MetroBank is one of the Philippines' Big Three banks, with over 900 branches and a solid online banking platform. If you're a freelancer receiving international payments through Wise and you bank with MetroBank, this guide shows you exactly how to get your money from Wise into your MetroBank account — step by step, with all the fees and processing times laid out.
Whether your sahod comes from Upwork, direct clients, or affiliate programs, the process is the same. And with Wise's mid-market exchange rate, you'll keep more pesos compared to traditional wire transfers or remittance services.
Table of Contents
Why MetroBank for Freelance Withdrawals?
MetroBank (officially Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company) is a popular choice among Filipino freelancers for several reasons:
- 900+ branches nationwide — easy to find a branch wherever you are in the Philippines
- Metrobank Direct — their digital-only account can be opened online without visiting a branch
- Low maintaining balance — Regular Savings requires only ₱2,000 average daily balance (ADB), and Metrobank Direct has no maintaining balance
- Good online and mobile banking — easy transfers to GCash, Maya, and other banks via InstaPay/PESONet
- No receiving fee for incoming PESONet/InstaPay transfers
- SWIFT code available (MABORPHMXXX) for international wires if needed
MetroBank Quick Reference
SWIFT/BIC Code: MABORPHMXXX
Bank Code (PESONet): MBTC
Account Number Format: 13 digits
Maintaining Balance (Regular Savings): ₱2,000 ADB
Metrobank Direct: No maintaining balance, opened online
Customer Service: (02) 88-700-700
What You'll Need
- A verified Wise account with funds in any supported currency — Create your free Wise account here
- A MetroBank savings or current account in PHP, under your name
- Your MetroBank 13-digit account number
- Your full name as registered with MetroBank (must match Wise)
Step-by-Step: Sending Money from Wise to MetroBank
1 Log in to Your Wise Account
Open the Wise app on your phone or visit wise.com on your browser. Log in with your credentials. If you use two-factor authentication (and you should), confirm with the verification code.
2 Tap "Send Money"
On the home screen, tap the green "Send money" button. Don't confuse this with "Convert" — "Send money" is what sends funds to an external bank account. "Convert" only moves money between currencies within your Wise account.
3 Enter the Amount and Choose PHP
In the "You send" field, enter the amount in your source currency. For example, 300 USD. Make sure the "Recipient gets" currency is set to PHP. Wise will display the conversion amount, the fee, and the exchange rate.
You send: $300 USD
Wise conversion fee: $1.71 (0.57%)
Exchange rate: ₱56.50 per USD (mid-market)
PHP payout fee: ₱88
Recipient gets: ₱16,755.37
Estimated delivery: 1-2 business days
Review the total and tap "Continue".
4 Select Recipient: "Myself"
Choose "Myself" since you're withdrawing to your own MetroBank account. If you've sent to MetroBank before, your saved recipient will appear — select it and skip to Step 6. If this is your first time, tap "Add new recipient".
5 Enter MetroBank Account Details
Fill in the recipient details carefully:
Bank: Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company (MetroBank) — select from the dropdown list
Account number: Your 13-digit MetroBank account number
Account type: Savings or Checking/Current
MetroBank account numbers are exactly 13 digits. If your passbook shows fewer digits, check for leading zeros. The full 13-digit number is on your bank statement, Metrobank Online, or the Metrobank app under Account Details.
6 Add a Reference (Optional)
You can add a reference or note for the transfer. This is optional and mainly for your personal record-keeping. Something like "March freelance withdrawal" works fine. The reference may or may not appear on your MetroBank statement.
7 Review and Confirm
The confirmation screen shows everything in one view:
- Amount sending
- Wise fee
- Exchange rate (mid-market)
- Amount MetroBank will receive in PHP
- Estimated delivery date
- Recipient name and MetroBank account number
Triple-check the account number. A single wrong digit could send your money to the wrong account, and recovery from MetroBank is difficult and slow. When you're sure everything is correct, tap "Confirm and send".
8 Fund the Transfer
If paying from your Wise balance, the funds are deducted immediately and the transfer starts processing. If paying from an external source, complete the payment using your preferred method (bank transfer, debit card, etc.).
You'll see a real-time tracking screen showing the status of your transfer. Wise sends notifications at each stage.
9 Monitor the Transfer
Track the progress in your Wise app under "Activity" or "Transfers". You'll see three stages:
2. Money sent: Wise has sent the PHP to MetroBank through PESONet
3. Money received: MetroBank has received and credited the funds to your account
You'll also receive an email at each stage. The "Money sent" status typically updates within a few hours of confirming the transfer.
10 Check Your MetroBank Account
Log in to Metrobank Online or the Metrobank app to verify the PHP has arrived. You can also check by:
- Checking your balance via the Metrobank app
- Calling the automated balance inquiry line: (02) 88-700-700
- Visiting any Metrobank ATM
- Checking your passbook at a branch (if you have a passbook account)
The transfer will appear as a PESONet credit or InstaPay credit in your transaction history.
