Did you know you lose your money in a Philippine bank if you don't check on it for 10 years

[Dave Hounddriver]

I do not remember if I had any money in this account and I have no way to check.  I doubt I left much, if any, in there but they sent me this email so there must be something in it.  Oh well.  It will be gone now.

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

Please be advised that your Account with us has turned dormant or inactive on
2026-04-04.  As stated on Republic Act No. 3936, amended by Presidential Decree No. 679, all credits or deposits of money, bullion, security or other evidence of indebtedness of any kind and interest thereon with banks, building and loan associations and trust corporations, in favour of any person known to be dead or has not made further deposits or withdrawals during the preceding 10 years or more, shall be transferred in favour of the Republic of the Philippines.

 

As part of our continuing service to all our clients, may we invite you to come and visit us in the branch and reactivate your account within two (2) months from the date of this letter.

 

Thank you and we look forward to your visit at the branch.

 

Very yours truly,

MAYBANK PHILIPPINES INC.

[fillipino_wannabe]

same in the UK. I have a few accounts that I've not used for 8-9 years that I can't remember anything about. Have to go and sort it next year or byebye money lol.

[OnMyWay]

23 minutes ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

I do not remember if I had any money in this account and I have no way to check.  I doubt I left much, if any, in there but they sent me this email so there must be something in it.  Oh well.  It will be gone now.

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

Please be advised that your Account with us has turned dormant or inactive on
2026-04-04.  As stated on Republic Act No. 3936, amended by Presidential Decree No. 679, all credits or deposits of money, bullion, security or other evidence of indebtedness of any kind and interest thereon with banks, building and loan associations and trust corporations, in favour of any person known to be dead or has not made further deposits or withdrawals during the preceding 10 years or more, shall be transferred in favour of the Republic of the Philippines.

 

As part of our continuing service to all our clients, may we invite you to come and visit us in the branch and reactivate your account within two (2) months from the date of this letter.

 

Thank you and we look forward to your visit at the branch.

 

Very yours truly,

MAYBANK PHILIPPINES INC.

What bank?

Whoops!  I see Maybank

Edited January 9 by OnMyWay

[Jack Peterson]

 10 years, Wow in spain you get 9 months  if fact, a member here was outed by Barclays after  1 year 

 

[JJReyes]

I believe in California the bank gives dormant money to some California treasury agency who is supposed to make a valiant effort to locate the owner.  You can check a website if your name is on their list.  Unfortunately, my name is the Spanish equivalent of John Smith.  Lots of dormant accounts but none are mine.  

[Mike J]

9 hours ago, JJReyes said:

I believe in California the bank gives dormant money to some California treasury agency who is supposed to make a valiant effort to locate the owner.  You can check a website if your name is on their list.  Unfortunately, my name is the Spanish equivalent of John Smith.  Lots of dormant accounts but none are mine.  

Similar law in Washington.  I recently (about 6 months) received a check from Washington for a dormant E*TRADE account.  Thought I had liquidated the account when I moved here.  Ended up with a check for a bit over $100.   After being scolded by wife for "losing/forgetting $100, I kind of wish Washington had kept the money. 

[Freebie]

I received a message from BPI informing me that my checking account was now dormant and funds would be lost. I queried this with my "relationship lady" as I have BPI Preferred... she checked and said they had formed a new department to chase after dormant accounts. And that as my account had been closed by me 4 years ago there was nothing I should do. Turns out i had p1 in interest at time of closing.

 

HSBC In Shanghai sent numerous emails after I left there advising I had 10 yuan in the account and could I visit Shanghai to close the account. Wrote to advise that wasnt logical as I was in another country ,. Emails stopped so I guess they closed it for me. 

[hk blues]

3 hours ago, Freebie said:

I received a message from BPI informing me that my checking account was now dormant and funds would be lost. I queried this with my "relationship lady" as I have BPI Preferred... she checked and said they had formed a new department to chase after dormant accounts. And that as my account had been closed by me 4 years ago there was nothing I should do. Turns out i had p1 in interest at time of closing.

 

HSBC In Shanghai sent numerous emails after I left there advising I had 10 yuan in the account and could I visit Shanghai to close the account. Wrote to advise that wasnt logical as I was in another country ,. Emails stopped so I guess they closed it for me. 

I had one with HSBC Hong Kong - there was a very small balance and they sent me an email advising they would happily donate the money a local charity in order to clear it off the books.  I said go ahead.  

[Zeff]

On 1/9/2026 at 2:40 PM, fillipino_wannabe said:

same in the UK. I have a few accounts that I've not used for 8-9 years that I can't remember anything about. Have to go and sort it next year or byebye money lol.

We left money in the UK in places we had frankly forgotten about for at least 15 years. 2 years ago we went back and found it all largely by accident after going through some old letters we found stored. The money plus interest was all there and we put it all in a 3 year ISA.