Comparison of Banks

After going through so many banks, I realized that I just want a several few I can trust. Let me reflect back on the different banks

1. BPI - savings ATM account, mutual fund, credit card
Pros:
Can schedule branch account appoint online! (Unfortunately, it's not yet available on the mobile app, and it's not available for the customer service part)
ATM - accessible online, money transfer, easy deposit via cash deposit machine, can use ATM internationally, can pay for my HSBC credit card
Mutual fund - has monthly hassle-free investment program
Credit Card - occasional promos with Jollibee, etc
Home loan - pre-approved for a 5.5% 4-yr fixed interest

Cons:
Very hard to talk to a phonebanking officer (last December, it took me 2 hours before I gave up)
Home Loan processing has more paperwork requirements
Always have a lot of people in the Katipunan branch

2. BDO - savings with checking account, IUTF, credit card
Pros:
ATM - bundled with checking account
IUTF - also has a regular EIP for investment
Credit card - rebate card, so no need to keep track of points expiry etc
Home loan - delayed in their response. but at least I got pre-approved for a 5.88% 5-yr fixed rate

Cons:
Interbank and online charges for transferring money!!!?
Credit card - made a scheduled payment to my credit card, but my savings account wasn't deducted and I WASN'T informed that my "scheduled" payment didn't come through. I don't understand why, because my savings account was fully funded. I was charged for penalty and interest fee. Though I called it up and clarified, they waived the penalty fee but not the interest. I just let it go and decided thereon that I would never use the scheduled payment ever again.
Home loan - online doesn't work. They had false advertising over a promo for it.
BDO Berkeley Residences and San Pablo-Maharlika has better branch customer service with more personnel.

3. Metrobank
Pros:
Branch - usually not much line in Katipunan branch
Savings account - can use ATM internationally (with better rates than BPI), can pay my SecBank credit card, linked to my ALFM fund
Credit Card - occasional credit card promos, easier to earn points
Home loan - currently have promo rates of 5.88% with 5.5% subject to approval

Cons:
less branches
home loan - processing is said to be very slooow

4. HSBC - credit card
Pros:
Branch - few people
Phone banking - great; they even let them call you from their website
Credit card - this is one of my oldest card, and I never had a problem (but need to call to waived annual fees, etc), I use it internationally, can pay my Globe and Smart bills online anytime
Home loan - rate is attractive, promo is attractive (waived 100k fees)

Cons:
not much promos
not much branches

5. Citibank - credit card
Pros:
can easily pay my Globe and Smart bills online
can use internationally without a problem
phone banking - so many buttons to click before I can talk to an officer
mobile and online app

Cons:
had a bit of a hassle waiving my annual fee

6. Security Bank - credit card (newest one so maybe not much experience yet)
Pros:
Branch - few people; lots of branches
Phone banking - can also let them call you; or in my case, I can SMS one of their personnel to ask
Credit card - rebate (no need to watch the points)
Home Loan - elastic fantastic option

Cons:
Credit card - cannot pay my telecom bills online
Home Loan - appraisal fee, before they can pre-approve


I am seriously thinking of closing my BDO savings account, and opening an account elsewhere. But I haven't decided what bank yet. I was thinking wherever home loan bank that will approve us instead.

Certification for Visa Requirements

I know I said I'm not going to travel this year. It's a year supposedly to rest. And yet, after attending the travel expo, I suddenly want to go out and visit my friends in different countries. That's why I want to go to US, Canada, and New Zealand. Then there's the family Japan trip next March. So, as early as now, I want to start my visa applications. I hope to go to Canada or US this year, maybe October or November and see falling leaves :)

Anyway, I applied for US interview, then plan to submit my documents online for Canadian visa. I don't know what to do with the hard copies of my requirements though. If I am going to apply for a Japan or New Zealand visa, as early as now, or maybe just use them for my reference hehe

So... there is the usual requirements like the application forms, certificate of employment, and ITR. What I want to disclose is the information I've gained with regards to certifications for investments and bank deposits.

Bank Products:

1. BPI Savings account - request it at your branch of choice, claim it on the same afternoon. Fee PhP 100.
2. BPI Direct Savings account - call BPI direct at 89-100, claim it at your branch of choice after one week. Fee PhP 100.
3. BDO Savings account - request it at your branch, claim at the next day (or get yesterday's balance if you want to claim on the same day). Fee PhP 100. Includes current available balance as of a certain date.
4. BDO IUTF - request it at branch where you opened it, claim it the next day. Fee PhP 100.

Investments

1. COL Financial - fill up form, and email to stockcerts@colfinancial.com. 2-3 days (you can choose by email, pick up or mail). Fee PhP 100. Includes date when we opened the account, Cash Position, Stock positions, and Total Equity Value as of date requested.
2. Metrosec - fill up form, email to metrosec. 2-3 days. Fee PhP 50.
3. ALFM - call ALFM, claim it at BPI branch of convenience after 2-3 days. (My ALFM account is tied up with my BPI RSP.)  Free. 
4. FAMI - email/call FAMI, mail to you within 2-3 days. Free. Includes number of shares and balance of account as of requested date.
5. Philequity - I emailed them, but no reply. (Anyway, service here is really slow for the last couple of weeks while I was doing my regular transactions, so I didn't even expect much.)
6. Sunlife Maxilink Prime - requested in via email, still don't know when it will arrive in the mail. (Apparently) Free.

So... because of these things, I am thinking if I should just really maintain most of my money in Mutual Funds. At least, I can request certification from them for free. Most convenient is ALFM, but I guess FAMI should be convenient if the mail gets to me in 2-3 days time.

I have also used BPI's ABF Bond fund, and transferring money from my Bond Fund to my Savings Account, while I was abroad was also easy. Though it took 2-3 working days, I think. Definitely needs some time allowance.

It's rather hard looking at several portfolios and investments. I am thinking after 5 years' time, I should just take my money out, and transfer it to my other stocks... But then, what would happen to my compound interests, right?