First Metro Investment vs PSBank: Home Loan Overview
First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) is the investment banking arm of Metrobank Group, primarily known for capital markets, treasury, and corporate finance services. While FMIC offers select financing products, it is not a traditional retail home loan lender in the same way that PSBank or the major universal banks are. Prospective borrowers looking for a standard residential home loan from the Metrobank group are typically directed to Metrobank itself rather than FMIC directly.
PSBank (Philippine Savings Bank), the thrift banking arm of Metrobank Group, does offer retail home loan products and is a recognized player in the Philippine mortgage market. PSBank home loans are marketed to individual borrowers purchasing or refinancing residential properties.
Important note: Interest rates shown in this comparison are approximate figures based on publicly available information as of the time of writing. Rates are subject to change at any time. Always verify current rates directly with the relevant institution before making any financial decision.
Interest Rate Comparison
| Feature | First Metro Investment | PSBank | Nook (Best Available) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indicative Rate (1-year fix) | Not a standard retail home loan lender — contact Metrobank for residential loans | Approx. 7.00%–8.50% p.a.* | From 5.99% p.a. |
| Indicative Rate (3-year fix) | N/A (retail) | Approx. 7.50%–9.00% p.a.* | Competitive fixed terms available |
| Indicative Rate (5-year fix) | N/A (retail) | Approx. 8.00%–9.50% p.a.* | Competitive fixed terms available |
| Rate Transparency | Limited (not a retail mortgage lender) | Rates vary; inquire directly | Verified, real-time quotes |
*PSBank rates are approximate and based on publicly available information. They are subject to change without notice. Contact PSBank directly or visit their website for current rates.
Monthly Payment Illustration
To illustrate the real-world impact of rate differences, here is a sample monthly payment comparison for a 3,000,000 peso home loan over 20 years:
| Annual Rate | Lender Context | Est. Monthly Payment | Total Interest Paid (20 yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.99% p.a. | Nook best available rate | Approx. 21,490 | Approx. 2,157,600 |
| 7.50% p.a. | Mid-range PSBank estimate | Approx. 24,170 | Approx. 2,800,800 |
| 9.00% p.a. | Higher-end PSBank estimate | Approx. 26,990 | Approx. 3,477,600 |
At a 7.50% rate versus Nook's 5.99%, a borrower on a 3,000,000 peso loan could pay approximately 643,200 pesos more in interest over 20 years. The difference versus a 9.00% rate is even more dramatic — over 1,320,000 pesos in additional interest paid over the loan term.
These figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not include fees, insurance, or other charges. Use Nook's free calculator to get a personalized estimate.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
| Requirement | PSBank (Approximate) | Nook Partner Banks |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Loan Amount | Approx. 500,000 | Typically 1,000,000+ |
| Maximum Loan Amount | Up to 80% of appraised value | Up to 80%–90% LTV |
| Loan Tenure | Up to 20 years | Up to 25 years |
| Minimum Age | 21 years old | 21 years old (varies by bank) |
| Employment Status | Employed or self-employed | Employed, self-employed, OFW |
| Documentary Requirements | Standard (ITR, payslips, title, etc.) | Standard — Nook guides you through |
Because First Metro Investment is not a standard retail home loan lender, there are no standard published eligibility criteria for individual residential mortgages. If you are interested in borrowing from the Metrobank group, you should approach Metrobank or PSBank directly.
Fees and Charges
Home loan fees can add significantly to your total borrowing cost. Here is what to expect with PSBank and how Nook compares:
| Fee Type | PSBank (Approximate) | Nook Service Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Broker / Facilitation Fee | N/A (direct lender) | Free — Nook charges borrowers nothing |
| Processing Fee | Varies; may apply | Depends on lender; Nook discloses all fees upfront |
| Appraisal Fee | Typically required | Required by lender; disclosed before you commit |
| Documentary Stamp Tax | Standard (set by law) | Standard (set by law) |
| Mortgage Registration | Standard (Registry of Deeds) | Standard (Registry of Deeds) |
| Prepayment Penalty | May apply within lock-in period | Varies by lender; Nook advises on this |
Nook's service is 100% free to borrowers. Nook earns a referral fee from partner banks — meaning you get expert guidance and rate shopping at no cost to you.
Refinancing: Is It Worth Switching?
If you currently have a PSBank home loan at a rate of 8% or higher, refinancing through Nook could result in significant monthly savings. Even if your current lender charges a prepayment penalty, the long-term savings from a lower rate often outweigh the exit cost — especially if you are more than a year into your lock-in period.
