It wasn’t long ago when I wrote on how to open a Philippine bank account in Canada. After asking other bloggers and customer service, not surprisingly, I often received auto replies.
Then came a lot of impossibilities. OFWs should open a bank account before they leave.
OK so I learn from my mistake; what’s next other wallowing in regret?
Think positive . . . and keep on asking.
Then the good news came from the Philippine National Bank which I asked on Facebook and here’s the reply:
Account opening is done at any of the PNB branches, with the following requirements:
- 1 valid primary ID
- 2 ID pictures (1×1 or 2×2)
- Accomplished Account Opening Forms:
- Client Information Form
- Account Information Form
- Signature Card
- Conditions Form (which are available at the branch)
- Initial deposit:
- PHP 3,000 for a regular ATM Savings Account
- PHP 10,000 for a regular Passbook Savings Account or a regular Checking Account
It’s not a lot of information but good enough to give me hope . . . to keep on researching for more information.
Proof: Open a Philippine National Bank Account Abroad?
Not fully convinced with the response I received through emails and social media, I looked for more proof.
Little did I know that I shouldn’t have searched too far.
Maria, the ex-OFW blogger, is writing on Pinas for Good since 2013. I’ve been following her blog for a year and was inspired to share my journey of financial freedom. (What I’m trying to say is for you to read her blog; you wouldn’t regret it.)
For some, trips are for relaxing; others like Maria, it meant more.
She went to Forth Washington, Maryland to open a Philippine National Bank account in USA. (Click here for PNB overseas directory.) This was her second bank trip; the first was in New York to open a BPI account.
Although it is not set in Canada, a proof is a proof. It really is possible and not yet too late to start saving on Philippine banks. I am motivated to have a bank trip like Maria. Not so fast though.
Trips can wait but not my curiosity, so I called the PNB offices in Canada. (I am always amaze how information is accessible online and calls cost nothing because of toll-free numbers.)
PNB Overseas Offices
The PNB Remittance Company (Canada) (PNBRCC) is a subsidiary of the Philippine National Bank. PNBRCC claims that it is number one when it comes to remittances to the Philippines.
Share the kind of service you’ve experienced with the following branches:
Corporate Office
Address: Unit 104, 3050 Confederation Parkway, Mississauga, ON L5B 3Z6
Tel No: 905-896-9743 / 905-896-4840 / 905-897-9600
Fax: 905-897-9601
Toll Free No: 1-866-922-7460
Email: pnbremittance@pnbrcc.com and info@pnbrcc.com
Business Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday: closed
I tried calling (toll free number) the branch in British Columbia but no one was answering so I called the corporate office. It didn’t take more than five minutes and I’m already getting the details on how to open a PNB checking account.
- Processing fee is $30
- Duration to receive PNB cheque: 8-10 weeks
I was so ecstatic have someone on the line to verify the information. Finally, I am satisfied for now.
PNB Contact Information in Calgary
For Filipinos living in Calgary, you can read my post on how I opened a PNB checking account in Calgary and call this phone number (587) 969-8762 for inquiry. The staff at the corporate office in Ontario gave me the phone number. So it really pays off to ask questions to get first-hand information.
Good customer service. Check.
I’m more convinced to choose PNB among the Philippine banks whether located overseas or in the Philippines. Feel free to disagree or agree but don’t forget to find out the other branches of PNBRCC.
