Depositors of the closed Rural Bank of the 21st Century (Bulacan), Inc. have only until January 21, 2008 to file their deposit insurance claims.

In an advisory, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) announced that January 21, 2008 is the prescriptive date or last day for depositors of RB of the 21st Century to file claims for payment of deposit insurance. Under Section 16(e) of RA 3591, as amended, the depositors are given two (2) years from PDIC takeover of the closed bank to file their claims for deposit insurance with PDIC. After this date, PDIC will no longer accept any claim for deposit insurance from depositors of the closed Rural Bank of the 21st Century.

Rural Bank of the 21st Century, Inc. was ordered closed by the Monetary Board on January 19, 2006. The bank was taken over by PDIC on January 19, 2006. The bank's estimated insured deposits amounted to P139.42 million. As of December 31, 2007, PDIC had paid P137.662 million or 98.74% in insurance claims, representing 2,233 accounts.

Depositors of Balagtas (Head Office), Meycauayan, Bocaue and Bulacan branches are advised to proceed directly to the Municipal Hall of Bocaue, Bulacan where PDIC representatives will service claims from January 15 to 21, 2008, during office hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Depositors should present to PDIC representatives their original evidence of deposits such as savings passbook, certificates of time deposit, or bank statements and unused checks; and two (2) valid identification cards (IDs) with the depositor's signature when filing their claims. Additional documents may be required during claims processing.