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March 21, 2025   T O      :           All PESONet Participating Institutions   R E       :           CONFIRMATION OF PESONet GO-LIVE/SCHEDULE OF CUT-OVER ACTIVITIES                                                      1.      We are pleased to inform that the PESONet ACH Steering Committee has provided the marching orders to proceed with the Live Date of the PESONet 2.0 on March 24, 2025.   2.     In this connection, Participating Banks may start to access the Official PESONet 2.0 Production environment through the following URLs for both the Front-End and Web Service API:   Front-End https://portal.pchc.com.ph Web Service API https://api-pesonet20.pchc.com.ph   3.      PCHC shall send a Broadcast Message to all PESONet participants once the foregoing URLs are already available to access.   4.      Participants using the PESONet Front-End are reminded to use their existing user credentials (User Accounts and Passwords) and access the PESONet 2.0 platform through the PCHC Portal.   5.      Participants using the PESONet 2.0 REST API (formerly the PESONet Web Service API) may use their existing SSL Certificates and API Keys to access the PESONet 2.0 REST API.   6.      We also wish to remind that banks performing Whitelisting, that the IP address for the PESONet 2.0 REST API are not fixed, as these are instances running on Amazon Web Services, whose IP address may change as part of the load balancer and auto-scaling capabilities of AWS. This is the same behavior in the PESONet Web Service API and as such, we enjoin affected participants to consult with their appropriate SMEs within their institution to facilitate Whitelisting of PESONet 2.0 in the same manner as previously made with the PESONet Web Service API.   7.      In view of the 24 March 2025  Live Date for the PESONet 2.0, PCHC wishes to also announce the schedule of cut- over activities, viz:   DATE ACTIVITY/EVENT 1.     Friday, March 21, 2025 (4pm)   No further Outward PESONet transactions should be sent (they will be deleted and only returns will be accepted)   2.     Saturday, March 22, 2025 (10am) Disable PESONet existing, no carry over of 2025-03-24 Cycle 1 transactions to new system 3.     Saturday, March 22, 2025 (10am) Bring up PESONet 2.0 with 2025-03-24 Cycle 1 as the Live Date 4.     Monday, March 24, 2025 Official Live Date   8.      For Cycle 1 on 2025-03-24, 2 settlement results will be submitted to the BSP’s PhilPaSSplus System, one for PESONet and another for PESONet 2.0.   9.      Any regular transactions sent to the original PESONet after 4:00pm on March 21, 2025 will be deleted. Participants are requested to send transactions for the March 24, 2025 business date to PESONet 2.0 when it goes online on March 22, 2025.   10.  PCHC’s support team will be available during the Cut-Over for any assistance needed. Participants may e-mail pesonet20@pchc.com.ph for any questions or queries. This e-mail address will be monitored and dedicated to address PESONet 2.0-related concerns to ensure that all participants are attended to in a timely manner.   11.  We look forward to your participation.

