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October 16, 2024 TO : All Clearing Banks/Institutions RE : NEW CLEARING PARTICIPANTS/BRSTN REGISTER UPDATES 1. With reference to various request letters/notices received from the clearing participant banks, we enumerate hereunder the following updates to the PCHC clearing participant banks/BRSTN Register and Operating Parameter, viz: 1.1. New Clearing Participants BANK/BRANCH BRSTN ADDRES SBC - Candelaria 14014-002-4 Maharlika Highway Cor. Ona St., Candelaria, Quezon BDO - Waltermart - Silang 41053-054-2 G/F, Waltermart Silang, Aguinaldo Highway corner Biluso Road, Brgy. San Vicente II, Silang, Cavite BDO NB - Pangasinan-Calasiao 05118-013-1 G/F, Unit 107-A, Victoria Place Magic Calasiao, Poblacion West, Calasiao, Pangasinan BDO NB - Camarines Sur- 07118-013-7 G/F, Commercial Bldg., Corner San Antonio St. and Gov. Jose Ocampo Fuentebella Highway, Poblacion Central , Ocampo, Camarines Sur BDO NB - Leyte - Palo 11118-010-7 G/F, PKS Bldg., 1053 Sto. Niño St., Brgy. Luntad, Palo, Leyte BDO NB - Aklan - Numancia 29118-005-6 G/F, Briones - Fuerte Bldg., Purok 1, Brgy. Joyao - Joyao, Numancia, Aklan BDO NB - Capiz - Cuartero 34118-008-7 G/F, Stalls 2 & 3, T & A, Commercial Bldg., National Highway, Brgy. Poblacion Takas, Cuartero, Capiz BDO NB - Capiz - Sigma 34118-009-0 G/F, A & D Commercial Bldg., National Road, Brgy. Poblacion Sur, Sigma, Capiz BDO NB - Northern Samar 66118-004-2 G/F, Old Public Market, corner J. Gorgonia St. & F. Marcos St.,  - Palapa Brgy. Tinampo, Palapag, Northern Samar BDO NB - Antique - Hamtic 69118-007-0 G/F, Units 2 & 3, EPN Commercial Bldg., National Road, Brgy. Poblacion 1, Hamtic, Antique PASB - Head Office 28163-001-1 Unit A - GF The Garden by Pacific Ace, Lot 6 Rizal Hwy corner Aguinaldo St, Subic Bay Freeport Zone 1.2. Relocation/Change in Branch Name and/or Address RSTN BANK/BRANCH NAME FROM TO 01004-534-3 BPI – Montalban Rizal Ground Floor XMR LS 121, Xentro Mall, E. Rodriguez Highway, Rodriguez, Rizal 38004-001-0 BPI – Calapan Calapan City, Oriental GF Nuciti Central Calapan, JP Rizal Mindoro Street, Barangay Camilmil, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro 5200 19010-006-9 CBC – Batangas - Tanauan Tanauan City, Batangas Bravo Business Center, J.P. Laurel Highway, Poblacion 4, Tanauan City, Batangas 22026-005-7 Metro Concepcion Tarlac Concepcion - Tarlac – Estrella – Tarlac Commercial Bldg., Poblacion, L. Cortes St., San Nicolas, Concepcion, Tarlac 51035-006-2 LBP – Kibawe Branch Lite Bukidnon LANDBANK Building, Sayre Highway Barangay Palma, Kibawe, Bukidnon 8720 02053-023-3 BDO Cebu Mandaue SM City J Mall – LG/F, SM City J National Highway Mall, A.S. Fortuna St., Brgy. Bakilid, –Cebu Mandaue City, 6014 Cebu 31059-002-2 DBP – Sta. Cruz Laguna P. Guevarra St., cor. Alfonso St., Brgy. Poblacion III, Sta. Cruz, Laguna 28112-001-3 CBS – Olongapo Olongapo City G/F C&C Commercial Hub, 790-A Rizal Avenue, East Tapinac, Olongapo City, Zambales 2. Pursuant to C ICS OM No. 17-004 dated 18 January 2017, the aforementioned updates will be implemented effective October 16, 2024. 3. For your information and guidance.

