⚖️ Bank Comparison

BDO vs BPI

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

BDO, BPI, and Security Bank are three of the Philippines' most popular housing loan providers — but their rates, approval timelines, and requirements differ significantly. Here's a side-by-side breakdown to help you choose the best bank for your 2026 home loan or refinance.

Our Verdict

BDO offers the lowest 1-year fixed rate, but Security Bank approves fastest — apply to all three for free through Nook.

For borrowers prioritizing the lowest starting rate, BDO's 6.00% p.a. 1-year fixed leads the pack. Security Bank stands out for speed at just 23 days typical approval, making it ideal if you're on a tight timeline. BPI strikes a middle ground with accessible income requirements and a competitive 5-year fixed rate of 6.50% p.a. Because Nook's service is 100% free to borrowers, the smartest move is to apply to multiple banks simultaneously and let the banks compete for your loan.

BDO vs BPI vs Security Bank: 2026 Housing Loan Rate Comparison

Interest rates are the single biggest factor in determining how much your home loan costs over its lifetime. Below are the verified rates from each bank, available through Nook as of 2026. Note that interest rates are subject to change — always verify current rates before applying.

Bank1-Year Fixed3-Year Fixed5-Year FixedHome Equity
BDO Unibank6.00% p.a.6.00% p.a.
BPI Family Savings Bank6.70% p.a.6.50% p.a.6.70% p.a.
Security Bank6.99% p.a.7.25% p.a.7.75% p.a.7.50% p.a.

All three banks are Nook partner banks. Applying through Nook is 100% free for borrowers.

How Much Can You Save by Choosing the Right Bank?

The rate difference between banks may look small on paper, but over a 20-year loan it adds up to hundreds of thousands of pesos. Here's a real example using a 3,000,000 peso loan over 20 years:

BankRate (1-Year Fixed)Est. Monthly PaymentTotal Interest (20 yrs)
BDO Unibank6.00% p.a.21,4922,158,080
BPI Family Savings Bank6.70% p.a.22,5732,417,520
Security Bank6.99% p.a.23,1292,551,080

Choosing BDO over Security Bank on this loan could save you approximately 393,000 pesos in total interest over 20 years — just by picking the lower rate. This is why comparing banks before you commit matters so much.

If you're currently paying 8% or higher on an existing loan, refinancing to any of these three banks through Nook could reduce your monthly payments significantly. Use our home loan bank comparison for 2026 to see how other banks stack up as well.

Eligibility Requirements: Who Qualifies at Each Bank?

Meeting a bank's minimum requirements is the first step. Here's how the three banks compare on key eligibility criteria:

RequirementBDOBPISecurity Bank
Min. Monthly Income50,00040,00050,000
Max. Debt-to-Income (DTI)40%40%40%
Freelancers AcceptedNoNoYes
OFW/SeafarersYesYesYes
Self-EmployedYesYesYes

Key insight: BPI has the lowest minimum monthly income requirement at 40,000 pesos, making it the most accessible of the three for borrowers with moderate incomes. Security Bank is the only one of the three that explicitly accepts freelancers — a major advantage for the growing number of independent workers in the Philippines.

Approval Speed: Which Bank Is Fastest?

If you're racing against a property reservation deadline or want to refinance quickly, approval speed matters. Here's how the three banks compare:

BankTypical Approval TimeBest For
Security Bank~23 daysBorrowers who need fast approval
BDO Unibank~30 daysBorrowers prioritizing low rates with reasonable speed
BPI Family Savings Bank~52 daysBorrowers who have time and want BPI's 5-year fixed rate

Security Bank's 23-day approval is the fastest of the three by a significant margin. BPI's 52-day timeline is the longest — so if you're refinancing or buying a property with a firm deadline, plan accordingly.

Loan Purposes: What Can You Use Each Loan For?

All three banks cover the most common home loan purposes, but there are minor differences worth knowing:

Loan PurposeBDOBPISecurity Bank
Refinancing
Home Equity
Ready For Occupancy (RFO)
Pre-Selling
New Construction
Renovation
Reselling
Foreclosed Properties

Good news: all three banks support the full range of loan purposes including refinancing, home equity, new construction, pre-selling, RFO, renovation, reselling, and foreclosed properties. No matter what you're trying to accomplish, you have genuine options across all three lenders.

Which Bank Is Best for Refinancing?

All three banks offer refinancing, and Nook specializes in helping Filipino homeowners refinance to lower rates. Most homeowners are currently paying between 7% and 10% on their existing loans — refinancing to BDO's 6.00% p.a. or even BPI's 6.70% p.a. can mean thousands in monthly savings.