March 17, 2025 TO : All Clearing Banks/Institutions RE : NEW CLEARING PARTICIPANTS/BRSTN REGISTER UPDAT ES 1. With reference to various request letters/notices received from the cl earing 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 ADDRESS SBC - San Mateo 01014-234-3 GF Units A & B, L3 General Luna Street Ampid 1 San Mateo, Rizal BDO - Cebu - Tabunok Starmall 02053-056-3 G/F, Starmall Talisay, Seaview Heights Subdivision, Brgy. Lawaan I, Talisay City, Cebu BDO - Pangasinan-Alaminos 05053-027-4 Sadsaran St., Brgy. Poblacion, Alaminos City, Pangasinan Poblacion BDO - La Union – San Fernando 15053-006-4 G/F, G World Building, MacArthur Highway, Brgy. Sevilla, San Sevilla Fernando City, La Union BDO - Bohol – Tagbilaran Rajah 33053-005-9 G/F, JLU Centre Bloc, Rajah Sikatuna Avenue, Brgy. Dampas, Sikatuna Tagbilaran City, Bohol TBPI - Mandaue Business 02145-001-1 Lopena Building, MC Briones Street, Maguikay, Mandaue Center City, Cebu 1.2. Relocation/Change in Branch Name and/or Address BRSTN BANK/BRANCH NAME FROM TO 01010-121-6 CBC SM City - Marikina, Marcos GF (unit 124-125) SM City Marikina, Highway, Calumpang. Marikina Marcos Highway, Brgy. City Calumpang, Marikina City 19033-001-7 PVB GF CAP Bldg., 56 Rizal Avenue, GF Hinch Building, P Canlapan St. Batangas City corner Apacible St., Batangas City 01049-006-6 USB USB-Kalayaan 106 Neptune St., USB – Metropolitan Bormaheco Makati City Condominium 1046 Metropolitan Avenue Corner Zapote St., Makati City 01049-999-9 USB Units 29-30 3F Palm Tower, 18F 2nd Floor, Unit 207, Bormaheco Penthouse, UCPB Corporate Condominium, 1046 Metropolitan Offices, Makati Avenue, Makati Avenue Corner Zapote St., Makati City 32053-004-3 BDO GF, Plaza Maestro Commercial GF Cordillera Family Inn, Leona Complex, Burgos Florentino Florentino St., Brgy 1 Vigan City Sts., Vigan 2700 Ilocos Sur 31141-004-6 CARD SME Unit 1A Soriano Commercial Block 3, Lot 37, Pacita Avenue, Bldg., 94 Mabini St., San Pedro, Phase 1A, Pacita Complex 1, Brgy. Laguna Pacita 1, San Pedro City, Laguna 1.3. Inclusion of the following branches in the list of BIR AABs BANK BRANCH NAME BRSTN LBP - Echague (Isabela) Agri Hub Branch 26035-013-4 LBP - San Ildefonso (Ilocos Sur) 32035-008-7 LBP - Himamaylan Branch 70035-003-4 2. Pursuant to CICS OM No. 17-004 dated 18 January 2017 the aforementioned updates will be implemented effective at 9:00 AM, March 17, 2025. 3. For your information and guidance.

March 13, 2025   T O      :               All Clearing Banks/Institutions   R E         :               SUSPENSION OF BANKING OPERATIONS IN DAVAO CITY (CLEARING REGION 03)     1.      We received a copy of Dabaw City Bankers Association, Inc. Resolution No. 2025-002 , suspending banking operations in their area in view of Proclamation No. 825, declaring March 17, 2025 (Monday) , as Special (Non- Working) Day in the City of Davao in celebration of its Araw ng Pasasalamat sa 88th Araw ng Dabaw.   2.      As such, there will be no outward clearing operations in Davao City on said date, except for returned items, if any.   3.      For information and guidance.

March 12, 2025   T O      :               All Clearing Banks/Institutions   R E         :               UPDATES TO THE RETURN REASON CODE TABLE FOR CICS     1.      With the final implementation of the required Front Deposit Information (FDI) along with the Dorsal Deposit Information (per Section 3 of MC No. 3855 dated Dec. 12, 2024), please be informed that starting April 1, 2025 , a new return reason shall be deployed by PCHC to enable the return of Work Type 8 (MDF) Regular Clearing Item when the required deposit information is not present, to wit:   Return Reason Code Description Usage Tran Code Re-clearingR-AllowedN-Not Allowed r Without Front Deposit Information (FDI)/Dorsal Deposit Information (DDI) To return Work Type 8 Regular Clearing Item without the required Deposit Information. 24 R   1.1.   While inclusion of the items without FDI/DDI under Technical Defects allows the Drawee Bank to return such items within 180-days from date of clearing, it does not prevent the Drawee Bank from returning them within the prescribed period.   2.      We also take this opportunity to remind you that effective July 1, 2025 ,   Clearing Items will no longer be acceptable if they:   2.1.   Have a Date of Issue  that is not in MM-DD-YYYY format or acceptable variants as illustrated in MC No. 3821   2.2.   Contain unnecessary special characters, symbols or marks in the  Amount in Figures   As per MC Nos. 3814 (dated June 3, 2024) and 3857 (dated December 17, 2024), such items       will be returned using return reason code “E,” as outlined below: Return Reason Code Description Usage Tran Code Re-clearingR-AllowedN-Not Allowed E Use of non-prescribed Date Format or Writing of Symbols or Marks or other details before and/or after Amount in Figures To return Regular Clearing Item where the issue date format does not conform to the standard MM-DD-YYYY or its acceptable variants, or use of inappropriate partition symbols to separate date characters, or inclusion of unnecessary symbols in the Amount in Figures to deter alteration. 24 N   3.      This serves as a guide for CICS participants in selecting the appropriate reasons for dishonored items while ensuring compliance with their respective effective dates.   4.      Attached is the updated Return Reason Code Table for your reference.