Ontario
Mississauga Branch
Address: Unit 104, 3050 Confederation Parkway, Mississauga, ON L5B 3Z6
Tel No: (905) 896-8010
Fax: 905-896-9338
Email: mississauga@pnb.com.ph
Business Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 am – 6:30 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Sunday: closed
Seafood City Branch
Address: 800 Boyer Blvd. Unit 300 Mississauga, ON L5V 2Y1
Tel No: 905-812-8010
Fax: 905-812-8011
Email: seafoodcity@pnb.com.ph
Business Hours:
Monday, Thursday, and Friday: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
Tuesday and Wednesday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wilson Branch
Address: Unit 101-333 Wilson Avenue Toronto, ON M3H 1T2
Tel No: 416-630-1400
Fax: 416-630-1406
Email: wilson@pnb.com.ph and wilson@pnbrcc.com
Business Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 10:00 am – 6:30 pm
Friday to Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:30 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Scarborough Branch
Address: 3430 Sheppard Avenue East Scarborough, ON M1T 3K4
Tel No: 416-293-8758
Fax: 416-293-7376
Email: scarborough@pnbrcc.com
Business Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 am – 6:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Sunday: closed
Sherbourne Branch – closed
British Columbia
Vancouver Branch
Address: 365 West Broadway Vancouver, BC V5Y 1P8
Tel No: 604-737-4944
Toll Free No: 1-877-762-1165
Fax: 604-737-4948
Email: vancouver@pnb.com.ph and vancouver@pnbrcc.com
Business Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: closed
Surrey Branch
Address: 13521-102 Avenue, Surrey, BC V3T 4X8
Tel No: 604-581-6762
Fax: 604-581-6299
Email: surrey@pnb.com.ph, surrey@rccmail.com, and surrey@pnbrcc.com
Business Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: closed
Manitoba
Winnipeg Branch
Address: 737 Keewatin St. Unit 7 Winnipeg, MB R2X 3B9
Tel No: 204-697-8860
Fax: 204-697-8865
Email: winnipeg@pnb.com.ph and winnipeg@pnbrcc.com
Business Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday: closed
I’ll let you know if I have my own account while not leaving Calgary or embark on a trip to Vancouver (the closest branch in Calgary). But wait. It should be on the top of my to-do list.
I am challenging myself to open a PNB checking account before going on a vacation. Skip the vacation but not the account. (Bring it on!)
Update: I Received My PNB Savings ATM Debit Mastercard
It’s here. I finally received my PNB Savings ATM Debit Mastercard after several emails. So here’s what happened to give you an idea of what you will have to go through.
But first DON’T stress yourself. Do have a lot of patience because you’ll get the card eventually. As to when, is a mystery.
In September 2017, I opened for a PNB checking account but in February 2018, I received a savings ATM card. That was strange.
It turns out that the checking account in the Philippines is different from the chequing account in Canada.
It’s not ideal to use a checking account in the Philippines (unless you have a business) for daily banking unlike the chequing account in Canada. The best choice is a savings account.
That’s why, I didn’t argue why I have a savings instead of a checking account. Waiting taught me even more to have patience and compassion and be grateful. I didn’t lose my Php 6,000.00 initial deposit which I can use for investing in crowdfunding.
Tip: Watch out for the PNB Debit Savings Account fees and charges.
I asked my sibling about it for more clarification. She’s expert among us since she was the first to open a Philippine bank account. The youngest, the wisest, and the fastest.
Why did it take 5 months for me to receive the PNB ATM card?
It was a misunderstanding. I kept sending email and been told that the PNB Vancouver branch doesn’t have the card yet. (From Vancouver the card will be sent to Calgary.)
Then the PNB representative in Calgary sent an email that he already have my ATM. He had been calling yet I wasn’t picking up the phone. Oppps! Clearly, I’m not a phone person. Don’t call me. Why not send me a text instead or email.
So if you are still waiting for your card, make sure to keep in touch with your local PNB representative in Canada through email and phone. Add the contact number so you wouldn’t doubt if it is a legitimate call.
Don’t be like me. If I see a phone number instead of a name every time my phone rings, I’m not going to answer it. “I don’t know you.”
Leave a voice message or text if it is that important. I know it’s rude but I’m trying to be safe from confused strangers and bank staff trying to sell me something that I don’t need.
Now that the wait is over, the next thing I did is to open an online PNB account using the ATM card and find out what else I can do with it other than saving for a vacation back home. Stay up-to-date for the future post about PNB and more.
Let us know in the comment if you were able to open a checking or savings account while working abroad.
Kung ganun din lang na may processing fee ($100), I might just as well send it thru remittance and have it deposited directly to my bank account (not necessarily PNB) in the Philippines for only $10/transaction. That is such a scam and not helping OFW’s at all.