For a deeper look at how these three banks compare specifically on refinancing scenarios, see our BPI vs BDO vs Security Bank lowest housing loan rate comparison.

The smartest refinancing strategy: apply to all three banks through Nook at the same time. Nook's service is completely free to borrowers, and submitting multiple applications lets you compare actual offers — not just advertised rates — before you decide.

Bank-by-Bank Summary

BDO Unibank

Best for: Borrowers who want the lowest available 1-year fixed rate and are comfortable with a 30-day approval window.

  • Lowest 1-year fixed rate: 6.00% p.a.
  • Competitive home equity rate: 6.00% p.a.
  • Minimum monthly income: 50,000 pesos
  • Accepts private employees, government workers, BPO, OFW/Seafarers, self-employed, and professionals
  • Typical approval: 30 days

BPI Family Savings Bank

Best for: Borrowers with moderate incomes who want a competitive 5-year fixed rate and don't need the fastest possible approval.

  • 1-year fixed rate: 6.70% p.a.
  • Best 5-year fixed rate of the three: 6.50% p.a.
  • Lowest minimum monthly income: 40,000 pesos
  • Accepts private, government, BPO, OFW/Seafarers, self-employed, and professionals
  • Typical approval: 52 days

Security Bank

Best for: Borrowers who need fast approval, are freelancers, or want the flexibility of 1-, 3-, and 5-year fixed rate options.

  • 1-year fixed rate: 6.99% p.a.
  • 3-year fixed rate: 7.25% p.a.
  • 5-year fixed rate: 7.75% p.a.
  • Only bank of the three that accepts freelancers
  • Fastest typical approval: 23 days
  • Minimum monthly income: 50,000 pesos

Not sure which bank suits you?

Nook compares offers from 15+ banks for free. See your personalised options.

Compare My Options →

Frequently Asked Questions

Which bank has the lowest housing loan rate — BDO, BPI, or Security Bank?

As of 2026, BDO has the lowest 1-year fixed rate at 6.00% p.a. BPI follows at 6.70% p.a. for a 1-year fixed, though BPI offers a competitive 5-year fixed rate of 6.50% p.a. Security Bank's 1-year fixed is 6.99% p.a. Rates are subject to change, so verify current rates before applying.

Which bank approves housing loans fastest among BDO, BPI, and Security Bank?

Security Bank is the fastest, with a typical approval time of around 23 days. BDO follows at approximately 30 days, and BPI takes the longest at around 52 days. If you have a time-sensitive property purchase or refinance, Security Bank or BDO may be the better fit.

What is the minimum income requirement for BDO, BPI, and Security Bank housing loans?

BPI has the lowest minimum monthly income requirement at 40,000 pesos, making it the most accessible of the three. Both BDO and Security Bank require a minimum monthly income of 50,000 pesos. All three banks apply a maximum debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of 40%.

Can I apply to BDO, BPI, and Security Bank at the same time?

Yes — and it's actually the recommended approach. Applying to multiple banks simultaneously lets you compare actual loan offers, not just advertised rates. Through Nook, you can apply to all three Nook partner banks for free, with no broker fees charged to you as the borrower.

Do all three banks allow housing loan refinancing?

Yes. BDO, BPI, and Security Bank all offer home loan refinancing. If you're currently paying 7% or higher on your existing mortgage, refinancing through Nook could significantly reduce your monthly payments. Nook specializes in refinancing and the service is completely free to borrowers.

Which bank accepts freelancers for a housing loan?

Among the three, only Security Bank explicitly accepts freelancers as eligible borrowers. BDO and BPI accept private employees, government workers, BPO workers, OFW/Seafarers, self-employed individuals, and professionals, but do not list freelancers as an accepted employment type.

Is it better to choose a 1-year fixed or 5-year fixed rate?

It depends on your risk tolerance and financial outlook. A 1-year fixed rate (like BDO's 6.00% p.a.) gives you the lowest initial rate but resets sooner, exposing you to rate changes. A 5-year fixed rate (like BPI's 6.50% p.a.) locks in your rate for longer, giving you more payment certainty. If you plan to refinance again within a few years, a 1-year fixed may make sense; if you want stability, consider the 5-year option.

How much can I save by refinancing from 8% to BDO's 6.00% rate?

On a 3,000,000 peso loan over 20 years, dropping from 8% to 6.00% p.a. reduces your monthly payment from approximately 25,093 pesos to 21,492 pesos — a saving of around 3,601 pesos per month, or over 864,000 pesos across the full loan term. Use Nook's free service to apply and see your actual offer.