March 10, 2025   T O      :           All PESONet Participating Institutions   R E       :           CHANGE IN CORPORATE NAME – VIGAN BANCO RURAL INCORPORADA                                                1.      We refer to the attached PPMI Advisory No. 2025-0306-005 dated March 6, 2025, informing the change of the bank’s corporate name, to wit:   “ VBANK RURAL BANKING INC. ”   2.      The change in name was approved by BSP with the issuance of Certificate of Authority signed by Dir. Arnold C. Martinez.   3.      As such, PCHC shall implement the requested change in PESONet system effective March 17, 2025 .   4.      Please be guided accordingly.

March 10, 2025   T O      :     All PESONet Participating Institutions   R E       :     MORATORIUM ON THE VALIDATION OF SPECIAL CHARACTERS IN PESONET 2.0     1.         Please be informed that we have elevated participants' concerns regarding the validation of special characters slated to be implemented in PESONet 2.0 to the PESONet ACH.   2.         After due recommendation of the PESONet ACH Operations Sub-Committee, the PESONet ACH has approved a temporary moratorium on the validation of special characters when PESONet 2.0 goes live on 24 March 2025.   3.      Given the moratorium and along with PCHC recommendation, the PESONet ACH shall likewise adopt a character set for PESONet 2.0 that is consistent with the recommendations of the Committee on Payment Market Infrastructure (CPMI) embodied in the documents relating to Project Nexus available in the BIS Innovation Hub.   4.      In view of the foregoing, we have attached a document summarizing the list of acceptable characters superseding any and all other issuances relating to this subject.   5.      Validation of field lengths and message structure will continue to be implemented in PESONet 2.0   6.        Accordingly, the validation of special characters has been disabled in the PESONet 2.0 UAT environment and will be re-enabled when PESONet 2.0 goes live on 24 March 2025.   7.         Participants are reminded that the validation of special characters will be implemented on 30 June 2025.   8.        We trust everything would be in order.

