First National 5-year variable mortgage rate.
Today’s best 5-year variable in our network is 3.60%. We access First National’s broker-channel pricing — typically 15-30 bps below posted — and compare it across 50+ lenders.
First National’s best 5-year variable rate today is approximately 3.60% through the broker channel — about $2,826/month on a $700,000 home with 20% down over 25 years. A 5-year variable is the term for borrowers who expect rates flat-to-lower and want the cheapest exit. The branch rate is rarely First National’s best — the broker channel typically runs 15-30 bps lower.
The 5-year variable with First National
Who it suits. Borrowers comfortable with some payment movement in exchange for a usually-lower starting rate and a far cheaper break cost. It suits people who might move, refinance, or sell within the term, and those who believe the Bank of Canada's next moves are cuts rather than hikes.
What drives the rate. A 5-year variable moves with your lender's prime rate, which tracks the Bank of Canada's overnight policy rate. When the Bank cuts, your rate (and often your payment) falls within weeks; when it hikes, it rises. The variable-versus-fixed gap — the 'spread' — widens and narrows with the market's rate outlook.
Breaking it early. The break penalty is only three months' interest — typically a fraction of a fixed mortgage's IRD — which is the single biggest reason mobile or uncertain borrowers choose variable.
How First National prices the broker channel
Largest broker-channel monoline by volume. Excellent on prime insured + insurable files, with consistent execution and predictable underwriting. The Excalibur program is one of the best uninsured alt-prime offerings.
First National runs two 5-year variable rate sheets: the posted/branch rate and a wholesale broker-channel rate a licensed brokerage accesses, usually 15-30 bps lower because the broker handles origination. You can’t reach it by walking into a branch. On a $700,000 mortgage, 20 bps is roughly $1,400 a year.
- Prime insured pricing
- Excalibur uninsured alt-prime
- Commercial lending desk
- Fair-IRD penalties
A worked example
On a $700,000 home with 20% down, the mortgage is $560,000. At First National’s best 5-year variable rate of 3.60% over a 25-year amortization, the payment is about $2,826/month. Walk into a branch at the posted rate (~15-30 bps higher) and you’d pay $50-100 more a month for the identical mortgage — which is exactly what the broker channel saves. Model your numbers in the First National calculator.
Whatever your situation with First National
We submit to First National's broker desk and 50+ other lenders on one application — whichever prices your file lowest wins.
First-time buyers
5% down with FHSA + RRSP HBP optimization — First National or whichever lender prices you lowest.
Refinancing
Unlock equity for renovations, debt consolidation or investing.
Renewing
Don't auto-renew with First National — most clients beat the first offer by 30-60 bps.
Self-employed
Business-for-self files priced right across A-lender, alt-A and private.
Bruised credit
B-lender and private paths now, with a mapped exit back to A-pricing.
Breaking a First mortgage
Estimate the First National posted-rate IRD penalty before you switch.
6 reasons to get First National's 5-year variable through a broker
Why the branch rate is rarely First National's best 5-year variable — and how the broker channel changes the math.
Access the broker channel
First National's broker-channel 5-year variable rate is typically 15-30 bps below the branch rate — and you can only reach it through a licensed brokerage like ours.
First National and 50+ others compete
We submit your file to First National's broker desk and the rest of the network on one application, so you get First National's best and the market's best side by side.
No bureau pull to start
We can shop your First 5-year variable rate without a hard credit check, so comparing costs you nothing.
We handle the paperwork
From application to First National's underwriting to funding, we manage the file end-to-end.
Switch or renew without overpaying
At maturity we benchmark First National's renewal/switch offer against the whole market so you never auto-renew high.
Best-rate guarantee
We'll beat any comparable Big-6 5-year variable offer or pay you $500 — and our advice is free, paid by the funding lender.
Why shop First National through us
- Direct access to First National's broker desk — plus 50+ other lenders on one application.
- Broker-channel pricing 15-30 bps below First National's posted rate.
- One application, every lender — First National's best and the market's best, then you choose.
- FSRA-licensed advice, no bureau pull to start, best-rate guarantee or $500.