⚖️ Bank Comparison

BDO vs BPI

By the Nook Editorial Team · Reviewed to Nook's editorial standards

Choosing between BDO, BPI, and PNB for your housing loan in 2026? We break down their rates, requirements, and approval timelines so you can pick the best fit — and show you how refinancing through Nook could save you significantly more.

Our Verdict

BDO and BPI Are the Stronger Choices — Especially Through Nook

Both BDO and BPI offer verified, competitive rates as Nook partner banks, with BDO's 1-year fixed at 6.00% and BPI's 5-year fixed at 6.50% standing out as market-leading options. PNB offers standard Philippine bank rates in the 7–9% range, but without the transparency and free broker support that comes with Nook's partner banks. If you're refinancing or taking out a new home loan, applying through Nook gives you access to BDO and BPI's best rates at zero cost to you.

BDO vs BPI vs PNB Housing Loan: At a Glance

This three-way comparison covers the most important factors Filipino homebuyers and homeowners consider when choosing a housing loan: interest rates, income requirements, approval speed, eligible borrower profiles, and loan purposes. BDO and BPI are verified Nook partner banks, meaning the rates shown are confirmed and you can apply through Nook for free. PNB rates are approximate, based on publicly available information, and subject to change — always verify directly with PNB before making a decision.

FeatureBDO UnibankBPI Family Savings BankPNB
1-Year Fixed Rate6.00%6.70%~7.50%–8.50% (approx.)
3-Year Fixed Rate6.75%N/A~7.75%–9.00% (approx.)
5-Year Fixed Rate7.00%6.50%~8.00%–9.50% (approx.)
Home Equity RateN/A6.70%~8.00%+ (approx.)
Min. Monthly Income50,00040,000~40,000–50,000 (approx.)
Max DTI40%40%~40% (approx.)
Typical Approval Time~30 days~52 daysVaries (approx. 30–60 days)
Nook Partner Bank✅ Yes✅ Yes❌ No
Apply via Nook (Free)✅ Yes✅ Yes❌ No

Note: All interest rates are subject to change. BDO and BPI rates are verified Nook partner rates as of 2026. PNB rates are approximate estimates based on publicly available information — please verify current rates directly with PNB.

Interest Rates Compared: Where Each Bank Stands

BDO Unibank

BDO is the Philippines' largest bank and one of Nook's most competitive partner banks. Its 1-year fixed rate of 6.00% p.a. is among the lowest available for home loans in 2026, making it an excellent choice for borrowers who want maximum savings in the near term and plan to reassess rates after the fixed period. The 3-year fixed at 6.75% and 5-year fixed at 7.00% round out a solid product lineup for various borrower strategies.

BPI Family Savings Bank

BPI's standout offering is its 5-year fixed rate of 6.50% p.a. — actually lower than its 1-year fixed of 6.70%, which is a rare and attractive structure for borrowers who want rate certainty over a longer period. This makes BPI especially compelling for homeowners who value stability and want to lock in a low rate without worrying about repricing for five years. BPI also offers a competitive Home Equity rate of 6.70% for those looking to borrow against their property's value. For a deeper look at how these two Nook partner banks stack up one-on-one, see our BPI vs BDO housing loan comparison.

PNB

PNB (Philippine National Bank) is a well-established government-backed institution. However, its published home loan rates are generally in the 7.50%–9.50% range depending on the fixed period, which is notably higher than both BDO and BPI's 2026 offerings. These figures are approximate and based on publicly available information — PNB does periodically offer promotional rates, so it's worth checking directly. That said, without the transparency of a broker relationship, comparing PNB's true all-in costs requires more legwork on your part.

The Rate Gap and What It Means for You

To illustrate the real-world impact: on a 3,000,000 home loan over 20 years, the difference between a 6.00% rate (BDO via Nook) and an 8.50% rate (approximate PNB mid-range) works out to approximately 3,900 pesos more per month in mortgage payments. Over a 5-year fixed period, that's nearly 234,000 pesos in additional interest — money that stays in your pocket if you choose a lower-rate option.

Requirements and Eligibility

BDO Unibank — Who Qualifies?

BDO requires a minimum monthly income of 50,000 and applies a maximum debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of 40%. BDO accepts a wide range of borrower types including private employees, government workers, BPO employees, OFWs and seafarers, self-employed individuals, and professionals. Loan purposes covered include refinancing, home equity, new construction, pre-selling, ready-for-occupancy (RFO), renovation, reselling, and foreclosed properties.

BPI Family Savings Bank — Who Qualifies?

BPI has a slightly lower income threshold at 40,000 per month, making it accessible to a broader range of borrowers. The maximum DTI is also 40%. BPI accepts the same employment types as BDO and covers the same loan purposes, including refinancing, home equity, RFO, pre-selling, new construction, renovation, reselling, and foreclosed properties. The lower income floor makes BPI an attractive option for middle-income earners who may not qualify for BDO.

PNB — Who Qualifies?

PNB's eligibility requirements are broadly similar to other major Philippine banks, with an estimated minimum income of around 40,000–50,000 per month (verify directly). PNB also accepts various employment types and loan purposes. As a government-linked institution, PNB may have specific programs or preferential rates for government employees — worth exploring if that applies to you.

Standard Documentary Requirements (All Three Banks)

Regardless of which bank you choose, expect to prepare the following documents: valid government-issued IDs, latest ITR (Income Tax Return) and BIR Form 2316, Certificate of Employment or business registration documents (for self-employed), bank statements for the last 3–6 months, and property-related documents (title, tax declaration, contract to sell, etc.). Applying through Nook for BDO or BPI means you get guided support in preparing your documents — reducing back-and-forth and helping avoid common rejection pitfalls.

