BPI vs CIMB Home Loan: Quick Snapshot
CIMB Bank Philippines has grown rapidly as a digital bank, primarily known for its high-yield savings products. While CIMB has explored lending products in the Philippines, its home loan offerings remain limited and are not consistently available through standard broker channels. BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands), by contrast, is one of the country's oldest and most trusted banks with a full-featured home loan product available through Nook as a verified partner bank.
This comparison focuses on what each institution currently offers Filipino homeowners looking to refinance their existing home loan.
| Feature | BPI Home Loan | CIMB Home Loan |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Fixed Rate | 6.70% p.a. | Not consistently available |
| 5-Year Fixed Rate | 6.50% p.a. | Not consistently available |
| Home Equity / Multi-Purpose | 6.70% p.a. | Limited availability |
| Minimum Monthly Income | 40,000 | Varies / not publicly fixed |
| Typical Approval Time | ~52 days | Not standardized |
| Max Debt-to-Income Ratio | 40% | Not disclosed |
| Refinancing Supported | Yes | Not confirmed |
| OFW / Seafarer Eligible | Yes | Limited |
| Available via Nook | Yes (free) | No |
Note: Interest rates and product availability are subject to change. Always verify current rates directly with the bank or through Nook before making a financial decision.
BPI Home Loan Rates in Detail
As a Nook partner bank, BPI's home loan rates are verified and updated regularly. Here's what borrowers can expect:
- 1-Year Fixed Rate: 6.70% p.a. — ideal if you want a short fixed window and plan to refinance again soon
- 5-Year Fixed Rate: 6.50% p.a. — the most popular option, locking in a lower rate for medium-term stability
- Home Equity Rate: 6.70% p.a. — for borrowers who want to unlock equity from an existing property
BPI accepts borrowers across a wide range of employment types: private employees, government workers, BPO employees, OFWs and seafarers, self-employed individuals, and licensed professionals. The minimum qualifying monthly income is 40,000, and the maximum debt-to-income ratio allowed is 40%.
Loan purposes covered by BPI include refinancing, home equity, new construction, pre-selling units, ready-for-occupancy properties, renovation, and reselling—making it one of the most flexible lenders on the market.
Want to see how BPI stacks up against other established banks? Check out our BPI vs Chinabank home loan comparison for another detailed side-by-side breakdown.
CIMB Home Loan: What You Need to Know
CIMB Bank Philippines entered the local market primarily as a digital savings and personal finance platform. Its high-interest savings accounts and easy account opening process made it popular among younger Filipinos. However, CIMB's home loan product in the Philippines is not a standard, widely available offering through broker networks or third-party comparison platforms at this time.
Key considerations when evaluating CIMB for a home loan:
- Limited product availability: CIMB does not currently offer a consistently published, standardized home loan rate sheet in the Philippines.
- No refinancing product confirmed: For homeowners looking to refinance an existing loan, CIMB is not a confirmed option through established channels.
- No broker access: CIMB home loans, where available, are not accessible through Nook's free broker service, meaning you cannot compare their offer alongside other lenders in a single application.
- Digital-first limitations: While CIMB excels in digital deposits, the documentation and appraisal workflows required for home loans typically favor banks with established branch and valuation networks—areas where CIMB is still developing locally.
If you've seen CIMB home loan promotions, it's worth clarifying directly with CIMB whether those products are currently active and what terms apply to your specific property and employment situation.
Monthly Payment Comparison: BPI at 6.50% vs a Typical Existing Rate
To illustrate how much refinancing to BPI through Nook could save you, here's a sample calculation for a 3,000,000 home loan over 20 years:
| Scenario | Rate | Est. Monthly Payment | Total Interest Over 20 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Existing loan (typical) | 8.50% p.a. | ~26,035 | ~3,248,400 |
| BPI via Nook (5-Year Fixed) | 6.50% p.a. | ~22,382 | ~2,371,680 |
| Best Nook rate available | 5.99% p.a. | ~21,559 | ~2,173,920 |
Refinancing a 3,000,000 loan from 8.50% to BPI's 6.50% 5-year fixed rate could save you approximately 3,653 per month—that's over 876,000 in total interest savings over 20 years. Nook's service costs you nothing to access these rates.