October 17, 2024 T O : All Clearing Banks/Institutions R E : RECOMMENDED CHECK EXAMINATION/VERIFICATION PROCEDURES 1. We have recently received alarming reports of fraudulent attempts involving spurious or fake checks being presented over the counter for encashments or deposits. It is imperative that clearing participants take immediate action to protect the industry and the banking public from falling victims to these scammers. 2. In light of these incidents, we are issuing this memo as a strong reminder to exercise utmost caution and due diligence when verifying and examining checks presented at the banks’ branch counters for encashment or deposit. The validation of security features must be performed without exception to ensure the authenticity of each check. 3. To reinforce our utmost support to combating fraud, we have outlined below a set of recommended check verification procedures that must be strictly adhered to: 3.1. Scrutinize the check's physical appearance: Pay close attention to the paper quality, printing quality, and overall condition of the check. Look for any signs of tampering, alterations, or suspicious markings. 3.2. Validate security features: Thoroughly examine the check for security features such as watermarks, microprinting, and security fibers. Familiarize yourselves with the security features as published in the Check Design Standards and Specifications or CDSS (If you are not yet familiar or you need to be refreshed with your respective internal guidelines on how to physically examine check deposits using the CDSS as reference, you may get in touch with your Central Clearing Units for guidance and/or assistance). 3.3. Make full use of available technological and optical tools and devices, such as UV light scanners, magnifying glasses, or counterfeit detection pens, to aid in the verification process. These tools and devices can help identify hidden security features or detect counterfeit checks. 3.4. Exercise customer due diligence: Engage in conversation with the customer presenting the check. Ask relevant questions and observe their behavior. If anything seems suspicious or raises concerns, follow your bank’s established protocols for escalating the situation. 3.5. Any instance of suspected fraudulent activity must be reported immediately to the designated authorities within your organization. Timely reporting is crucial in preventing further harm and aiding in the investigation process.to scams and fraudulent activities. 4. Always remember that failure to exercise vigilance in examining checks for encashment or deposit may result in severe consequences, including financial losses for both the institution and affected accountholders. Compliance with the measures endorsed above should be enforced as mandatory for all tellers and front-liners. 5. Should you need further clarification/assistance in understanding the recommended examination/verification processes, you may get in touch directly with your respective clearing officers or if you wish to seek more information from PCHC, you may email us at philclear@pchc.com.ph cc: thonymanongas@pchc.com.ph. 6. We trust for utmost vigilance.

October 17, 2024   T O      :               All Clearing Banks/Institutions   R E         :               PARTICIPATION OF NEW RURAL BANK OF SAN LEONARDO IN CICS                                                                 1.      We are pleased to announce that New Rural Bank of San Leonardo (Nueva Ecija), Inc. or NRBSL will start to participate in the nationwide Check Image Clearing System (CICS) operations as a Clearing Subscriber effective November 04, 2024.   2.      As communicated by the bank’s president, Mr. Abundio D. Quililan, Jr. on October 15, 2024, NRBSL  will participate live with the following branches in Manila and Northern Luzon: 3. NRBSL – San Leonardo Branch is the bank’s main office.   4.      Said bank will continue to honor issued NRBSL checks bearing the BRSTN of Land Bank, until further notice.   5.      Kindly disseminate to all your branches/offices and update as well your respective BRSTN Register accordingly.

CICS MC No. 3845 PESONet MC No. 24-159 PDDTS MC No. 24-111 PAS MC NO. 24-027   October 08, 2024     T O      :               All Participant Banks/Institutions   R E         :               ANNUAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY FOR PCHC AS A CLEARING SERVICE OPERATOR OF PAYMENT SYSTEMS     1.      THE Philippine Clearing House Corporation (PCHC) is a registered Operator of a Payment System (OPS) authorized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). PCHC serves as the designated Clearing Service Operator (CSO) for the following platforms:   1.1.      Check Image Clearing System (CICS) 1.2.     Philippine EFT System and Operations Network (PESONet) - which already implemented 3 settlement cycles 1.3.     Philippine Domestic Dollar Transfer System (PDDTS) - which includes Domestic & Cross Border Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), Payment vs Payment (PvP), and Batch End-of- Day 1.4.    Payment Application Secure (PAS)   All the above are operated in the AWS Cloud.   2.      As part of our commitment to continuously enhance the quality of our operations and services, we conduct an annual customer satisfaction survey. Your feedback as valued stakeholders, are crucial to us.  We kindly request your comments and/or suggestions regarding our performance, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of the payment systems we operate.    3.      Please find the attached feedback form and complete it. Your responses will be invaluable in helping us gauge the performance of our systems and system support, as well as identifying areas for improvement to better serve your needs.   4.      We kindly ask that you provide your honest feedback on or before October 25, 2024. The completed survey form can be submitted via email to  philclear@pchc.com.ph , with a copy sent to  thonymanongas@pchc.com.ph .   5.      We greatly appreciate your active participation and look forward to receiving your feedback, which will contribute to the ongoing enhancement of our operations and services.   6.      Thank you for your continued support.

October 07, 2024     TO         :              All CICS participating banks/Institutions   RE          :               DATABASE OF ALREADY PAID/NEGOTIATED CHECKS       1.      We are conducting a follow up survey to determine adherence of Drawee Banks to the basic governing principle that necessitates maintaining a database of already paid/negotiated Checks in order to prevent fraud that may result to double or duplicate payments.   2.      It may be recalled that on May 26, 2021, we released Memo Circular 3656 to determine readiness of clearing participants to integrate CICS enhancements to their individual internal processes. Along with the Memo is a survey asking if the participants are already maintaining a database of all their negotiated/paid checks.   3.      That survey disclosed that 56 or 67% of 83 CICS participants are indeed adhering to this governing principle as they do maintain databases of already paid/negotiated Checks, 17% or 14 are not while 13 or 16% did not respond to the survey. The 56 banks are as follows:   4. As there are now 94 participants in CICS, we need to know the level of adherence as this will be part of our regulatory reporting.    5. We would appreciate receiving your responses to our survey (Annex A) on or before October 25, 2024.  You may email your respective replies to: philclear@pchc.com.ph , cc:  thonymanongas@pchc.com.ph   and royettedlreyes@pchc.com.ph   6. We count on your full support and utmost cooperation.