Complete Fees Breakdown
Transparency is Wise's biggest advantage. Here's exactly what you pay for a Wise to MetroBank transfer:
| Fee Component | Amount | Who Charges It |
|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion (USD→PHP) | 0.43-0.68% of amount | Wise |
| PHP payout fee | ₱45-120 (varies by route) | Wise |
| Exchange rate markup | ₱0 (mid-market rate, no markup) | Wise |
| MetroBank receiving fee | ₱0 (free) | MetroBank |
| Total cost on $500 USD | ~₱245-375 (0.55-0.85%) |
Real-World Fee Calculations
| Amount Sent | Wise Fee | PHP Payout Fee | Total Cost | You Receive (PHP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100 USD | $0.57 | ₱88 | ~₱120 | ~₱5,530 |
| $300 USD | $1.71 | ₱88 | ~₱185 | ~₱16,775 |
| $500 USD | $2.85 | ₱88 | ~₱249 | ~₱28,012 |
| $1,000 USD | $5.70 | ₱88 | ~₱410 | ~₱56,090 |
| $2,000 USD | $11.40 | ₱88 | ~₱732 | ~₱112,268 |
Calculations based on USD/PHP rate of ₱56.50. Actual amounts will vary based on current exchange rates.
Processing Time
How long does it take for Wise money to arrive in your MetroBank account?
| Scenario | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Weekday morning (before 12 PM PHT) | Same day to 1 business day |
| Weekday afternoon | 1-2 business days |
| Friday afternoon / Evening | Next Monday (2-3 calendar days) |
| Saturday or Sunday | Monday or Tuesday (1-3 calendar days) |
| Philippine holiday | Next business day after the holiday |
Wise delivers PHP to MetroBank primarily through PESONet, which is the batch payment system operated by the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas). PESONet processes transfers in batches throughout the business day, which is why timing matters.
In some cases, Wise may use InstaPay for MetroBank transfers (for amounts under ₱50,000). InstaPay transfers are near-instant and arrive within minutes during banking hours. However, Wise doesn't guarantee which route they'll use — it depends on their system's routing logic at the time of transfer.
MetroBank Account Details You'll Need
Before you set up MetroBank as a recipient in Wise, have these details ready:
Finding Your MetroBank Account Number
- Metrobank App: Open the app → Tap your account → Account number is displayed at the top (13 digits)
- Metrobank Online: Log in → Go to Accounts → Your 13-digit account number is listed
- Passbook: The account number is printed on the inside cover of your passbook
- ATM receipt: Your account number appears on any ATM transaction receipt
- Bank statement: Account number is at the top of your monthly statement
MetroBank Account Number Format
MetroBank account numbers are exactly 13 digits. The format is typically: XXX-X-XXXXXXX-X where the first three digits represent the branch code. When entering in Wise, enter all 13 digits without dashes or spaces.
Example format: 1234567890123 (13 digits total)
Account Name Matching
The account holder name you enter in Wise must match the name on your MetroBank account. Common issues:
- Middle name: If your MetroBank account shows your middle name, include it in Wise
- Suffixes: If your bank account has "Jr." or "III," include it
- Married name: Make sure both Wise and MetroBank have the same surname
- Special characters: Avoid using accents or special characters — use plain English letters
Tips for Smooth Wise to MetroBank Transfers
- Save MetroBank as a recipient. After your first successful transfer, Wise saves the recipient details. You won't need to re-enter the account number each time — just select the saved recipient.
- Send on Tuesday-Thursday mornings. Monday mornings can have backlogs from weekend transfers, and Friday afternoons risk delays into Monday. Tuesday through Thursday mornings (PHT) consistently give the fastest processing.
- Batch your withdrawals. The fixed ₱88 PHP payout fee makes larger transfers more efficient. Instead of withdrawing $100 weekly, consider withdrawing $400-500 bi-weekly. The ₱88 fee stays the same regardless of amount.
- Set rate alerts. In the Wise app, go to your USD balance → tap "Set alert" → choose your target rate. Wise will notify you when the USD/PHP rate hits your target. This lets you convert when the rate is in your favor.
- Keep a small buffer in Wise. Don't withdraw everything. Keep $50-100 in your Wise account for emergencies, online subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, Adobe), or unexpected expenses. Wise's multi-currency account is also great for holding EUR or GBP if you have European clients.
- Activate Metrobank Online notifications. Enable SMS or push notifications in the Metrobank app so you know immediately when the transfer arrives. Go to Settings → Notifications → Turn on Deposits/Credits.
- Keep your Wise verification current. Update your ID if it expires. Wise may freeze transfers if your verification documents are outdated. Upload a new valid ID proactively before it expires.
Common Problems and Solutions
Transfer returned / bounced back
Likely cause: Wrong account number, name mismatch, or the MetroBank account is closed/frozen.
Solution: Verify your 13-digit MetroBank account number is correct. Confirm the name matches exactly. If the transfer bounces, the money returns to your Wise balance within 3-5 business days. Fix the details and try again.
