Global Microsoft Outage Disrupts Digital Services for Major PH Banks

A global tech outage involving Microsoft-based systems has disrupted digital banking services for several major Philippine banks, affecting a wide range of sectors including telecommunications and airlines worldwide.

Impact on Local Banks

Metrobank

Metrobank advised customers that some of its online banking products and services may experience slowdowns or temporary unavailability. Despite the outage, clients can still access funds through ATMs and deposit funds via Cash Accept Machines. Metrobank assured it is closely monitoring the situation to restore affected services promptly.

UnionBank

UnionBank reported that the outage is affecting one of its systems providers, resulting in temporary unavailability of its customer service hotline, some branch services, and online credit card transactions. Customers are encouraged to use the UnionBank Online app or website, or visit any of the ATMs nationwide for essential banking services.

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)

BPI also acknowledged the issue, which has impacted certain operations, causing longer wait times in branches and contact centers. Customers might experience delays in crediting financial transactions, including bill payments and interbank fund transfers. BPI’s technical team is working closely with the provider to resolve the issue, with all branches, ATMs, and online banking services remaining available.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC)

RCBC is experiencing technical difficulties affecting RCBC Pulz, Online Banking, and Diskartech services, resulting in slowdowns in online banking transactions. The following services are temporarily unavailable:

• RCBC Pulz and Online Banking
• Fund transfers via Instapay, PesoNet, Swift, and PDDTS
• Bills payment
• Cardless withdrawal
• Credit card services
• Online check deposit
• PayDay NOW and Salary Loan NOW
• Diskartech

Customers can continue transactions at any RCBC branch or ATM nationwide.

Philippine National Bank (PNB)

PNB customers may have experienced intermittent issues with some banking channels. The technical team is on standby to ensure normal operations resume once the outage is resolved.

Conclusion

Philippine banks are taking measures to mitigate the impact of the global Microsoft outage on their digital services. Customers are advised to use alternative banking channels such as ATMs and mobile banking apps while technical teams work to restore full services.