BDO Unibank Inc. reminded its customers to only download the mobile banking application through official digital store platforms amid cybersecurity risks.
In the advisory issued last Monday, the Sy-led bank advised against downloading mobile apps from unofficial platforms and websites. The listed bank warned these may offer outdated versions of the app, or include malicious software or malware.
BDO shares fell by 0.80 percent, or 90 centavos, to close at P111 each amid the 0.63-percent drop for the main index on Monday.
“Scammers use malware to gather confidential information that may be saved in mobile devices, such as online banking username and password, debit or credit card information, and other personal data,” BDO explained.
For clients who are unable to download the mobile apps, the bank encouraged them to transact via the web version instead.
BDO’s mobile apps include BDO Digital Banking, BDO Pay, BDO Deals, BDO Securities Mobile App, BDO Checkout, BDO Merchant and BDO Unibank SG.
In the first half, BDO saw its net earnings improve to P21.42 billion from previous year’s P4.29 billion, thanks to sustainable revenue channels and normalized provisions for bad loans. Total provisions were down to P6.8 billion in the first half, the bank noted. The gross non-performing loan ratio stood at 3.1 percent, which is below its worse-case expectations of 4-5 percent.
The bank’s capitalization is at P412.7 billion, with capital adequacy ratio at 15 percent and common equity tier 1 ratio at 13.9 percent.