For example, if you are paying 8.50% on a 4,000,000 peso outstanding balance over a remaining 18-year term, switching to 5.99% p.a. could reduce your monthly payment by approximately 5,500 pesos per month — that is over 66,000 pesos per year back in your pocket.
Nook's refinance specialists will calculate your actual break-even point and tell you honestly whether switching makes financial sense for your situation. If you are also considering how PSBank stacks up against other lenders, see our comparison of PSBank vs SB Finance home loan rates for more context.
Process and Turnaround Time
| Step | Applying Directly to PSBank | Applying Through Nook |
|---|---|---|
| Rate Shopping | One bank, one rate | Multiple lenders, multiple quotes |
| Application Submission | Branch or online (PSBank portal) | Single digital application |
| Processing Time | Typically 2–4 weeks | Typically 2–4 weeks (Nook tracks progress) |
| Expert Guidance | Bank's own loan officers | Independent Nook specialists (on your side) |
| Cost to Borrower | None for direct application | Free — always |
How First Metro Investment Fits Into the Picture
It is worth clarifying for prospective borrowers: First Metro Investment Corporation is the investment bank of the Metrobank Group and focuses on corporate advisory, underwriting, and treasury products. It does not operate as a retail mortgage lender. If you encounter mentions of FMIC in the context of home loans, these are likely referring to structured products or developer partnerships — not standard individual home loans.
For retail borrowers, the relevant Metrobank Group entities for home loans are Metrobank and PSBank. If you are comparing PSBank against other thrift and mid-sized lenders, you may also find our comparison of Philippine Business Bank vs PSBank home loan rates useful reading.
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Compare My Options →Frequently Asked Questions
Does First Metro Investment offer home loans to individual borrowers?
First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) is the investment banking arm of the Metrobank Group and is not a standard retail home loan lender for individual residential borrowers. If you are looking for a home loan from within the Metrobank Group, you should approach Metrobank or PSBank (Philippine Savings Bank) directly, as these entities offer retail mortgage products.
What are PSBank's current home loan interest rates?
PSBank's home loan rates vary depending on the fixed-rate period and your loan profile. Based on publicly available information, rates typically range from approximately 7.00% to 9.50% p.a., depending on the fixing period chosen. These rates are approximate and subject to change — always verify directly with PSBank before applying. Through Nook, the best available rate from partner banks starts at 5.99% p.a.
Can I refinance my PSBank home loan through Nook?
Yes. If you currently have a PSBank home loan and your rate is 7% or higher, refinancing through Nook could save you significant money over the remaining term of your loan. Nook's service is 100% free to borrowers. A Nook specialist will assess your current loan, calculate potential savings, and connect you with the best available rate from Nook's partner banks — all at no cost to you.
How much could I save by refinancing from PSBank to a Nook partner bank?
The savings depend on your outstanding loan balance, remaining term, and current interest rate. As an example, on a 3,000,000 peso loan with 20 years remaining, refinancing from 7.50% to 5.99% p.a. could save you approximately 643,200 pesos in total interest over the life of the loan — or roughly 2,680 pesos per month. Use Nook's free refinance calculator for a personalized estimate based on your actual loan details.
Is Nook's mortgage broker service really free?
Yes, Nook's service is completely free to borrowers. Nook earns a referral fee from its partner banks when a loan is successfully arranged — this means you receive independent rate shopping, expert guidance, and loan facilitation at no charge to you. There are no hidden fees, and Nook will disclose all lender fees upfront before you commit to anything.
What documents do I need to refinance my home loan through Nook?
Standard documents typically required for a home loan refinance in the Philippines include: a valid government-issued ID, Certificate of Employment and latest payslips (for employed borrowers) or ITR and financial statements (for self-employed borrowers), a copy of your Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT), your current loan statement of account, and a recent property tax receipt. Nook will guide you through the exact requirements based on your profile and chosen lender.
How does PSBank compare to other thrift banks for home loans?
PSBank is one of the larger thrift banks in the Philippines and benefits from the backing of the Metrobank Group. Its home loan rates and terms are broadly competitive among thrift banks, though rates are typically higher than what Nook's partner banks can offer. For further comparisons, you can also read about how PSBank stacks up in our comparison of PBCOM vs PSBank home loan rates or Bank of Commerce vs PSBank home loan rates.
What loan amounts and terms does PSBank offer for home loans?
Based on publicly available information, PSBank home loans typically start from around 500,000 pesos, with loan-to-value ratios of up to 80% of the appraised property value. Repayment terms of up to 20 years are available. These details are approximate and subject to change — verify current terms directly with PSBank. Nook partner banks offer loan amounts typically from 1,000,000 pesos with terms of up to 25 years.