Get alerts:The bank said its return on average equity rose 270 basis points year over year to 7.5%, while its exit net interest margin (NIM) increased 30 basis points to 325 basis points, the highest level in its history. Commercial lending accounted for 44% of the total loan book, up from 35% a year earlier. Commercial lending generates margins of 330 to 350 basis points over base rate, while specialist mortgages yield more than 200 basis points relative to swaps, compared with 40 to 70 basis points for prime mortgages, he said. Metro Bank said its cost of risk stood at 22 basis points, below its through-the-cycle guidance range of 40 to 60 basis points. About Metro Bank (LON:MTRO)Metro Bank Holdings PLC operates as the bank holding company for Metro Bank PLC that provides various banking products and services in the United Kingdom.