⚖️ Bank Comparison

BDO vs BPI

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

BDO and BPI are the two biggest banks in the Philippines — but when it comes to housing loans, their rates, requirements, and approval timelines differ in ways that could save (or cost) you hundreds of thousands of pesos. Here's an honest, data-driven breakdown to help you decide.

Our Verdict

BDO wins on rate; BPI wins on income flexibility — apply to both through Nook for free

BDO's 1-year fixed rate of 6.00% edges out BPI's 6.70%, making it the stronger choice for borrowers who want the lowest possible starting rate. However, BPI's lower minimum monthly income requirement of P40,000 (vs BDO's P50,000) makes it more accessible for mid-income earners. Because Nook lets you apply to multiple partner banks at zero cost, the smartest move is to let both banks compete for your loan.

BPI vs BDO Housing Loan: Quick Comparison Table

The table below summarises the headline figures for both banks as of 2026. Note that interest rates are subject to change — always verify current rates before committing.

FactorBDO UnibankBPI Family Savings Bank
1-Year Fixed Rate6.00%6.70%
5-Year Fixed RateNot published6.50%
Home Equity Rate6.00%6.70%
Min. Monthly IncomeP50,000P40,000
Max DTI Ratio40%40%
Typical Approval Time~30 days~52 days
Nook Partner Bank✅ Yes✅ Yes

Both banks support a wide range of employment types including private employees, government workers, BPO employees, OFWs, self-employed professionals, and seafarers.

Interest Rates: BDO vs BPI Housing Loan

For most borrowers, the interest rate is the single biggest factor in total loan cost — and this is where BDO holds a clear advantage.

BDO's 1-year fixed rate stands at 6.00% p.a., while BPI's equivalent is 6.70% p.a. That 0.70 percentage point difference sounds small, but on a large loan it compounds significantly over time.

What does 0.70% actually mean in peso terms?

Let's take a P3,500,000 loan over 20 years as a realistic example:

Over the full loan tenor, the compounding effect is even more pronounced — particularly when you reprice at each lock-in period. This is one reason why comparing BDO and BPI housing loan interest rates in detail matters so much before you sign any documents.

BPI does offer a 5-year fixed rate of 6.50%, which BDO does not publicly advertise. If you strongly prefer rate certainty over a longer initial period, BPI's 5-year fix could be appealing — though BDO's 6.00% 1-year rate is still lower on a cost basis in the short term.

Rates shown are indicative and subject to change. Confirm current rates with Nook or directly with the bank before applying.

Eligibility & Requirements: Who Can Apply?

Both BDO and BPI share broadly similar eligibility frameworks, but there are a few differences worth noting.

Minimum Monthly Income

BPI requires a minimum monthly income of P40,000, while BDO sets the bar at P50,000. This makes BPI more accessible for borrowers earning in the P40,000–P49,999 range — a meaningful distinction for many Filipino professionals, dual-income households, and OFW families.

Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio

Both banks cap DTI at 40%, meaning your total monthly loan obligations (including the new housing loan) should not exceed 40% of your gross monthly income. If you have existing car loans, personal loans, or credit card balances, these will be factored into your DTI calculation.

Employment Types Accepted

Both banks accommodate the following borrower profiles:

Loan Purposes Supported

Both BDO and BPI support a wide range of loan purposes:

This makes both banks highly versatile — whether you're a first-time buyer, a homeowner looking to refinance, or someone extracting equity for other purposes.

Approval Speed: BDO vs BPI

If you need your loan approved quickly — for example, to meet a developer's deadline or lock in a sale price — approval timeline becomes a critical factor.

BDO's typical approval time is around 30 days, which is notably faster than BPI's typical 52 days. That's a difference of more than three weeks. For buyers in competitive property markets or those refinancing to escape a rate repricing, this speed advantage can be decisive.

Keep in mind that approval timelines depend on how quickly you submit complete documents, the complexity of your application, and each bank's internal queue at the time of application. Working with Nook can help you avoid common document errors that delay approvals at both banks.

Refinancing with BDO vs BPI

If you're an existing homeowner looking to refinance — particularly if you're currently paying 7% to 10% interest — both banks are strong options, but BDO's lower starting rate gives it an edge.

Consider a homeowner with a P4,000,000 outstanding balance currently paying 8.50% interest. Refinancing to BDO at 6.00% could reduce monthly repayments by roughly 6,200 to 7,500 per month depending on remaining term, translating to significant savings over the life of the loan.

For a deeper look at how these two banks compare specifically for refinancing, see our BDO vs BPI home loan refinance rates comparison.

Through Nook, you can apply to both banks simultaneously at no cost, and our team will help you identify which bank is likely to offer you the best rate based on your income, property type, and existing loan details. There are no broker fees — Nook's service is 100% free to borrowers.

Which Bank Is Better for Your Situation?

Choose BDO if:

Choose BPI if:

Apply to both (recommended):

Because Nook is a free mortgage broker service, there's no financial reason to limit yourself to one bank. Applying to both through Nook lets you receive competing offers and choose the best one — without paying any broker fee or risking your credit score from multiple enquiries.

Not sure which bank suits you?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which bank has lower housing loan interest rates — BPI or BDO?

BDO currently offers a lower 1-year fixed rate at 6.00% p.a. compared to BPI's 6.70% p.a. BPI does offer a 5-year fixed rate of 6.50%, which BDO does not publicly advertise. If the lowest possible introductory rate is your priority, BDO has the edge. Rates are subject to change, so verify current figures before applying.

What is the minimum income requirement for a BDO vs BPI housing loan?

BPI requires a minimum monthly gross income of P40,000, while BDO's minimum is P50,000. If your income falls between P40,000 and P49,999, BPI may be your only option between the two banks.

How long does it take to get a BDO or BPI housing loan approved?

BDO typically approves housing loan applications in around 30 days, while BPI's typical approval timeline is around 52 days. Both timelines assume complete and accurate documentation. Working with Nook can help speed up the process by ensuring your application is correctly prepared from the start.

Can OFWs apply for a housing loan with BDO or BPI?

Yes. Both BDO and BPI accept OFW and seafarer applicants for housing loans. Nook can guide OFWs through the specific documentation requirements for each bank, including income verification and property appraisal steps.

Can I apply to both BDO and BPI at the same time?

Yes, and in many cases it's advisable to do so. Applying to multiple banks helps you compare actual loan offers — not just advertised rates — before committing. Through Nook, you can apply to both BDO and BPI simultaneously at no cost, with no broker fee charged to you at any stage.

Is it free to use Nook to apply for a BDO or BPI housing loan?

Yes. Nook's mortgage brokering service is completely free for borrowers. Nook is paid by the banks when a loan is successfully disbursed, so there is no broker fee, application fee, or hidden charge for using Nook to apply to BDO, BPI, or any other partner bank.

Which bank is better for refinancing — BDO or BPI?

For most refinancing scenarios, BDO's lower 1-year fixed rate of 6.00% gives it an advantage in reducing monthly amortisation immediately. However, BPI's lower income threshold may make it the right fit for some borrowers. The best approach is to apply to both through Nook and compare actual loan offers side by side.

What loan purposes do BDO and BPI housing loans cover?

Both banks support a wide range of loan purposes including refinancing, home equity extraction, purchase of RFO units, pre-selling property, new construction, renovation, reselling (secondary market), and foreclosed property purchase. This makes both banks suitable for buyers, builders, and homeowners looking to unlock equity.