Metrobank rolls out new anti-fraud features

Metrobank has introduced four new security features on its mobile banking app as banks strengthen defenses against increasingly sophisticated digital fraud.

The new features — Cooling-Off Period, Money Lock, Geolocation and Payee Verification — are designed to give customers greater control over their accounts and add safeguards against unauthorized transactions.

The move comes as social engineering attacks, including phishing, account takeovers and identity theft, accounted for 76 percent of reported cyber fraud losses in 2025, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Under the Cooling-Off Period, the app automatically disables transactions for 24 hours after critical security settings, such as a password or registered device, are changed. The feature is intended to give customers time to detect and report unauthorized changes before funds are transferred.

The Money Lock feature allows users 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.

Geolocation adds another layer of security by checking whether transactions are initiated from the customer's registered mobile device and its location. Unusual activity may be flagged to help prevent unauthorized transactions.

Meanwhile, Payee Verification displays a masked version of the recipient's registered account name before a transfer to another Metrobank account is completed, allowing customers to verify the recipient and reduce transfer errors.

Metrobank said the enhancements form part of its efforts to strengthen digital banking security and support the government's broader anti-scam initiatives under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act and BSP Circular No. 1213.

Customers can access the new features by updating to the latest version of the Metrobank App.