Metrobank Card Implements FICO Solution to Combat Fraud Threat in the Philippines

SINGAPORE, March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- FICO (NYSE: FICO), the leading provider of analytics and decision management technology, today announced that Metrobank Card has implemented FICO® Falcon® Fraud Manager to protect its growing base of credit cardholders and mitigate losses from fraud. Metrobank Card has adopted FICO Falcon Fraud Manager to ensure the maximum protection at a time when the Philippines is experiencing rapid growth in its consumer credit business, which is accompanied by an increased risk of fraud.

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A joint venture between the Philippines' Metrobank and ANZ Bank of Australia and New Zealand, Metrobank Card (MCC) has seen its cardholder base triple since the alliance was formed in 2003. Overall card issuance in the Philippines is projected to double in the next five years. Fraud perpetrators are known to target developing markets, where increased card usage creates exposure and solutions often lag the sophistication of fraud schemes.

"Our goal is to be the leading payment solutions provider in the Philippines, and to do that, we need the most advanced systems to fight fraud and protect our customers," said MCC President Riko Abdurrahman. "We have great confidence in the Falcon solution, and we were especially impressed with the training and support from the FICO team, which kept our implementation on schedule."

FICO fraud systems protect more than two billion card accounts worldwide, including more than 50 million card accounts in Asia-Pacific. FICO® Falcon® Fraud Manager has saved Asia-Pacific card issuers more than US$1.5 billion in fraud losses.

"We estimate that the Philippines could see a 5% increase in fraud losses per year as criminals migrate to this fast-growing market," said Burton Crapps, FICO country manager for the Philippines. "Metrobank Card has taken a proactive, preemptive step to protect its customers and itself with the implementation of FICO's sophisticated, analytics-driven fraud management solution. Where legacy systems may be overwhelmed and detect incidents of fraud only after the fact, FICO Falcon Fraud Manager has the predictive power as well as the scale to detect fraud among a rapidly escalating volume of transactions."

About Metrobank Card

Metrobank Card Corporation (MCC), a joint venture of Metrobank and Australia and New Zealand Bank (ANZ), aims to be the leading payment solutions provider in the Philippines. It is dedicated to its customers, committed to its people and their development, steadfast in fulfilling its responsibility to the community, and consistent in delivering maximized shareholders' value. Launched in 2003, MCC has since then tripled its cardholder base and has launched a string of new products that offer distinct advantages to its customers, such as special installment plans, unmatched perks and privileges, and invitations to exclusive events.

About FICO

FICO (NYSE: FICO) delivers superior predictive analytics solutions that drive smarter decisions. The company's groundbreaking use of mathematics to predict consumer behavior has transformed entire industries and revolutionized the way risk is managed and products are marketed. FICO's innovative solutions include the FICO® Score — the standard measure of consumer credit risk in the United States — along with industry-leading solutions for managing credit accounts, identifying and minimizing the impact of fraud, and customizing consumer offers with pinpoint accuracy. Most of the world's top banks, as well as leading insurers, retailers, pharmaceutical companies and government agencies, rely on FICO solutions to accelerate growth, control risk, boost profits and meet regulatory and competitive demands. FICO also helps millions of individuals manage their personal credit health through www.myFICO.com. Learn more at www.fico.com. FICO: Make every decision count™.

Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Information

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements contained in this news release that relate to FICO or its business are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the success of the Company's Decision Management strategy and reengineering plan, the maintenance of its existing relationships and ability to create new relationships with customers and key alliance partners, its ability to continue to develop new and enhanced products and services, its ability to recruit and retain key technical and managerial personnel, competition, regulatory changes applicable to the use of consumer credit and other data, the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisitions, continuing material adverse developments in global economic conditions, and other risks described from time to time in FICO's SEC reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2011, and its last quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2011. If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes, FICO's results could differ materially from its expectations. FICO disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE FICO