Metrobank OFW Savings account: Guide on requirements and how to open
Working abroad or getting paid in foreign currency? Learn about the Metrobank OFW Savings account requirements and options to receive and remit money.
Metrobank¹ offers checking and savings account options, in PHP, USD and select foreign currencies. If you want to start using Metrobank you’ll need to learn about the account rules and requirements, to help you choose an appropriate product for your needs.
This guide has you covered with a look at the minimum deposit and balance amounts, as well as the account opening process with Metrobank. We'll also introduce the Wise account, a handy companion to make your money go further with low, transparent fees.
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We’ll dive into how to open an account in Metrobank in a moment - but first, it’s worth taking some time to check the eligibility rules and requirements for different account types.
Metrobank open account requirements include²:
When you visit a branch to open your new Metrobank account, you’ll need to take along a photo ID document which can include your Philippine Identification Card (PhilID), your passport or drivers license³. If you’re a foreigner in the Philippines you may also take along your Alien Certificate of Registration or Immigrant Certificate of Registration. There’s a pretty long list of documents which Metrobank can accept, which is available online.
When you choose Metrobank to open an account, initial deposit rules also apply, which vary depending on the account type. We’ll explore the common deposit amounts for different checking, savings and USD accounts next so you can decide if one fits your needs.
Metrobank savings account options include passbook and debit card account products, which usually have a minimum opening deposit amount you must pay in to activate your account. There’s then also a minimum balance amount you must maintain to avoid fall below fees, and a minimum holding amount if you want to earn interest on your savings.
Where a fall below fee applies on your savings account you’ll pay 300 PHP monthly for personal accounts.
Here’s a summary of the different PHP savings accounts on offer from Metrobank, which you may want to consider⁴:
| Account | Minimum opening deposit | Minimum amount to avoid fall below fee | Minimum to earn interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Savings (passbook) | 10,000 PHP | 10,000 PHP | 10,000 PHP |
| Regular Savings (debit card) | 2,000 PHP | 2,000 PHP | 2,000 PHP |
| OFW (passbook) | Not applicable | Not applicable | 10,000 PHP |
| OFW (debit card) | Not applicable | Not applicable | 10,000 PHP |
| Fun Savers Club | 100 PHP | 500 PHP | 4,000 PHP |
| SSS Saver (passbook) | 100 PHP | 100 PHP | 10,000 PHP |
| SSS Saver (debit card) | 100 PHP | 100 PHP | 10,000 PHP |
| Spark Savings | 0 PHP | 500 PHP (waived for 1 year) | 4,000 |
| Earnest Digital Account | 0 PHP | 0 PHP | 10,000 PHP |
*Details correct at time of research - 29th September 2025
Standard Metrobank PHP checking accounts do not pay interest and are intended more for everyday money management. You’ll still need to maintain a minimum balance to avoid the 300 PHP fall below fee.
If you’d prefer to have an account which you can use for daily transactions, which also offers interest payments on your balance, you may select the AccountOne Regular instead, which has higher minimum balance requirements, but which does pay interest if you maintain an adequate balance. If you choose this account, it’s important to maintain the minimum balance amount because the fall below fees are 500 PHP if your balance drops.
Here’s a summary of the personal checking accounts offered by Metrobank⁴:
| Account | Minimum opening deposit | Minimum amount to avoid fall below fee | Minimum to earn interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Checking | 10,000 PHP | 10,000 PHP | Not applicable |
| AccountOne Regular | 25,000 PHP | 25,000 PHP | 50,000 PHP |
*Details correct at time of research - 29th September 2025
The minimum balance requirements to open a dollar account at Metrobank depend on the specific account type you choose. If you do not maintain the balance amount set by the account, you must pay a fall below fee of 5 USD monthly. This fall below fee starts once you fail to maintain the balance for 2 months.
Here’s a summary of the Metrobank USD account options and their minimum balance rules⁴:
| Account | Minimum opening deposit | Minimum amount to avoid fall below fee | Minimum to earn interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| MetroDollar Savings | 500 USD | 500 USD | 500 USD |
| US Pensioner | 100 USD | 100 USD | 500 USD |
| OFW Regular | Not applicable | Not applicable | 500 USD |
| Regular Passbook | 500 USD | 500 USD | 500 USD |
*Details correct at time of research - 29th September 2025
| 👀 Did you know that you can open a Wise account for free? Read our guide and learn more about how to use Wise in the Philippines |
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If you’re wondering - can I open a Metrobank account online - unfortunately you’re out of luck.
Whether you want to know how to open a checking account in Metrobank, or how to open a dollar account in Metrobank the answer is the same - you’ll need to visit a branch to set up your account. This has its pros and cons - on the one hand getting to a branch in person isn’t always convenient, but on the other, you will have the reassurance that a member of the branch team can help you navigate the account opening process successfully.
Unfortunately, Metrobank does not offer online and digital account opening services. If you would prefer an account you can set up without needing to visit the bank in person, you’ll need to select a different bank or provider instead.
You can open a Metrobank account in person at any Metrobank branch. You’ll need to take along your photo ID document, and complete the customer application form. This asks for your personal and contact information, and also takes details of your employment, source of income, family status and transaction needs.
Different ID documents can be used for verification - most commonly you’ll be asked for a passport or your national ID card, but there are also alternatives such as a workplace or school ID if you’d prefer.
A member of the Metrobank team will help you complete the form and request your ID document for verification. You’ll then need to make your initial opening deposit to activate your account, which you can do by paying in cash or making an electronic transfer from another account. US citizens will also need to complete some additional paperwork including a FATCA Certification, Consent, and Waiver form.

The Wise account is an easy way to hold and exchange 40+ currencies, including PHP, USD, CNY, and more. All you need to do is create a free account to get started.
With Wise, you can exchange currencies at the mid-market rate each time, with low, transparent conversion fees from 0.57% and absolutely no markups. Plus, you can order a Wise card for convenient spending at the same great rate, without any foreign transaction fees. At times you need cash, you can also make up to 2 free ATM withdrawals to the value of 12,000 PHP when you're overseas. You'll even get 8+ local account details to get paid conveniently to your Wise account in PHP and a selection of other major global currencies.
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The minimum opening deposit for a standard Metrobank checking account is 10,000 PHP. There are also Metrobank savings accounts, and USD accounts which have different minimum balance requirements depending on the product. If you don’t maintain the specific account’s minimum balance amount you will be charged a fall below fee of 300 PHP - 500 PHP depending on the account.
You can get the Metrobank customer application form on the Metrobank website⁵. Or if you’d prefer, you can pick up a paper copy of the form at the branch when you go to open your account.
Metrobank offers several different savings accounts. Many of the accounts available from Metrobank can either have a passbook, or an ATM and debit card. The Metrobank ATM savings accounts often have lower initial deposit amounts, and lower minimum balance requirements compared to a full account with a passbook included.
Sources:
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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