EastWest Bank vs First Metro Investment: Home Loan Overview
When comparing EastWest Bank and First Metro Investment (FMIC) for home loans, it's important to understand what each institution actually offers. EastWest Bank is a full-service commercial bank with a dedicated, publicly available housing loan product covering refinancing, purchase, home equity, and renovation. First Metro Investment Corporation is the investment banking arm of the Metrobank Group and focuses primarily on capital markets, treasury, and corporate finance — its home loan offerings are not broadly marketed to retail borrowers in the same way.
This means that for most Filipino homeowners and homebuyers, EastWest Bank is the practical, accessible choice when comparing these two institutions head-to-head.
Interest Rate Comparison
| Fixed Period | EastWest Bank | First Metro Investment |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Fixed | 5.99% p.a. | Not publicly available |
| 3-Year Fixed | 6.25% p.a. | Not publicly available |
| 5-Year Fixed | 6.49% p.a. | Not publicly available |
| 7-Year Fixed | 7.00% p.a. | Not publicly available |
| Home Equity | 6.25% p.a. | Not publicly available |
EastWest Bank's rates are verified and available through Nook. Most Philippine homeowners are currently paying between 7% and 10% p.a. on their existing home loans — refinancing to EastWest Bank's 5.99% p.a. 1-year fixed rate could generate significant monthly savings.
Note: Interest rates are subject to change. Borrowers should verify current rates directly with the bank or through Nook before making any financial decisions.
Monthly Savings Illustration
To understand the real-world impact of refinancing to EastWest Bank, consider a borrower with a ₱3,000,000 outstanding home loan balance and 20 years remaining on their term:
| Scenario | Rate | Est. Monthly Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Current loan (typical bank) | 8.50% p.a. | 26,035 |
| Refinanced via EastWest Bank | 5.99% p.a. | 21,490 |
| Monthly Savings | — | ~4,545 |
That's an estimated 54,540 in savings per year — simply by refinancing through Nook at no cost to you.
Loan Features and Eligibility
| Feature | EastWest Bank | First Metro Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Monthly Income | 40,000 | Not publicly available |
| Typical Approval Time | ~19 days | Not available for retail |
| Maximum DTI Ratio | 40% | Not applicable |
| Employment Types Accepted | Private, Government, BPO, OFW/Seafarer, Self-Employed, Professional | Not applicable |
| Loan Purposes | Refinancing, Purchase (RFO, Pre-Selling, Foreclosed), New Construction, Renovation, Home Equity | Not available for retail |
EastWest Bank's broad eligibility criteria — accepting OFWs, BPO workers, self-employed professionals, and government employees — makes it one of the most accessible home loan providers in the Philippines. If you're comparing other digital-era challengers for context, you may also find our AUB vs CIMB home loan comparison useful.
About First Metro Investment Corporation
First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) is a leading investment house in the Philippines and a subsidiary of the Metrobank Group. It is primarily known for underwriting government and corporate bonds, managing investment funds, and providing treasury and capital markets services. FMIC does not operate a widely accessible retail home loan product in the way that commercial banks like EastWest Bank do.
If you are an FMIC client looking for home financing, your best path is typically through Metrobank — the parent bank — or through a broker like Nook that can compare multiple lenders simultaneously. For a broader view of how smaller and newer lenders compare, see our CIMB vs DBP home loan comparison.
Why Apply Through Nook?
Nook is the Philippines' first digital mortgage broker, and our service is 100% free to borrowers. When you apply through Nook for an EastWest Bank home loan or refinancing, you get:
- Access to EastWest Bank's lowest available rates starting at 5.99% p.a.
- A dedicated loan advisor who manages your application end-to-end
- Fast 19-day typical approval timeline
- No broker fees — Nook is compensated by the bank, not by you
- Side-by-side comparison across multiple Nook partner banks
Whether you're refinancing an existing home loan, purchasing a ready-for-occupancy unit, or tapping your home equity, Nook makes the process simple, transparent, and cost-free.
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Compare My Options →Frequently Asked Questions
Does First Metro Investment offer home loans?
First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) is primarily an investment house focused on capital markets, bond underwriting, and corporate finance. It does not offer a widely accessible retail home loan product. Borrowers who are part of the Metrobank ecosystem may be referred to Metrobank for home financing needs. For a broad comparison of retail lenders, Nook can help you identify the best available option.
What is EastWest Bank's lowest home loan rate?
EastWest Bank's lowest available home loan rate through Nook is 5.99% p.a. on a 1-year fixed period. This is one of the most competitive rates currently available in the Philippine market. Rates are subject to change, so confirm the latest rate with Nook before applying.
How long does EastWest Bank take to approve a home loan?
EastWest Bank's typical loan approval timeline is approximately 19 days from complete document submission. Applying through Nook can help streamline the process, as Nook's advisors ensure your documents are complete and correctly submitted from the start.
Who qualifies for an EastWest Bank home loan?
EastWest Bank accepts a wide range of borrower profiles, including employees in the private sector, government workers, BPO employees, OFWs and seafarers, self-employed individuals, and licensed professionals. The minimum monthly income requirement is 40,000. Borrowers must also have a debt-to-income ratio (DTI) of no more than 40%.
Can I refinance my existing home loan with EastWest Bank?
Yes. Refinancing is one of the core loan purposes supported by EastWest Bank. If your current home loan is with another bank and you are paying 7% or higher, refinancing to EastWest Bank's 5.99% p.a. rate through Nook could result in substantial monthly savings. Nook's refinancing service is completely free for borrowers.
Is Nook's mortgage broker service really free?
Yes, Nook's service is 100% free to borrowers. Nook is compensated directly by partner banks like EastWest Bank upon successful loan disbursement. You pay nothing extra for using Nook — and you get access to competitive partner bank rates, a dedicated advisor, and end-to-end application support.
How does EastWest Bank compare to other Philippine banks for home loans?
EastWest Bank's 5.99% p.a. 1-year fixed rate is among the lowest in the Philippine market today. Most homeowners are currently paying between 7% and 10% at their existing banks, making EastWest Bank a highly attractive refinancing destination. Nook compares multiple partner banks to ensure you get the best available rate for your profile.