. If its already in mail then I might activate it, hehehe, but still thinking about it. 

I have 2 cc from Citibank and both of them already reached the limit. As much as I want to pay but what's happening is every time I made a payment I use it again. It is because I really have a lot of payables and is having problem budgeting. I no longer need to discuss what are my other payables but you know sometimes in your life you just find your self with too many debts and don't know what to do. I've read a lot stories about the harassment being made by the collection agencies. I don't want my account to be transferred to those collection agencies. I've read online some people who had called their bank and was able to have an easier payment scheme for their cc. I don't know if Citibank offers that. Anyway before I wrote this post I already send an email to their customer service which I always get a prompt reply. I will share with you guys if they offer me any consolidation. I hope they would.

BDO vs Citibank

This comparison is just based on my experience.I had a Citibank Payroll before and currently a Citibank Credit Cards. I also currently have a BDO ATM Debit Card.

Online Registration:

Citibank: Everything is done online, no hassle.

BDO: After filling out a form online, you need to print out a copy and bring it to any BDO branch. Urgh! (And take note they don't have a form if you visit a BDO bank. You are require to fill out the form online submit it and then print out a copy and then go to the nearest BDO)

Password:

Citibank: Fix password which you can change anytime. They have 3 security questions which is asked randomly when you login.

BDO: Requires renewal of password every few months. I find this not good. Because of this my account got locked up and I was not able to reset it online. I need to call customer service and wait for a very very long queue.

Online Support:

Citibank: On your account when you login, you can send an email to their customer service for support. Since you are login they already know you account details.

BDO: The email on your account are just update from BDO. They have do have an email address for their customer service but is not built in to your account.

Phone Support:

Citibank. Shorter wait time compare to BDO. People are pleasant and nice to talk with.

BDO: Aside from the long queue, the customer rep sounds sleepy and not really willing to help.

What I like about BDO is their hours of operation and is accessible in all SM Malls.

With Citibank you can withdraw on any ATM with no charge.

With BDO if you made a deposit to your account on a different branch, they charge you P50.

Feel free to share your experience with these banks , either good or bad.

GMA Bank Checking Account

Thanks to GMA Bank I was able to open a checking account that is very affordable. 

We purchased a house and lot last year under Pag-ibig Housing Loan. One of the requirement needed is post dated check. I first applied at Chinabank in SM Southmall who has a horrible customer service. One of the agent from Prosperity Builders refer me to GMA bank in Imus. It is easy to find because it is just along Aguinaldo Highway. If you are coming from Zapote it will be on your left side. You will see it before Robinson's Imus.

What I remember is I submitted 2 copies of valid ID and paid P2000. P1600 for the maintaining balance and the P400 is for processing fee and first set of check book. If there is no queue you can get your booklet in a few minutes. The booklet only has your account number. When you order for your next check book, which takes 1month, your name will already be on it. I recommend GMA Bank for those people who are looking for an affordable checking account.They also have branches in Muntinlupa, Laguna and Lipa City.

RCBC Customer Service

I've posted here that last Monday the RCBC ATM at our office debited my account and yet did not dispensed any cash. It was a really a bad experience. My shift ends at 8am so I need to wait for the bank to open at 9am. I decided to have breakfast at Jollibee. Good thing I saw Melai and Jonald having breakfast as well. Atleast I have someone to chat with while waiting.

I went back to the bank at exactly 9am and I think I waited 3mins more before they actually opened. I did not see a customer service booth so I asked the guard where to go for ATM that is debited. He gave me a customer complaints form and asked me to go to New Accounts. I filled out the form and when I went to the New Accounts, no one is there. But beside it was a guy working but did not even smile at me or inform me where the person on New Accounts is. Then this lady sit down before me and I give her the customer complaint form. She read it and says "P8000." She get a scissor give the stub to me and write a phone number to contact. She told me to call RCBC for follow. up She did not even mention how long it would take to resolve the issue. When I asked about it she says probably 1 week. This is where I realized how much empathy can ease the discomfort of a customer. But RCBC employess don't have it. I would say of all the bank that I dealt with Citibank still has the best customer service, maybe that is why they have high interest rate (hehehe).

I called RCBC the next day and talk to a guy. He told me it might take 3 days. I told him why that long since the ATM I used is their machine and the same branch. He says thats how it works. (ok) Friday comes and still I am not yet credited. I called back and to my surprise when I told the guy I am making a follow up on my ATM that is debited, he asked me from which APC I am from. APC (American Power Conversion) have different office in EPZA, we have Admin, Cav1 and Cav2. I haven't mention that I am from APC and that is his question right away. I guess there are lot of people who had a bad experience like me. He told me to call back after 5mins and look for Ralph since he is in the bathroom. When I call back Ralph told me that he is already making inputs for the problem and I should receive the credit within the day. 

I would say 4 days to fix the problem is somewhat acceptable but it would have been better if their people are accommodating. I believe also they should be able to resolve it quicker since it is their own ATM. I would give them 3 out of 5. (5 being the highest) Still passing score because they resolve my issue but nothing superb with their service.

RCBC Debited My ATM, No Cash Dispensed

You read it right. This is the first time I've experienced this and it really bothers me. This happen last night before my shift starts. We have an RCBC ATM in our office. I always make a withdrawal there so I am very comfortable using it. Something strange happen. When I try to withdraw, I got stuck on "Please wait while I'm processing your request," this after I put the amount I wanted to withdraw. (which is P8000, hu hu hu). Several minutes had passed and I am still on the same screen. I press cancel several times still on the same screen. After few more minutes the ATM ejected my card but then with no transaction slip and NO MONEY (waaaa). I got worried so I put my card back and do a balance inquiry. Well, same thing happened, got stuck on the same page and also no transaction slip.

I hurried to my station and opened my tools for work. And after that I checked online if I my ATM got debited. To my surprise, YES! (hu hu hu again.) One of my team mates told me he tried to withdraw twice earlier and experienced the same thing. Good for him he did not get debited. I am planning to go  to RCBC near our office after my shift and file a complain. I've talked to some colleagues who had same experience like me. The first one I talked with says he was able to get his money back after 3 days. While the second one says he was able to get his after 1 month! (Aw huhuhu). I'll make another post after I went to RCBC. Here I will see if they have good customer service.