PESONet Operating Guidelines V3 and FAQs 031025

KEY AMENDMENTS TO THE CICS RULES AND REGULATIONS 1.      We are pleased to announce the availability of the Revised  CICS Rules and Regulations  (CICS RR) which now include the Board-approved amendments outlined in OM No. 25-051.   2.      To assist participants in their task of disseminating information and raising awareness about the new and revised provisions of the rules, which will take effect on March 1, 2025 (unless previously addressed by earlier issuances), we have summarized the key changes below:   2.1.          Retention of the Physical Original Check or POC (Section 12 of the Revised CICS RR) 2.1.1.      Required retention period of the POC by the Presenting Bank is now 180-days in contrast to the previous 12-months requirement 2.1.2.      Three (3) allowed reasons for Drawee Bank to request custody of the POC 2.1.2.1.      Litigation Court Order 2.1.2.2.      Fraud Investigation 2.1.2.3.      Examination of POC to confirm duplication/counterfeiting or whether it bears alteration or forged endorsement or forged signature 2.1.3.      If Presenting Bank is unable to produce the POC when requested by the Drawee Bank, course of action shall be determined by the Drawee Bank   2.2.          Additional Reason for Return (Section 18 & 27 of the Revised CICS RR) 2.2.1.      Return Reason Code ‘E’ (Use of non-prescribed Date Format or Writing of Symbols or Marks or other details before and/or after Amount in Figures) shall be deployed when the moratorium on non-acceptance of checks with special characters/marks/symbols on Amount in Figures and/or inappropriate Date of Issue Format will expire at the end of June 2025.   2.3.          Special Returns (Section 19 of the Revised CICS RR) 2.3.1.      Cleared items may be returned beyond the prescribed period but within the 180-days retention period via Transmittal Letter for the following reason: 2.3.1.1.      Alteration (where alteration is not visible) 2.3.1.2.      Counterfeit (where counterfeiting is not obvious) 2.3.1.3.      Duplicate Items (exceptions where Drawee Bank may claim reimbursement from the Presenting Bank: 2.3.1.3.1.    From one and the same Presenting Bank 2.3.1.3.2.    Duplicate payment to a Counterfeit Check   2.4.          Flaws Not Considered as Technical Defect/s (Section 2 & 21 of the Revised CICS RR) 2.4.1.      The following are not part of Technical Defect/s: 2.4.1.1.      Counterfeit (where counterfeiting is not obvious) 2.4.1.2.      Alteration (where alteration is not visible) 2.4.1.3.      Missing Drawer Signature   2.5.          Special Clearing of Returns (Section 22 of the Revised CICS RR) 2.5.1.      Acceptance by the Presenting Bank is mandatory if: 2.5.1.1.      Presenting Bank has been informed of additional returns via direct presentment before the 10:00 AM release of float 2.5.1.2.      Drawee Bank must have a written acknowledgment from the Presenting Bank of the advisory of additional return via direct presentment; OR 2.5.1.3.      SCR must be signed by the Authorized Signatory of the Presenting Bank   2.6.          Ping-Pong Special Clearing Receipt or Charge Slip (Section 24 of the Revised CICS RR) 2.6.1.      Return/non-acceptance of Charge Slip intended for returns which acceptance is mandatory for the Presenting Bank (e.g. Technical Defect) and/or presentment of Special Clearing Receipt not signed/no written acknowledgment from the Presenting Bank are considered unauthorized transactions which should not be part of the clearing results settled at PhilPaSSPlus, and as such considered as violation of the Check Clearing Rules: 2.6.1.1.      Violator shall be penalized by PCHC 2.6.1.2.      PCHC shall reverse such unauthorized transaction/s   2.7.          Dispute Settlement (Section 36 of the Revised CICS RR) 2.7.1.      Only the following claims of the Drawee Bank can be filed at the PCHC for arbitration: 2.7.1.1.      Counterfeit 2.7.1.2.      Duplicate 2.7.1.3.      Forged Endorsement/No Endorsement 2.7.1.4.      Alteration 2.7.1.5.      Technical Defects 2.7.1.6.      POC not produced by the Presenting Bank when requested by the Drawee Bank 2.7.2.      Modes of Dispute Settlement shall be: 2.7.2.1.      Mediation 2.7.2.2.      Arbitration

February 24, 2025   T O        :              All PESONet Participating Institutions   R E         :              UPDATES ON THE ONGOING PESONET 2.0 USER ACCEPTANCE TESTING                                                1.      PCHC would like to extend its gratitude to all PESONet participants for their active involvement in the ongoing User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for PESONet 2.0.   2.      Moving forward, we wish to remind you of the current project schedule as discussed during the recent briefing on the UAT for PESONet 2.0 held on February 13, 2025:   UAT (Cycle 1) February 17 – 28, 2025 Period for Rectification of Defects March 3 – 7, 2025 UAT (Cycle 2) March 10 – 14, 2025 Live Date March 24, 2025   3.      Please be informed also of the final URL for the PESONet 2.0 Production environment:   Front-End https://portal.pchc.com.ph Web Service API https://api-pesonet20.pchc.com.ph   4.      We have released the relevant test scripts for the PESONet 2.0 UAT.  We kindly request that participants complete the attached Sign-Off Form and submit it via email to  pesonet20@pchc.com.ph  by March 17, 2025.   5.      Moreover, we would like to clarify the List of Acceptable Characters in use within PESONet 2.0, whether via API, EIF or Manual Entry in the Front-End.   6.      Attached to this Memo Circular is the list of acceptable characters. Notably, the plus sign  (+)  is an acceptable character pursuant to the PESONet Web Service API specifications.   7.      PCHC will be holding another briefing via Zoom on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM  to discuss the results of the UAT and provide updates on the resolution of identified issues in preparation for UAT Cycle 2.   8.      Each participating institution is enjoined to send at least 3 participants.  Kindly send the names of the designated participants via e-mail to Ms. Monet Paguirigan at monetpaguirigan@pchc.com.ph no later than March 3, 2025.   9.      We again look forward to your active participation.