Note: Monthly payment estimates are illustrative and based on standard amortization calculations. Actual payments depend on your outstanding balance, remaining term, and bank-assessed terms. Rates are subject to change.
Which Borrower Profile Suits Each Bank?
BPI is a strong fit if you:
- Are refinancing an existing home loan and want a clear, published fixed rate
- Have a monthly income of at least 40,000
- Are a private employee, government worker, OFW, self-employed professional, or BPO worker
- Want a lender with a proven approval track record and nationwide branch support
- Prefer applying through a free broker (Nook) to avoid legwork
CIMB may be worth exploring if you:
- Are already an existing CIMB banking customer and want to inquire about any in-house loan products
- Are open to waiting for CIMB's home loan product to mature and become widely available
- Are primarily comparing digital banks for personal or consumer lending rather than a mortgage
For most refinancing scenarios, BPI's established product, transparent rates, and Nook partnership make it the clear practical choice between these two institutions. You may also want to read our BPI vs Maybank Philippines comparison if you're evaluating other alternative lenders alongside BPI.
Why Apply Through Nook Instead of Going Direct?
Nook is the Philippines' first digital mortgage broker, and our service is 100% free to borrowers. Here's what you get when you apply through Nook instead of walking into a bank branch:
- Access to multiple lenders in one application: Compare BPI alongside other partner banks simultaneously
- Verified rates: The rates you see on Nook are confirmed partner rates, not teaser estimates
- Expert guidance: Our team helps you choose the right fixing period and loan structure for your goals
- Faster processing support: We help you prepare documents correctly the first time, reducing back-and-forth with the bank
- No broker fee, ever: Banks pay Nook directly—you pay nothing extra
The best refinance rate currently available through Nook is 5.99% p.a.—significantly lower than what most Filipino homeowners are currently paying (typically 7%–10%).
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Compare My Options →Frequently Asked Questions
Does CIMB offer home loans in the Philippines?
CIMB Bank Philippines is primarily known for its digital savings products. Its home loan offering in the Philippines is not consistently available through standard broker or comparison platforms, and CIMB does not currently appear as a mainstream refinancing option. If you're interested in CIMB, it's best to contact them directly to check current product availability. For borrowers seeking refinancing, banks like BPI—which offer verified rates through Nook—are typically a more reliable option.
What is BPI's current home loan interest rate?
As verified through Nook's partner bank network, BPI's current home loan rates are: 6.70% p.a. for a 1-year fixed term, 6.50% p.a. for a 5-year fixed term, and 6.70% p.a. for home equity loans. These rates are subject to change, so always confirm the latest rates through Nook or directly with BPI before applying.
How much can I save by refinancing to BPI through Nook?
Savings depend on your current rate and outstanding loan balance. As an example, refinancing a 3,000,000 loan from 8.50% to BPI's 6.50% 5-year fixed rate over 20 years could lower your monthly payment by approximately 3,653 and save over 876,000 in total interest. Use Nook's free mortgage calculator or speak with a Nook advisor to get a personalized estimate.
Is Nook's mortgage broker service really free?
Yes, Nook's service is 100% free to borrowers. Nook earns a referral fee from the bank when your loan is approved—you pay no additional cost on top of the bank's standard fees. You get access to multiple lender rates, expert advice, and application support at no charge.
Can OFWs apply for a BPI home loan through Nook?
Yes. BPI accepts OFW and seafarer applicants for home loans, including refinancing. Through Nook, OFW borrowers can submit their application digitally and receive guidance on the specific documentation requirements for overseas workers. The minimum monthly income requirement is 40,000.
What's the difference between a 1-year and 5-year fixed rate home loan?
A 1-year fixed rate locks your interest rate for one year, after which the bank re-prices your loan based on prevailing market rates. BPI's 1-year fixed rate is 6.70% p.a. A 5-year fixed rate locks your rate for five years, offering more payment stability—BPI's 5-year fixed rate is 6.50% p.a., which is actually lower. Most borrowers refinancing for long-term savings prefer the 5-year fixed option for the combination of rate certainty and a lower starting rate.
What loan purposes does BPI cover?
BPI home loans can be used for a wide range of purposes including refinancing an existing home loan, home equity (cash-out), new construction, pre-selling property purchases, ready-for-occupancy (RFO) units, renovation, and reselling. This makes BPI one of the more flexible lenders available through Nook's platform.