AUB vs PBCOM Home Loan: Quick Comparison
Asia United Bank (AUB) and Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCOM) are both mid-tier Philippine commercial banks offering home loan products. Neither commands the same market share as BDO or BPI, but both serve borrowers who prefer a more personalized banking relationship. Here's how they stack up on the metrics that matter most for refinancing.
| Feature | AUB | PBCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Indicative Interest Rate | 7.50% – 9.00% p.a. | 7.75% – 9.50% p.a. |
| Fixed-Rate Period Options | 1, 2, 3, 5 years | 1, 3, 5 years |
| Minimum Loan Amount | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Maximum Loan Amount | Up to 80% of appraised value | Up to 80% of appraised value |
| Loan Term | Up to 20 years | Up to 20 years |
| Processing Fee | 5,000 – 10,000 (estimated) | 5,000 – 10,000 (estimated) |
| Pre-payment Penalty | Applies within fixed-rate period | Applies within fixed-rate period |
| Branch Network | Wider nationwide presence | More limited branch coverage |
Note: Rates shown are indicative ranges based on publicly available information and may change. Always confirm the latest rates directly with the bank or through Nook.
Monthly Payment Comparison
To make this concrete, let's compare estimated monthly payments on a 3,000,000 home loan over 20 years at each bank's typical rate versus Nook's best available rate of 5.99% p.a.
| Scenario | Rate | Est. Monthly Payment | Total Interest Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUB (mid-range) | 8.25% p.a. | 25,540 | 3,129,600 |
| PBCOM (mid-range) | 8.625% p.a. | 26,130 | 3,271,200 |
| Nook Best Rate | 5.99% p.a. | 21,490 | 2,157,600 |
At Nook's best rate of 5.99% p.a., a borrower with a 3,000,000 loan saves approximately 4,050 per month versus AUB's mid-range rate, and approximately 4,640 per month versus PBCOM's mid-range rate. Over 20 years, that's a potential saving of 972,000 to 1,113,600 in total interest — a life-changing difference.
AUB Home Loan: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Broader fixed-rate period options: AUB offers a 2-year fixed period, which PBCOM does not — giving borrowers more flexibility to match their repricing cycle to their financial plans.
- Established mid-market presence: AUB has been expanding its retail banking footprint, making in-person support more accessible in Metro Manila and key provincial cities.
- Responsive service: Borrowers report relatively prompt processing compared to some smaller banks.
Weaknesses
- Rates not best-in-market: AUB's rates typically sit above what the top refinancing lenders — available through Nook — can offer.
- Limited online loan management: Digital tools for home loan management are not as advanced as larger banks.
- Pre-payment restrictions: Paying off your loan early within the fixed-rate lock-in period will incur penalties.
If you've already looked at AUB and want to see how it compares against another digital-era lender, our AUB vs CIMB home loan comparison explores how a newer digital bank measures up.
PBCOM Home Loan: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Competitive introductory rates: PBCOM occasionally offers promotional rates for the first fixed-rate period that can be attractive for shorter holding periods.
- Personalized service: As a smaller bank, PBCOM can sometimes offer a more hands-on relationship manager experience.
- Flexible loan structuring: PBCOM loan officers may have some discretion in structuring terms to fit borrower needs.
Weaknesses
- Limited branch network: PBCOM's branch coverage is more concentrated in Metro Manila and a handful of key cities, which can complicate servicing for provincial borrowers.
- Less rate transparency: PBCOM publishes fewer publicly available rate benchmarks than AUB, making it harder to compare without a direct application.
- Higher rate ceiling: When introductory periods end, PBCOM's repriced rates can be among the higher ones in the mid-tier bank segment.
Refinancing from AUB or PBCOM: What You Need to Know
If you currently have a home loan with either AUB or PBCOM and your fixed-rate period is ending soon, now is the ideal time to explore refinancing. When your loan reprices to a higher floating or new fixed rate, your monthly payment can jump significantly — often by 3,000 to 8,000 per month on a typical loan.
Refinancing works by taking out a new home loan (with a better rate) to pay off your existing one. Through Nook, you can compare offers from multiple lenders simultaneously, and Nook handles all the paperwork and lender coordination at no cost to you.