Transfer stuck on "Processing" for more than 2 days
Likely cause: Wise may need additional verification, or there's a system delay.
Solution: Check your email for verification requests from Wise. If there are none, wait one more business day. If it's been 3+ business days with no update, contact Wise support through the app (Profile → Help → Contact us). Have your transfer reference number ready.
Money sent but not in MetroBank after 2 business days
Likely cause: The PESONet transfer is still being processed by MetroBank, or the transfer was credited but isn't showing in your online banking yet.
Solution: Check your MetroBank passbook at a branch (passbook accounts sometimes show transactions before online banking). Call MetroBank customer service at (02) 88-700-700 and ask if there's a pending PESONet credit. Provide the approximate amount and date. If MetroBank hasn't received it, contact Wise support with the transfer reference number.
Amount received is different from what Wise showed
Likely cause: This shouldn't happen since MetroBank doesn't charge receiving fees for PESONet. If the amount is slightly different, it could be due to exchange rate movement between the time you confirmed and when Wise actually converted (this is rare with Wise's instant conversion).
Solution: Check the transfer details in Wise to see the exact PHP amount sent. Compare it with what MetroBank received. If there's a discrepancy, contact Wise support with screenshots of both.
MetroBank account frozen after receiving large amount
Likely cause: MetroBank's anti-money laundering (AML) system may flag large or unusual incoming transfers, especially if your account doesn't normally receive such amounts.
Solution: Visit your MetroBank branch with a valid ID and proof of income (Upwork earnings statement, freelance contracts, etc.). The bank will ask you to fill out a Customer Information Update form and may ask about the source of funds. This is standard BSP compliance and resolves within 1-3 business days.
Wise gives you the mid-market rate with no hidden markups — more pesos in your MetroBank account.
Open Free Wise Account →
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Wise to MetroBank take?
Typically 1-2 business days. Transfers initiated on weekday mornings (before 12 PM PHT) often arrive the same day or next morning. Weekend transfers are processed on the following Monday. MetroBank receives Wise transfers through PESONet, which has multiple clearing cycles throughout the business day.
What is the MetroBank SWIFT code for Wise transfers?
MetroBank's SWIFT code is MABORPHMXXX. However, Wise typically uses local payment rails (PESONet/InstaPay) for PHP transfers, not SWIFT. You only need your 13-digit MetroBank account number and your full name when setting up the transfer in Wise. The SWIFT code is only relevant for international wire transfers from other banks.
Is there a minimum amount for Wise to MetroBank?
Wise has no minimum transfer amount for PHP payouts. You can send as little as $1 or its equivalent. However, due to the fixed PHP payout fee (₱45-120), very small transfers are less cost-efficient. For the best value, transfer at least $100 or more at a time.
What MetroBank account type works with Wise?
All MetroBank PHP-denominated accounts work: Regular Savings, Passbook Savings, Metrobank Direct (online-only), and Checking/Current accounts. Dollar accounts do not work — Wise sends PHP only through local payment rails. The account must be active and in your name.
Does MetroBank charge for receiving Wise transfers?
No. MetroBank does not charge a receiving fee for incoming PESONet or InstaPay transfers. You receive the full PHP amount that Wise sends. The only fees are on the Wise side: the conversion fee (0.43-0.68%) and the PHP payout fee (₱45-120).
Can I send from Wise to a MetroBank Dollar account?
No. Wise's Philippine payout routes only deliver PHP to PHP-denominated bank accounts. If you want to hold USD in MetroBank, you would need a traditional international wire transfer from your Wise USD account details, which is significantly more expensive. It's almost always better to let Wise convert at the mid-market rate and receive PHP.
What if I enter the wrong MetroBank account number?
If the wrong number doesn't match any active MetroBank account, the transfer will be rejected automatically and the money returns to your Wise balance in 3-5 business days. If the wrong number accidentally matches another person's account, the money may be credited to them. Recovery in this case requires contacting both Wise and MetroBank immediately. Always double-check the 13-digit account number before confirming.
Summary
Sending money from Wise to MetroBank is straightforward:
- Open Wise → Send Money → Enter amount → Select PHP
- Add MetroBank as recipient → Enter 13-digit account number → Confirm name matches
- Review fees and rate → Confirm and send
- Wait 1-2 business days → Check Metrobank app for the deposit
Total cost: less than 1% of your transfer amount. No hidden exchange rate markup. No MetroBank receiving fee. It's the cheapest way to get your international freelance earnings into a Philippine bank account.
Compared to traditional wire transfers that can cost ₱2,000-3,000 on a $500 transfer, Wise saves you over 80% on fees. That savings adds up — especially if you're withdrawing your sahod regularly.
Once you've set it up the first time, future transfers take about 2 minutes. Just select your saved MetroBank recipient, enter the amount, and confirm. Para lang nagpa-padala sa sarili mo — mura at mabilis.
Wise gives Filipino freelancers the mid-market rate with transparent fees. No surprises.
Try Wise Free →