PESONet MC No. 24-157 PDDTS MC No. 2024-109 PAS MC No. 2024-025 September 02, 2024 TO : ALL CLEARING BANKS/INSTITUTIONS RE : BUSINESS AS USUAL TODAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 1. Despite suspension in government work in the National Capital Region today due to inclement weather, BSP's PhilPaSS will have normal operations today to serve the banking community. 2. As such and for the information of clearing participant banks and institutions, PCHC is operating as well and would be business as usual observing normal clearing cut-offs. 3. Please be guided accordingly.

September 24, 2024   T O      :               All Clearing Banks/Institutions   R E         :               PARTICIPATION OF PACIFIC ACE SAVINGS BANK IN CICS                                                                 1.      We are pleased to announce that Pacific Ace Savings Bank (PASB) will start to participate in the nationwide Check Image Clearing System (CICS) operations as a Clearing Subscriber effective October 16, 2024.   2.      As communicated by the bank’s president, Ms. Virginia S. Dio on September 20, 2024, Pacific Ace Savings Bank – Head Office  will serve as its pilot branch with assigned BRSTN: 28163-001-1 .   3.      PASB – Head Office is located at Unit A - GF The Garden by Pacific Ace, Lot 6 Rizal Hwy corner Aguinaldo St, Subic Bay Freeport Zone .   4.      Said bank will continue to honor issued PASB checks bearing the BRSTN of BDO Unibank, Inc., until further notice.   5.      Kindly disseminate to all your branches/offices and update as well your respective BRSTN Register accordingly.

September 23, 2024   T O      :               All Clearing Banks/Institutions   R E         :               PARTICIPATION OF SOUTHEAST COUNTRY BANK IN CICS                                                                 1.      We are pleased to announce that Southeast Country Bank, Inc. (A Rural Bank) will start to participate in the nationwide Check Image Clearing System (CICS) operations as a Clearing Subscriber effective October 01, 2024.   2.      As communicated by the bank’s president, Mr. Melchor N. Prado on September 19, 2024, Southeast Country Bank-Aseana Branch  will serve as its pilot branch with assigned BRSTN: 0 1195-001-3 .   3.      Southeast Country Bank’s Aseana Branch is located at G/F 6 & 7 Harton Corporate Center, Blk 2 Lot 5, Aseana, Tambo, Parañaque City .   4.      Kindly disseminate to all your branches/offices and update as well your respective BRSTN Register accordingly.

PESONet MC No. 24-158 PDDTS MC No. 2024-110 PAS MC No. 2024-026 September 19, 2024 T O      :               All Clearing Banks/Institutions   R E         :               ADVISORY FROM THE BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS (BPI)     1.      In view of the merger between BPI and Robinsons Bank Corporation (RBC) with   BPI as the surviving bank,   we are informed that participation of RBC in  the Philippine Domestic Dollar Transfer System-Gross Real Time Settlement (PDDTS-GSRT)   will end on   October 16, 2024 .   2.    As such and effective on said date, all participating banks are advised to use BPI’s BIC (BOPIPHMM)   when sending   PDDTS-GSRT   transactions to RBC account holders.   3.     All other transactions, including PESONet, cross Border transactions and clearing operations will remain unchanged and will continue to make use of RBC BIC as follows:   3.1.   PDDTS-Cross-border (with its own BIC: ROBPPHMQXXX) 3.2.   PESONet (with its own BIC: ROBPPHMQXXX) 3.3.   CICS (with RBC BRSTN)   4.      Please be guided accordingly.

September 18, 2024 TO : ALL CLEARING BANKS/INSTITUTIONS WITH MOBILE DEPOSIT FACILITY) RE : EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FRONT DEPOSIT INFORMATION (FDI) 1.      In view of the number of requests received from non-MDF participants, we wish to strongly encourage all banks offering mobile check deposits to inform their respective clients availing this mobile banking feature to already indicate as illustrated, the name of their depository bank and account number in front of the Check to be deposited, to wit:   2.      These requests stemmed from the reported multiple presentment incidents whereby several Checks deposited via Mobile Deposit Facility (MDF) ended up being re-presented again either via over-the-counter (OTC) directly with the Drawee Bank or deposited to another Presenting Bank .   3.      While double payment of previously cleared/paid Check are prevented/caught by the Drawee Bank either via their own internal means, i.e. validation against own database of paid/negotiated checks , OR by validating against the List of Duplicate Transactions generated via CICS, and/OR via the front-end system that is capable of filtering tagged duplicate ICL transactions, double presentments via OTC can be mitigated if the Presenting Bank is able to see if a Check has already been presented previously.   4.      This call to action supplements Memo Circular No. 3831 dated August 20, 2024,   encouraging MDF banks for an earlier implementation so as MDF customers get acquainted with the change in writing deposit information.   5.      We enjoin your full cooperation.