BDO vs First Metro Investment: Understanding the Difference
Before comparing rates side by side, it's important to understand what each institution actually offers. BDO Unibank is one of the Philippines' largest universal banks and offers a full suite of retail home loan products — including purchase loans, refinancing, home equity, renovation, and construction loans. First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC), on the other hand, is the investment banking arm of Metrobank Group. It primarily serves corporate and institutional clients and does not maintain a publicly accessible retail home loan product in the traditional sense.
This means that for most Filipino homeowners — whether buying a new property, refinancing an existing loan, or tapping home equity — BDO is a directly accessible option, while FMIC is not a practical alternative to compare on equal footing.
BDO Home Loan Rates and Key Details
| Feature | BDO (via Nook) |
|---|---|
| 1-Year Fixed Rate | 6.00% p.a. |
| Home Equity Rate | 6.00% p.a. |
| Minimum Monthly Income | 50,000 |
| Typical Approval Time | ~30 days |
| Maximum Debt-to-Income Ratio | 40% |
| Eligible Employment Types | Private, Government, BPO, OFW/Seafarer, Self-Employed, Professional |
| Loan Purposes Covered | Refinancing, Home Equity, RFO, Pre-Selling, New Construction, Renovation, Reselling, Foreclosed |
| Broker Fee via Nook | Free |
BDO's 6.00% fixed rate is significantly lower than what most Filipino homeowners are currently paying. If you're on a loan at 8% or 9%, refinancing to BDO through Nook could save you tens of thousands of pesos per year in interest payments.
Monthly Savings Illustration: Refinancing to BDO at 6.00%
To put the numbers in perspective, here's what a homeowner with an outstanding loan balance of 3,000,000 could save by refinancing from a typical bank rate to BDO's 6.00% p.a. (20-year term):
| Scenario | Interest Rate | Est. Monthly Payment | Monthly Savings vs 8.50% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Typical Rate | 8.50% p.a. | ~26,035 | — |
| BDO via Nook | 6.00% p.a. | ~21,491 | ~4,544 |
Over a full year, that's more than 54,500 in savings — and over five years, more than 272,000. These are indicative figures based on a reducing balance calculation and are for illustration purposes only. Actual savings will depend on your outstanding balance, remaining term, and applicable fees.
What Is First Metro Investment Corporation?
First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) is a licensed investment house and the investment banking arm of the Metrobank Group. It provides services such as debt capital markets, equity underwriting, fund management, and financial advisory — primarily to corporations, government entities, and institutional investors. FMIC does not advertise a standard retail home loan product for individual borrowers on its website.
Some borrowers may confuse FMIC with Metrobank's retail home loan division, which does offer individual home loans. If you are looking to compare Metrobank's retail home loan rates against BDO, that is a more apples-to-apples comparison. For borrowers specifically researching First Metro Investment as a home loan lender, it is unlikely to be a viable option for personal property purchases or refinancing.
If you're also evaluating other major banks, you may find our guide on BDO vs BPI home loan rates helpful for understanding how BDO stacks up against another top Philippine lender.
Why Apply Through Nook Instead of Going Direct?
Nook is the Philippines' first digital mortgage broker, and the service is completely free for borrowers. When you apply through Nook, you get:
- Access to multiple partner bank rates in one place — no need to visit multiple bank branches
- Expert guidance throughout the application and document submission process
- No broker fees — Nook is compensated by the bank, not by you
- Faster processing — Nook's team follows up on your behalf to keep your application moving
- Unbiased advice — Nook recommends the bank that best fits your profile, not the one with the highest commission
Whether you're refinancing an existing home loan or applying for a new one, starting with Nook at nook.com.ph takes less than five minutes and costs you nothing.
Who Should Consider BDO for a Home Loan?
BDO is a strong fit for a wide range of borrowers. Here are the typical profiles that align well with BDO's requirements:
- Employed professionals earning at least 50,000/month (gross) in the private sector, BPO, or government
- OFWs and seafarers looking to invest in property back home or refinance an existing loan
- Self-employed individuals and business owners with documented income and at least 2 years of operation
- Homeowners currently paying above 7% who want to reduce their monthly amortization through refinancing
- Buyers of RFO, pre-selling, or resale properties who need a reliable lender with broad product coverage
For a more detailed comparison of how BDO performs against other top banks, see our breakdown of BPI vs BDO home loan rates in the Philippines.
Important Notes on Rates and Eligibility
Interest rates are subject to change without prior notice. The 6.00% p.a. rate displayed for BDO reflects current rates available through Nook as of the time of publication. Borrowers are strongly encouraged to verify the latest applicable rates directly with the bank or through Nook before making any financial decisions. Final rates offered may vary based on loan amount, term, property type, and borrower profile.
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Compare My Options →Frequently Asked Questions
Does First Metro Investment Corporation offer home loans to individual borrowers?
First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) is an investment bank primarily serving corporate and institutional clients. It does not offer standard retail home loan products for individual borrowers. If you're looking for a home loan, you'll want to approach a universal or commercial bank such as BDO, which offers retail home loans for purchase, refinancing, renovation, and more.
What is BDO's current home loan interest rate?
Through Nook, BDO currently offers a 1-year fixed rate of 6.00% p.a. for both standard home loans and home equity loans. This rate is among the most competitive available in the Philippine market today, and is significantly lower than the 7%–10% many homeowners are currently paying. Note that rates are subject to change — verify the latest rate at nook.com.ph.
How much can I save by refinancing to BDO at 6.00%?
Savings depend on your current rate, outstanding balance, and remaining term. As an illustration, on a 3,000,000 loan over 20 years, refinancing from 8.50% to BDO's 6.00% p.a. could reduce your monthly payment by approximately 4,544 — saving over 54,500 per year. Use Nook's free mortgage calculator at nook.com.ph to get an estimate based on your specific loan details.
Is Nook's mortgage brokerage service really free?
Yes, Nook's service is 100% free for borrowers. Nook earns a referral fee from the bank when your loan is successfully processed — you pay nothing extra, and the rate you receive is the same as applying directly to the bank. There are no hidden fees or markups added to your loan.
What are BDO's minimum requirements for a home loan?
BDO requires a minimum monthly income of 50,000 (gross). Eligible borrowers include employees in the private sector, government, BPO, OFWs, seafarers, self-employed individuals, and licensed professionals. Your debt-to-income ratio must not exceed 40%, meaning your total monthly loan obligations (including the new home loan) should not exceed 40% of your gross monthly income.
How long does BDO take to approve a home loan?
BDO's typical approval timeline is approximately 30 days from the submission of complete documents. Applying through Nook can help streamline this process, as Nook's team assists with document preparation and follows up with the bank on your behalf to avoid unnecessary delays.
Can I refinance my existing home loan to BDO through Nook?
Yes. Refinancing is one of the primary loan purposes BDO supports through Nook. If you're currently paying a higher rate with another bank, you can refinance to BDO at 6.00% p.a. The process is handled entirely through Nook at no cost to you. To get started, visit nook.com.ph and fill out a short application form.