I just opened a PNB account at the PNB Seafood City office in Mississauga last week. I was charged $150 and presumed, having read through the previous posts and doing my own research, that the processing fee was $30 and that the balance would go towards maintaining the minimum balance required by the PNB Account (PhP3000). I was of course shocked to find out that the processing fee to open the account was already $100 (!! – which is >3x the fee cited at the end of 2019) which would mean that I would not meet the minimum PhP amount for the account (my account balance was just over PhP1600). The expectation is probably that I would return to PNB Seafood City to make a deposit/money transfer so they could charge me again….maybe not.
The increase in processing fee is quite surprisingly high considering that here in Canada we don’t have to pay anything in opening an account other than the monthly fee for not meeting the maintaining balance. This change will definitely put off many Filipinos in opening a PNB account. Philippine banks should encourage Filipinos regardless of location to have a bank account. The good thing is there are many online banks in the Philippines like ING (we used to have it in Canada). My sibling has an ING account and can vouch for its advantages. But for Filipinos living abroad, we cannot apply for now. I hope this restriction will change soon.
I need info and someone’s help. Trying to direct deposit monthly pension payment from Canada to a PMB. But I’m told PNB needs a sorting number or a BRSTN (branch routing system transit number.) same thing.
But when asked at PNB get two answers. 1. Not required only need Swift Code.
2. But Pension Clerk needs a 9 digit number starting with a 0 and 8 other numbers total of 9.
Anyone ever had this problem? Please help.
Can I open account while I’m here in Canada and can I used my Scotiabank to transfer bank to bank?
Yes you can open an account Victor. I am not sure if you can transfer an amount from Scotiabank (or any Canadian bank) to a PNB account. I haven’t tried it myself; maybe I should give it a go. Hope you can give us an update.
Ask ko lang po nandito ako sa Calgary, Alberta and gusto ko po sanang magkaroon ng account sa Pinas pwede po ba ang online application to have an account?
Ask of now, online application is not possible. But there are online banks in the Philippines like ING but I am not sure if they will allow a Filipino living abroad to open an online account. I did ask but haven’t received a response.
Ive been trying to register for an online banking using different browsers (Google Chrome, IE, Firefox) from a Windows Laptop and iphone (with Safari and PNB mobile app) with no avail. It always had the “Invalid Savings Account” error.
Today, I randomly borrowed my sister’s Macbook and used Safari and guess what? Registration was successful and I can now access my bank account online!
Sherbourne branch of PNB Remittance is closed.
Thanks for the info. I already updated the post.
Hi,
Thank you so much for your blog, it is very helpful to me. I had my bank accounts inactive in the Philippines for so many years, left the country in 2007. Now, I need a bank account ASAP and your post is a true gem!!! I went to PNB remittance centre on July 27,2019 and I got my savings account number on July 29,2019. Amazing. That quick!!! My ATM will arrive January 2020. That is ok, since I do not need it yet. Thank you so much again.
Have you tried to open PNB account for online use?
Welcome Orange. It’s great that the application is fast but how come it will take you a long time to get your ATM card? Once you get your ATM, you can create a PNB online account. It’s free to transfer between PNB accounts. You can also pay bills online. I use Remitly to deposit money online on my PNB account. It saves me time and money (charge is cheaper compare to remittance center).
I did get my ATM card with a PIN but was told I need to apply for OTP to be able to register my PNB account online. Is there an easier way to get this OTP without having to mail paper application form to the Philippines from Canada? Thanks.
There’s a link on how to open an online account in the post Sandra. I received my OTP through a text message in Canada right away.
Hi, can I check if it is possible to setup an account even before I arrive in Canada? I should be in Toronto on the last week of August and would love to get the account setup out of the way as I would be busy locking an apartment and school for my kids on my first week. Is this possible? Thank you!
If possible Jemm, open an account in the Philippines or wherever you are. Otherwise, you inquire to the Sherbourne or Wilson branch in Ontario througj email about requirements etc. You may also call the corporate office’s toll-free number.
Hi! I was fishing for some information on how to open a Philippine bank account in Canada and I found your blog to be very helpful and informative. Just curious as to why you chose PNB over Metrobank? Or did you ever consider Metrobank? Thank you.
