AUB vs SB Finance: Home Loan Overview
Asia United Bank (AUB) is a full-service commercial bank with a dedicated home loan product that caters to employed and self-employed Filipino borrowers. SB Finance, on the other hand, is a consumer lending subsidiary of Security Bank that focuses on personal and home loan products with a largely digital-first approach. While both serve the refinancing market, they operate with different pricing structures, documentary requirements, and approval timelines.
If you're currently paying 7% or higher on your existing home loan — which is common among borrowers with older BDO, Metrobank, or PNB mortgages — comparing these two lenders is a smart first step. But as you'll see below, neither bank's published rates match what you can access through a mortgage broker like Nook.
Interest Rate Comparison
| Feature | AUB | SB Finance |
|---|---|---|
| Indicative Rate (1-year fixed) | ~7.50% p.a. | ~7.99% p.a. |
| Indicative Rate (3-year fixed) | ~8.00% p.a. | ~8.50% p.a. |
| Indicative Rate (5-year fixed) | ~8.50% p.a. | ~9.00% p.a. |
| Best Rate via Nook | 5.99% p.a. | |
Important: Rates shown are indicative and based on publicly available information. Actual rates depend on loan amount, term, property type, and borrower profile. Nook's 5.99% p.a. rate is the lowest currently available across its panel of partner banks and may vary by borrower.
To put this in perspective: on a loan of 3,000,000 over 20 years, the difference between 7.99% and 5.99% is roughly 9,500 per month in repayments — that's over 2,000,000 in total interest savings over the life of the loan.
Fees and Charges
| Fee Type | AUB | SB Finance |
|---|---|---|
| Processing Fee | ~5,000–10,000 | ~5,000–8,000 |
| Appraisal Fee | ~3,500–5,000 | ~3,500–5,000 |
| Mortgage Registration | Borrower's account | Borrower's account |
| Early Repayment Penalty | Typically applies within fixed period | Typically applies within fixed period |
| Broker Fee (via Nook) | FREE — Nook charges borrowers nothing | |
Both banks charge broadly similar upfront fees, so the key differentiator comes down to the interest rate itself. When you factor in how much you can save with a lower rate, small differences in processing fees become relatively minor.
Loan Terms and Eligibility
| Criteria | AUB | SB Finance |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Loan Amount | ~500,000 | ~500,000 |
| 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 |
| Eligible Borrowers | Employed, self-employed, OFWs | Employed, self-employed |
| Minimum Age | 21 years old | 21 years old |
| Maximum Age at Loan End | 65 years old | 65 years old |
AUB has a slight advantage for OFW borrowers, who often find it harder to qualify with digital-first lenders like SB Finance. Both banks require a clean credit history and proof of sufficient income to cover monthly amortizations.
Application Process
AUB follows a traditional bank application process — you'll typically deal with a loan officer either at a branch or via their online inquiry form. Processing times can range from 2 to 4 weeks depending on completeness of documents and property appraisal scheduling.
SB Finance leans more digital, with an online application portal and a dedicated team for follow-ups. This can make early stages faster, though final approval timelines are similar once documents are submitted and the appraisal is completed.
Via Nook: When you apply through Nook, a dedicated advisor handles the entire process on your behalf — gathering documents, comparing offers from multiple banks simultaneously, and negotiating rates. Most borrowers get a decision within 3–5 business days, and the entire service is free.
Which Borrowers Does Each Bank Suit?
AUB is better for:
- OFWs or borrowers with non-traditional income documentation
- Those who prefer dealing with a full-service commercial bank
- Borrowers refinancing loans originally from smaller rural banks or cooperative banks
SB Finance is better for:
- Tech-savvy borrowers who prefer a digital-first process
- Those refinancing from a Security Bank or other major bank loan
- Borrowers who want streamlined communication and a single point of contact
Nook is better for everyone — because instead of choosing between AUB and SB Finance, you let Nook compare both (and up to a dozen other banks) at once, then present you with the best available offer. You can also check out our comparison of AUB vs CIMB home loan rates if you're considering other digital lenders alongside SB Finance.
Sample Monthly Repayment Comparison
The table below shows estimated monthly repayments for a 3,000,000 home loan over 20 years at different interest rates. All figures are approximate and for illustration only.
| Interest Rate | Monthly Repayment | Total Interest Paid |
|---|---|---|
| 9.00% (SB Finance indicative) | ~26,992 | ~3,478,080 |
| 7.50% (AUB indicative) | ~24,155 | ~2,797,200 |
| 5.99% (via Nook) | ~21,482 | ~2,155,680 |
At 5.99% versus SB Finance's indicative 9.00%, a borrower on a 3,000,000 loan would save approximately 5,510 per month and over 1,322,000 in total interest. Even compared to AUB's more competitive rate, refinancing through Nook saves around 2,673 per month. For borrowers comparing other bank pairs, our DBP vs UCPB comparison shows similar savings potential across government-linked lenders.
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Compare My Options →Frequently Asked Questions
Is AUB or SB Finance better for home loan refinancing?
AUB generally offers slightly lower rates and broader eligibility, making it the stronger choice between the two for most refinancers. However, the best outcome is to compare both — along with other banks — through a free service like Nook, which can secure rates as low as 5.99% p.a., lower than either bank's published offerings.
What is SB Finance's current home loan interest rate?
SB Finance's home loan rates are indicatively around 7.99% to 9.00% p.a. depending on the fixed-rate period chosen and the borrower's profile. Rates are subject to change, so it's best to request a formal quote or apply through Nook to compare live offers.
What is AUB's current home loan interest rate?
AUB's indicative home loan rates start at around 7.50% p.a. for a 1-year fixed period, rising slightly for longer fixed terms. Actual rates depend on your loan amount, term, and financial profile. Nook can tell you definitively whether AUB or another bank offers you the best deal.
Can I refinance from AUB to SB Finance, or vice versa?
Yes, refinancing between these two banks is possible as long as you meet the new lender's eligibility criteria. However, rather than switching directly between AUB and SB Finance, it's worth using Nook to compare all available options at once — you may find a better rate elsewhere without any extra effort.
How much can I save by refinancing through Nook instead of going directly to AUB or SB Finance?
On a loan of 3,000,000 over 20 years, refinancing at Nook's best rate of 5.99% p.a. instead of SB Finance's indicative 9.00% could save you approximately 5,510 per month — or over 1,300,000 in total interest. Even versus AUB's more competitive rates, monthly savings of around 2,600 are realistic.
Does Nook charge a fee to compare AUB and SB Finance home loans?
No. Nook's service is completely free for borrowers. Nook is paid by the bank when a loan is successfully arranged, so you get expert advice, rate comparisons across multiple lenders, and full application support at no cost to you.
How long does it take to refinance with AUB or SB Finance?
Both AUB and SB Finance typically take 2 to 4 weeks to process a refinance application once all documents are submitted and the property appraisal is done. Applying through Nook can streamline this process, as your advisor handles document preparation and follows up with the bank on your behalf.
Are OFWs eligible to refinance with AUB or SB Finance?
AUB is generally more accommodating of OFW borrowers and accepts overseas employment documentation. SB Finance primarily targets locally employed or self-employed borrowers. OFWs looking to refinance should also consider Nook, which can match them with the most OFW-friendly lenders on its panel.