Metrobank has rolled out four new security features on its mobile banking app as banks face growing threats from phishing, account takeovers, and other scams targeting customers.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said social engineering attacks, including phishing, account takeovers, and identity theft, accounted for 76% of reported cyber fraud losses in 2025.
The new Metrobank App features are designed to give customers more control over their money and add more checks against unauthorized transactions.
1. A 24-hour safety period after major account changes
The Cooling-Off Period automatically starts when customers make critical security changes, such as changing their password or registered device.
For the next 24 hours, transactions through the app are disabled. This gives customers time to spot suspicious changes, secure their accounts, and report possible fraud before money can be moved.
2. Lock your savings from the app
Money Lock enables customers to immediately lock part or all of their available balance through the Metrobank App.
Locked funds cannot be transferred or used for transactions, including scheduled transactions, until the customer unlocks them.
This can help protect savings if a customer suspects that their account has been compromised. Customers should make sure they have enough unlocked funds for upcoming or scheduled payments before using the feature.
3. Check where transactions are coming from
Metrobank has also added Geolocation checks as another layer of protection.
The app checks whether a transaction is coming from the customer’s registered mobile device and its location. If the activity looks unusual, the system can flag it and help prevent an unauthorized transaction from going through.
The check happens in the background, so customers do not have to take additional steps during normal transactions.
4. Check the recipient before sending money
Payee Verification helps customers avoid sending money to the wrong Metrobank account because of a typo or other mistake.
Before a transfer is completed, the app shows a masked version of the recipient’s registered account name. Customers can then check that the money is going to the intended person before confirming the transaction.
The new features are part of Metrobank’s continuing efforts to strengthen digital banking security and support government efforts to combat scams under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) and amendments under BSP Circular No. 1213.
Customers can access the security features by updating to the latest version of the Metrobank App.