Metrobank has rolled out new anti-fraud controls on its mobile banking app, including a 24-hour transaction freeze after critical account changes, a feature that lets customers lock funds, and geolocation-based security checks.
The new measures come as social engineering remains a major source of financial fraud. Citing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data, Metrobank said phishing, account takeovers, identity theft, and other social engineering attacks accounted for 76% of reported cyber fraud losses in 2025.
One of the new controls is a 24-hour “Cooling-Off Period” that is automatically activated when critical security settings, such as a customer’s password or registered device, are changed.
During the cooling-off period, transactions through the Metrobank App are temporarily disabled. The measure is intended to give customers time to detect unauthorized account changes before funds can be transferred.
Metrobank has also introduced “Money Lock,” which allows customers to lock part or all of their available balance through the app. Locked funds cannot be transferred or used for transactions, including scheduled transactions, until the customer unlocks them.
The bank said the feature is designed to protect funds even if another person gains access to a customer’s card or account. Customers, however, need to maintain enough unlocked funds for scheduled transactions to avoid disruptions.
Another security layer uses geolocation information. The app checks whether a transaction is being initiated from the customer’s registered mobile device and its location. Transactions showing unusual or inconsistent information can be flagged as potentially suspicious.
Metrobank also added Payee Verification for transfers to other Metrobank accounts. Before a transfer is completed, the app displays a masked version of the recipient’s registered account name, allowing the sender to check whether the intended account matches the recipient.
The bank said the security measures support anti-scam initiatives under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) and amendments introduced under BSP Circular No. 1213.
Customers need to update to the latest version of the Metrobank App to access the new features.
