MANILA, Philippines — BancNet, the country’s largest electronic banking consortium, recently welcomed three Luzon-based rural banks as subscriber-members in line with its thrust to extend the convenience of electronic banking to the countryside.

These banks are First Isabela Cooperative Bank (FICO Bank), Rural Bank of Central Pangasinan (RBCP Bank), and Rural Bank of Lubao (RBL). Their switch system will be provided by BancNet affiliate network E-CTK Solutions Inc.

FICO Bank is based in Cauayan City, Isabela and is majority-owned by six large cooperatives. It currently has 22 branches in Northern and Central Luzon and plans to deploy 27 ATMs to serve the cooperatives’ members as well as other ATM cardholders, including travelers.

RBCP Bank is based in Calasiao, Pangasinan and has 8 branches. It plans to deploy 10 ATMs. On the other hand, the Pampanga-based Rural Bank of Lubao has 2 branches and 2 ATMs running.

Of BancNet’s roster of 89 member financial institutions, 22 are rural banks.

With their BancNet connection, the rural banks are empowered to provide a wide range of electronic banking services through the ATM, including cash withdrawals, balance inquiry, fund transfer/remittance, payment of bills, and prepaid-phone reloading.