Hi Ja. I would prefer to have many choices but my goal is to open a Philippine bank account. Any bank. And fortunately, I was able to open a PNB account because there’s no way I could do so with Metrobank. The latter was my first choice if possible. Regardless, I have a bank account which opens a lot of possibilities in saving and investing.
Hello. I am planning to open an account in PNB to be used for my little business in the Philippines. I am wondering in case I need to withdraw or send money to Canadian bank; would it be possible and how much it cost. Thank you.
I am not sure if that’s possible Mhalin. What I do know is that it is more expensive to send money to the Philippines through a Canadian bank.
Hi Zenny, I do PNB to PNBb account to my family in Pinas… and yes, they take Canada mobile number for OTP. I have been doing it for two years now.
Hi PPG can you send us the number of PNB representative in Calgary? Thanks.
For more visibility I updated the post.
I was told, the PNB savings account doesn’t really earn interest. It’s more of like safekeeping, for convenience when you go back home; please correct me if this is wrong info.
It earns interest but it’s small unlike when you put the money in MP2 and/or Pag-IBIG (I have both which earn annual dividends). Savings account is good for keeping money in a short term but if you want to earn huge interest you’ll have to consider investing once you have an emergency fund.
Hi I’m here in Calgary, Canada I opened account in the Philippines for my (OFW) savings. Is there any branch here in Calgary that I can deposit direct to my account without payment?
Thanks
Hi Salve. When depositing to your account from overseas, I’ve been told that it is similar to remitting to yourself (OFW savings account). It comes with a fee. If you are sending remittance to the Philippines might as well ask a relative to deposit a certain amount to your PNB account free of charge. I haven’t done this since I just received my ATM debit card and about to find out how to use it.
Hi Randy, what are the requirements they asked when you opened your PNB account at the branch in Ayala? Will they allow even if you’re already a Canadian citizen? I haven’t applied for dual citizenship yet.
Thanks.
Anyone tried transferring funds from your PNB account to another PNB account? Is Canadian mobile number recognized to receive OTP?
Hello po I want to open an account of PNB here in Edmonton thru online because I recently had a stroke. Is there any offices here para maka open ng account po. Salamat po.
Hi Mary Jane. Although PNB doesn’t have an office in Edmonton, you can call (use the toll-free number) the corporate office in Ontario to find out if they have a representative in Edmonton. That’s what I did. I was able to open a PNB account in Calgary. And sadly, you cannot open an account online. But if there’s a PNB representative in Edmonton, then you can ask for a meet up near your place or wherever convenient. Your request might be considered due to medical reason. Hope that helps. May you get well soon.
Hi pag nag open ba ako ng savings account here in Canada makakatanggap ba ako ng deposit from the Philippines?
This is the response from PNB Facebook Page: “They can deposit on your account through any PNB Branch.” Once I received my PNB ATM Card then I’ll write more about PNB. So stay updated.
Opened an account in Ayala, during my Vacation in the Philippines, I got my ATM after 4 weeks here in Scarborough branch, Ontario.
I opened also a savings account at PNB Remittance in Scarborough for my SSS Pension last April 2017. PNB Expana branch sent only my ATM card on Sept 7 after many follow ups…phone calls and emails. Sent 2 emails to their customer service….did not get any response. Very poor customer service.
I opened a savings account at PNB Remittance in Surrey for my SSS Pension last April 2017. Until now mid of September I haven’t received my ATM Card. I already called PNB branch in Mandaluyong along Shaw Boulevard for follow up and that’s the only time they processed my card. But unfortunately until now I haven’t received my ATM card. SSS sent me a letter that I have to confirm with the bank where my pension is being remitted. Failure to comply will result to temporary suspension of my pension. Hope you can help me solve this problem. Every time I call PNB Remittance Surrey for follow up they said it’s not there yet. Do I have to wait for 7 months to 1 year before i get that card?
That’s quite a long time since you opened the account Salve. I can’t give any feedback since I’ve opened an account in Calgary only last week. I’ve been told that I’ll receive an email for the account number then I’ll get the ATM/passbook later on. Have you tried calling the corporate office in Ontario through the toll-free number. I hope you get a response from PNB soon and that your SSS Pension can be remitted to another accessible account.