Metrobank is getting into the holiday spirit extra early this year!
The bank has launched the #EarlyGIFT Challenge and the Happy Holideals promo, designed to help Filipinos get a head start on their biggest financial goals before the usual Christmas rush.
With the “ber” months just around the corner, Metrobank is betting on strong demand for car and home loans, and they’ve created some attractive offers to capitalize on it.
A growing appetite for big purchases
Metrobank’s decision to launch these initiatives comes amid a positive outlook for its consumer lending business.
According to Peaches Cuenco, Head of Metrobank’s Consumer Lending Group, the bank’s consumer loan portfolio has been showing steady growth, a trend they expect to continue. “As of the first half, our consumer loan books have shown steady year-on-year growth,” Cuenco said. “This is expected to continue for the rest of the year, as we launch offers like the Happy Holideals promo and as more Filipinos look into making major life purchases ahead of the holidays.”
Peaches Cuenco, Head of Metrobank’s Consumer Lending Group
Cuenco highlighted that the bank has realized there’s a big opportunity in the consumer lending space because consumer loans offer bigger margins compared to commercial loans, which have very thin spreads despite their large size. She added, “for every peso that you lend out, you get more in return when it’s consumer loans. And we have realized that there’s really a big opportunity in that space.” This focus on consumer lending also supports the bank’s thrust for financial inclusion.
This confidence is backed by the numbers. In the first half of the year, Metrobank’s consumer loans portfolio grew by a healthy 15.3% year-on-year, making up 22% of the bank’s total loan book as of the end of June. Auto and home loans were the primary drivers, climbing by 17.8% and 8% year-on-year, respectively.
Cuenco further emphasized the importance of these segments, stating, “Our consumer business remains to be a top growth priority of the bank, and car and home loans play a critical role.” The Metrobank Group, which includes its thrift bank subsidiary PSBank, has the largest share of car loans in the industry and is among the top five lenders for housing loans.
She also assured that the bank does not expect a material deterioration in asset quality, even with the increase in consumer lending. “We have the best NPLs in the market because we have been very prudent in terms of lending,” she said. Cuenco added that while expansion can lead to riskier segments, the bank is being “very careful” and “deliberate” to balance growth and risk. The NPL for car and home loans is exceptionally low, at around 1-1.2%, which is significantly better than some other banks that reach as high as 6%.
The #EarlyGIFT challenge: Beating the financial hangover
Metrobank’s Chief Marketing Officer Digs Dimagiba discussing the bank’s G.I.F.T. initiative
The holiday season is a time of giving and celebration, but it often comes with a financial hangover in the new year. To combat this, Metrobank has revived its G.I.F.T. initiative.
Last year, the bank successfully introduced G.I.F.T., a new pre-holiday tradition that encourages Filipinos to plan ahead using four practical financial principles: Get Guided by goals, Invest your bonus wisely, Follow a budget plan, and Take advantage of deals.
This year, they’re taking it a step further with the #EarlyGIFT Challenge. This social media campaign invites everyone to set at least one clear financial goal in August and share it online, tagging friends and family to join in.
The idea is to create a sense of accountability and to give people a head start on their resolutions, increasing the likelihood they’ll stick to them. International studies show that eight out of ten people fail to achieve their New Year’s resolutions, and Metrobank hopes to turn that statistic around by encouraging early planning.
To add to the festive mood and reinforce the message of acting early, the launch event featured a special appearance by the iconic Jose Mari Chan, who serenaded the audience with holiday carols. The “King of Christmas Carols” helped spread the message of joyful and purposeful spending long before the traditional holiday season begins.
Happy Holideals: Making big dreams a reality
Metrobank’s Chief Marketing Officer Digs Dimagiba (left) and Peaches Cuenca (right), Head of the Consumer Lending Group, join “King of Christmas Carols” Jose Mari Chan (center) to kick off the bank’s “Happy Holideals” promo.
But it’s not just about planning; Metrobank is also offering tangible incentives. The 2025 Happy Holideals promo, running from August 1 to October 15, 2025, is designed to help Filipinos make their dreams of car or home ownership a reality. Qualified borrowers who submit their complete requirements and book their loan by October 31, 2025, can enjoy competitive loan rates and waived fees of up to PHP100,000.
For those dreaming of a new car, the deals are particularly attractive. Approved applicants can lock in low interest rates, with rates as low as 8.70% p.a. for a 36-month term. On top of that, Metrobank will waive up to PHP100,000 in fees, which include the Security Interest, Documentary Stamp Tax, and Notarial Fee.
As an extra bonus, customers will also receive a free first-year car insurance package from AXA Philippines. Homebuyers can also benefit from the promo. Approved home loan borrowers can lock in low interest rates for an extended period, with rates starting at 6.50% p.a. for a 3-year fixed term. Similar to the car loan offer, Metrobank will waive up to PHP100,000 in fees for home loans, covering Mortgage Registration, Documentary Stamp Tax, and Notarial fees.
By launching these initiatives, Metrobank isn’t just offering a loan; they’re offering a chance to turn dreams into reality and get a head start on the holiday season, making it more meaningful and financially responsible.
To learn more about the Happy Holideals promo or how to join the #EarlyGIFT Challenge, visit their website at www.metrobank.com.ph. You can also follow the bank’s official social media pages on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Tiktok.