Approval Speed: How Long Will You Wait?

Time is money — especially when you're refinancing and every month at a higher rate costs you more.

If speed is your top priority, BDO is the clear winner among the three. If you're willing to wait slightly longer for BPI's exceptional 5-year fixed rate of 6.50%, the trade-off may well be worth it for the long-term savings.

Refinancing Specifically: Which Bank Is Best?

If you're an existing homeowner looking to refinance your current home loan, both BDO and BPI via Nook are purpose-built for this. Both explicitly list refinancing as a supported loan purpose, and Nook specializes in helping Filipino homeowners move from high-rate loans (often 7%–10%) to the best available rate — currently as low as 5.99% p.a. through Nook's partner network.

For a homeowner currently paying 8.50% on a 4,000,000 loan balance with 15 years remaining, refinancing to 6.00% could reduce monthly payments by approximately 5,000–6,000 pesos and save over 900,000 pesos in total interest over the remaining loan term.

PNB does offer refinancing, but without the verified rate transparency and free broker service that BDO and BPI provide through Nook, it's harder to confirm the true savings upfront. For a more detailed look at how BDO and BPI compare specifically for refinancing, read our full 3-way rate comparison.

Nook's service is 100% free to the borrower — we're compensated by the bank, not you. This means you get expert broker support, rate matching, and document guidance at no added cost.

Which Loan Purpose Fits Which Bank?

Loan PurposeBDOBPIPNB
Refinancing✅ (verify)
Home Equity✅ (verify)
Ready for Occupancy (RFO)✅ (verify)
Pre-Selling✅ (verify)
New Construction✅ (verify)
Renovation✅ (verify)
Reselling✅ (verify)
Foreclosed Property✅ (verify)

PNB loan purposes marked "verify" are based on general knowledge. Confirm directly with PNB for current program availability.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which bank has the lowest housing loan rate in 2026 — BDO, BPI, or PNB?

Among the three, BDO has the lowest 1-year fixed rate at 6.00% p.a., while BPI offers the lowest 5-year fixed rate at 6.50% p.a. Both are verified Nook partner bank rates. PNB's rates are approximately 7.50%–9.50% depending on the fixed period, based on publicly available information — verify directly with PNB for current figures. For the absolute lowest available rate, Nook's best refinance rate is 5.99% p.a. across its partner bank network.

What are the minimum income requirements for BDO, BPI, and PNB housing loans?

BDO requires a minimum monthly income of 50,000. BPI requires a minimum of 40,000 per month, making it more accessible for middle-income borrowers. PNB's minimum income requirement is approximately 40,000–50,000 per month based on general knowledge — confirm directly with PNB. All three banks apply a maximum debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of around 40%.

How long does housing loan approval take at each bank?

BDO typically approves housing loans in about 30 days, making it the fastest of the three. BPI's typical approval timeline is around 52 days. PNB's timeline varies and is estimated at 30–60 days based on borrower feedback — verify with PNB directly. Applying through Nook for BDO or BPI can help speed up your application by ensuring your documents are complete and properly submitted from the start.

Can I refinance my existing home loan with BDO, BPI, or PNB?

Yes, all three banks offer refinancing. However, BDO and BPI are Nook partner banks, meaning you can apply for refinancing through Nook for free and access their verified best rates — currently as low as 6.00% (BDO, 1-year fixed) or 6.50% (BPI, 5-year fixed). If you're currently paying 7%–10%, refinancing through Nook could save you thousands of pesos per month. Nook's broker service is completely free to you as the borrower.

Is BPI or BDO better for a housing loan?

It depends on your priority. BDO is better if you want the lowest 1-year fixed rate (6.00%) and faster approval (around 30 days). BPI is better if you want a lower long-term fixed rate — its 5-year fixed at 6.50% is actually lower than its 1-year rate, making it ideal for borrowers who want stability. Both are Nook partner banks, so you can compare and apply for free through Nook. See our detailed BPI vs BDO housing loan comparison for more guidance.

Does PNB have competitive housing loan rates compared to BDO and BPI?

Based on publicly available information, PNB's housing loan rates are generally higher than both BDO and BPI — estimated at approximately 7.50%–9.50% depending on the fixed period. PNB may offer special programs or promotional rates from time to time, so it's worth checking directly. For most borrowers comparing these three banks, BDO and BPI via Nook will offer more competitive and transparent rates.

What employment types are accepted for BDO and BPI housing loans?

Both BDO and BPI accept a wide range of employment types including private employees, government workers, BPO employees, OFWs and seafarers, self-employed individuals, and licensed professionals. This makes them accessible to most Filipino borrowers regardless of how they earn their income.

How much can I save by refinancing to a lower rate?

The savings depend on your current rate, remaining loan balance, and remaining term. As an example, on a 4,000,000 loan balance with 15 years remaining, moving from 8.50% to 6.00% could reduce your monthly payment by approximately 5,000–6,000 pesos and save over 900,000 pesos in total interest. Use Nook's free refinancing calculator or speak with a Nook advisor to get a personalized estimate based on your actual loan details.

Is Nook's service really free? How does it work?

Yes, Nook's mortgage broker service is 100% free to you as the borrower. Nook is compensated by the bank — not by you — when your loan is successfully processed. You get access to verified rates from multiple partner banks, guided document preparation, and dedicated support throughout the application process, all at no cost. There are no hidden fees, no markups on your rate, and no obligations.