US Banks in the Philippines

There are 3 US banks in the Philippines. All 3 are commercial banks and operating as overseas branches of the US banks.

1. Citibank, N.A.
2. Bank of America, N.A.
3. JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Of these 3 US banks, it’s only CITIBANK that offers consumer banking in the Philippines. Its credit cards are also among the most popular credit cards in the country.
It has 3 branches: Makati City, San Juan City, and Cebu City

5 ATM locations in Makati
2  in Mandaluyong
2  in Muntinlupa
2  in Taguig
3  in Pasay City
1  in Quezon City
1  in San Juan City
1  in Cebu City

Maximum Limit per Day for ATM Withdrawals by Citibank Account Owners:

• At non-Citibank ATMs: 40,000 pesos
• At Citibank ATMs:
  3,000 US dollars or its peso equivalent
  (minus amount already withdrawn at non-Citibank ATMs)
• Call 995 9999 anytime if you need to withdraw more at a non-Citibank ATM
• Free Withdrawal at any ATM
• Withdrawal of US dollars:
• If you have a Philippine-based Citibank US dollar account, you can withdraw US dollars from any Citibank ATM, except the ones at the US Embassy.

Location of the main office of Citibank:
9th Floor, Citibank Tower
8741 Paseo de Roxas St.
Makati City 1226

Phone: 894-7700
Fax: 894-7703
Website: citibank.com.ph

See here Citibank branch and ATM locations

Is it easy to open and maintain a Citibank savings account in the Philippines?

Citibank’s requirement for an account owner is to maintain monthly a minimum Total Relationship Balance of at least 1 million pesos or its equivalent in US dollars. It not only considers deposits; it also includes investments in the bank. The penalty for not being able to maintain the minimum amount is 1,000 pesos.

Why are Citibank credit cards popular in the Philippines?

They’re easier to get. Applying for them is easier — they’re offered at supermarkets and at malls. Increasing your credit limit is also easier.

By the way, I got a Citibank credit card in 2018 when they offered an attractive balance transfer rate, the lowest I’ve experienced.

The other two US banks in the Philippines — Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase Bank — cater only to corporations, government agencies and other institutions. They do not have ATMs.

Bank of America, N.A. 
27th Floor, Philamlife Tower
8767 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City 1226
Trunkline: 815-5000 / 815-5600
Fax: 815-5582


JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. 
31st Floor, Philamlife Tower
8767 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City 1229
Phone: 885-7925
Fax: 885-7924


Banking information for foreign travelers to the Philippines or those planning to stay here:

• You can use your US-issued debit cards in most ATMs in the Philippines.
• At many ATMs, maximum limit per withdrawal is 10,000 pesos. Maximum limit per day is 20,000 pesos.
  In other ATMs, maximum limit per withdrawal is 4,000 or 5,000 pesos.
• ATM withdrawal fee is 200 to 250 pesos per withdrawal.
• International payment networks honored here (debit and credit cards):
  1. Mastercard/Maestro/Cirrus
  2. Visa/Plus
  3. American Express
  4. UnionPay
  5. KTCP
  6. NYCE
• Bring more than one type/brand of card so you have backup cards
• When traveling to the provinces, bring enough cash in pesos. Credit cards are not accepted in many provincial areas.
• US-issued cheques need around one month to clear here. In addition, you need to have a US dollar account here to which you can deposit your US cheque.
• For US pensioners planning to retire here:
  Here are Direct Deposit account options that you can consider.
• Are foreigners allowed to open a bank account here in the Philippines?
  Yes. Present your passport and ACR-ICard. You will fill up an application form that asks personal information, including your residential address in the Philippines.
  If you have a work permit or student registration card, bring them, in case these are required. Expect some banks to be stricter in their requirements than others.
• Do you live in Los Angeles or New York City?
  There are Philippine banks there: Metrobank and Philippine National Bank
• You can send money online from your US bank account or using your US debit or credit card to your Philippine bank account through these online money transfer companies:
  1. Xoom.com
  2. Transferwise
  3. WorldRemit.com
  4. SmallWorldFS.com
  5. Remitly.com
  6. ShareMoney.com
  7. LuckyMoney.com
  8. WellsFargo.com
  9. RiaMoneyTransfer.com
  10. Transfast.com
  11. Moneygram.com
  12. WesternUnion.com

I thought Wells Fargo is one of the American banks in the Philippines.
Yes, Wells Fargo is here in the Philippines, but it’s only operating as a representative office. Its office is at the Enterprise Center along Ayala Avenue in Makati. It has a business process and corporate support operation at the BGC.

Wells Fargo is known here in the country because of its ExpressSend remittance service in the US. Its remittance partners are BDO, BPI, PNB, Metrobank, Cebuana Lhuillier and MLhuillier.

Citibank Philippines has banking advice for Citibank clients abroad who are moving to the Philippines.

Wells Fargo also has tips for its customers traveling abroad.