Typical Refinancing Requirements
- Property must be titled and free of legal encumbrances (or being released from the current bank)
- Borrower must be employed or self-employed with verifiable income
- Loan-to-value ratio typically 70–80% maximum
- Clean credit history (no major defaults)
- Property must be located in an area where the new lender operates
Documents Typically Required
- Latest 3 months payslips or ITR (for self-employed)
- Copy of existing loan statement showing outstanding balance
- Title documents (TCT or CCT)
- Tax Declaration and latest real property tax receipt
- Government-issued IDs
For a sense of how the broader mid-tier bank landscape compares, you may also find our DBP vs UCPB home loan comparison useful if you're evaluating government-backed lenders as an alternative.
Why Nook's 5.99% Rate Is Worth Considering
Both AUB and PBCOM are legitimate lenders, but neither is consistently able to offer the most competitive refinancing rates in the market. Nook works with a panel of lenders — including banks that don't heavily advertise their refinancing products to the general public — to surface rates as low as 5.99% p.a.
On a 5,000,000 loan over 20 years, the difference between 8.25% (AUB mid-range) and 5.99% (Nook best rate) is approximately 6,750 per month, or over 1,620,000 in total interest savings. There is no fee charged to the borrower for using Nook's service — Nook is compensated by the lender, not by you.
| Loan Amount | Monthly Payment at 8.25% | Monthly Payment at 5.99% | Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,000,000 | 17,030 | 14,330 | 2,700 |
| 3,000,000 | 25,540 | 21,490 | 4,050 |
| 5,000,000 | 42,570 | 35,820 | 6,750 |
| 8,000,000 | 68,110 | 57,310 | 10,800 |
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Compare My Options →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for a home loan, AUB or PBCOM?
AUB generally offers slightly more flexible fixed-rate period options (including a 2-year fixed term) and has a wider branch network, which can be useful for in-person servicing. PBCOM may offer competitive introductory rates but has a more limited presence and less publicly available rate information. For most borrowers, however, comparing both banks against Nook's wider lender panel — which includes rates as low as 5.99% p.a. — will surface a better deal than either bank can offer on a direct basis.
What is AUB's current home loan interest rate?
AUB's home loan rates are indicatively in the range of 7.50% to 9.00% p.a. depending on the fixed-rate period chosen and the borrower's profile. Rates change periodically, so you should confirm the current rate directly with AUB or let Nook pull a current offer on your behalf as part of a broader market comparison.
What is PBCOM's current home loan interest rate?
PBCOM's home loan interest rates are indicatively in the range of 7.75% to 9.50% p.a. PBCOM publishes fewer publicly available rate tables than some other banks, so the best way to get a definitive current quote is to apply directly or to use a broker service like Nook that can request rates on your behalf across multiple lenders simultaneously.
Can I refinance my AUB home loan to get a lower rate?
Yes. If your AUB home loan's fixed-rate period is ending, or if you locked in at a higher rate several years ago, refinancing is a smart option to explore. Nook can compare current offers from multiple lenders against your AUB outstanding balance and remaining term, and help you move to a lower rate — potentially as low as 5.99% p.a. — at no cost to you.
Can I refinance my PBCOM home loan through Nook?
Yes. Nook helps homeowners refinance from any existing lender, including PBCOM. The process involves Nook sourcing competitive offers from its lender panel, handling the paperwork, and coordinating with both your current bank and the new lender. Nook's service is completely free to borrowers — you pay no broker fees at any stage.
How much can I save by refinancing from AUB or PBCOM to a lower rate?
Savings depend on your outstanding balance, remaining term, and the rate difference. As an example, on a 3,000,000 loan with 20 years remaining, refinancing from 8.25% to 5.99% saves approximately 4,050 per month, or around 972,000 in total interest over the life of the loan. Use Nook's free refinancing calculator to estimate your personal savings based on your actual loan details.
Is there a penalty for refinancing away from AUB or PBCOM?
Both AUB and PBCOM typically impose a pre-payment penalty if you refinance during the fixed-rate lock-in period. The penalty is usually a percentage of the outstanding balance, often 1% to 3%. Once the fixed-rate period ends, you can usually refinance without penalty. Nook will factor any applicable penalties into your savings calculation so you can make an informed decision.
Does Nook charge a fee for comparing AUB and PBCOM home loan rates?
No. Nook's service is 100% free to borrowers. Nook earns a referral fee from the lender only if you successfully refinance through the platform — and this does not affect the rate you receive. You can get a full market comparison, including rates from lenders beyond just AUB and PBCOM, without paying anything.