Thinking of applying for an EastWest Bank housing loan in 2026? Whether you're buying a ready-for-occupancy home, refinancing an existing mortgage, or tapping your home equity, knowing exactly what documents and eligibility requirements are needed can save you weeks of back-and-forth. EastWest Bank is a Nook partner bank offering some of the most competitive rates available in the Philippine market — including a 1-year fixed rate starting at 5.99% p.a. — with a typical approval timeline of just 19 days.
This guide covers every requirement you need to prepare: from income and employment criteria to the complete document checklist for salaried employees, self-employed applicants, and OFWs. You can learn more about EastWest Bank's full housing loan offering including loan purposes and term options, or read on below for the detailed requirements breakdown. Applying through Nook is 100% free — we handle the paperwork coordination so you can focus on moving into your new home.
EastWest Bank accepts housing loan applications from a wide range of borrower profiles. To qualify, you generally need to meet the following criteria:
- Age: At least 21 years old at the time of application, and no older than 65 years old upon loan maturity.
- Citizenship: Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines, as well as Filipino dual citizens and some qualified foreign nationals (subject to property ownership restrictions).
- Employment type: EastWest Bank accepts Private Sector Employees, Government Employees, BPO workers, OFWs and Seafarers, Self-Employed individuals, and licensed Professionals.
- Residency: Applicants must have a verifiable residential address and be contactable in the Philippines (OFWs may apply through a designated attorney-in-fact).
If you're unsure whether you qualify, Nook's mortgage advisors can assess your eligibility for free before you submit a single document.
EastWest Bank requires a minimum gross monthly income of 40,000 pesos. This applies to all employment types — salaried, self-employed, and OFW applicants alike.
Your income directly affects how much you can borrow. EastWest Bank uses a maximum Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio of 40%, which means your total monthly loan obligations — including the new housing loan — should not exceed 40% of your gross monthly income. For example, if you earn 60,000 pesos per month, your maximum allowable monthly loan payment would be 24,000 pesos.
For borrowers with multiple income sources (e.g., rental income, spouse's income), these may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Nook can help you structure your application to present your income in the strongest possible way.
If you are a locally employed salaried worker — whether in the private sector, government, or BPO — you will typically need to prepare the following documents:
Personal Documents:
- Duly accomplished loan application form
- Two valid government-issued IDs (e.g., passport, driver's license, SSS/GSIS ID, PhilSys ID)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable) / birth certificate for single applicants
Income Documents:
- Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) — BIR Form 2316 or Form 1700
- Certificate of Employment (COE) with compensation, issued within the last 3 months
- Latest 3 months' payslips
- Latest 3 months' bank statements showing salary credit
Property Documents (required once you have a specific property in mind):
- Photocopy of Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) or Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT)
- Vicinity map and floor plan of the property
- Deed of Absolute Sale or Contract to Sell (for purchase transactions)
- Tax Declaration and latest Real Property Tax (RPT) receipt
Requirements may vary slightly depending on the loan purpose. Nook will provide you with a personalised checklist once you start your application.
Self-employed individuals and business owners are welcome to apply for an EastWest Bank housing loan, but the income documentation requirements differ from salaried employees. In addition to the standard personal and property documents listed above, self-employed applicants typically need to provide:
- Duly accomplished loan application form
- Two valid government-issued IDs
- DTI registration (for sole proprietors) or SEC registration (for corporations/partnerships)
- Business Permit / Mayor's Permit (current year)
- Latest 2 years' audited financial statements (Income Statement and Balance Sheet) with independent CPA stamp
- Latest 2 years' ITR (BIR Form 1701 or 1702) with BIR stamp and proof of payment
- Latest 6 months' bank statements (business and/or personal)
- Articles of Incorporation or Partnership (if applicable)
If your business is relatively new (less than 2 years operating), approval may be more challenging. Speaking with a Nook advisor early can help you determine the best approach and which bank is most likely to approve your profile.
EastWest Bank actively accommodates OFW and seafarer applicants. Because you may be abroad during the application process, you will typically need to designate an Attorney-in-Fact (AIF) — usually a spouse or close family member — to act on your behalf in the Philippines.
Required documents for OFWs and seafarers:
- Duly accomplished loan application form
- Two valid government-issued IDs (passport is required)
- OFW/seafarer employment contract (authenticated or apostilled if executed abroad)
- Latest 3–6 months' proof of remittance or payslips
- Latest 3–6 months' bank statements
- POEA-certified employment contract or OWWA documentation (for land-based OFWs)
- Crew contract and CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate) for seafarers
- Special Power of Attorney (SPA) in favour of the designated Attorney-in-Fact, duly notarised and consularised/apostilled
- Two valid IDs of the Attorney-in-Fact
Property documents follow the same requirements as other loan types. Nook can guide both you and your AIF through the process remotely — making it straightforward even while you're overseas.
The property you intend to purchase, refinance, or use as collateral must meet EastWest Bank's property eligibility standards. Here's what you need to know:
Acceptable property types:
- House and lot (residential)
- Condominium unit
- Townhouse
- Vacant lot (for construction loans)
Eligible loan purposes include: Refinancing, Home Purchase (RFO, Pre-Selling, or Reselling), New Construction, Renovation, Foreclosed property acquisition, and Home Equity (loan against existing property).
Title requirements:
- The property must have a clean Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) or Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT) in the name of the seller or current owner.
- The title must be free from liens, adverse claims, or encumbrances (except for the existing mortgage in refinancing cases).
Appraisal: EastWest Bank will conduct an independent appraisal of the property. The loan amount will be based on a percentage of the appraised value or purchase price, whichever is lower.
Location: The property should generally be located in an area serviceable by EastWest Bank. Metro Manila, key cities, and major provincial areas are typically covered.
EastWest Bank's housing loan can accommodate a wide range of loan amounts. While the bank does not always publish a fixed minimum publicly, loans typically start from around 1,000,000 pesos, with no hard upper ceiling for well-qualified borrowers (subject to appraisal and income).
The maximum loan amount is generally up to 80% of the appraised value of the property (or purchase price, whichever is lower). For refinancing, loan-to-value ratios may vary.
Available loan terms: EastWest Bank offers loan terms typically ranging from 5 to 20 years (some cases up to 25 years), with fixed interest rate periods of 1, 3, 5, or 7 years. After the fixed period, the rate is repriced based on prevailing market rates.
Your DTI ratio of 40% caps your maximum monthly amortisation. For example, on a 40,000-peso monthly income, the maximum monthly amortisation would be 16,000 pesos — which at a 5.99% rate over 20 years supports a loan of roughly 2,200,000 pesos. A Nook advisor can run precise calculations for your specific situation at no cost.
For a detailed breakdown of rate options and term structures, see our guide on EastWest Bank home loan rates, fixed terms, and calculator tools for 2026.
EastWest Bank offers some of the most competitive housing loan rates available through Nook in 2026. Here are the current fixed rates by term:
- 1-Year Fixed: 5.99% p.a.
- 3-Year Fixed: 6.25% p.a.
- 5-Year Fixed: 6.49% p.a.
- 7-Year Fixed: 7.00% p.a.
- Home Equity Loan: 6.25% p.a.
The 1-year fixed rate of 5.99% is currently the lowest refinance rate available through Nook across all partner banks — significantly lower than the 7%–10% that many Filipino homeowners are still paying on their existing loans.
Please note that interest rates are subject to change. Always verify the latest rates directly with EastWest Bank or through Nook before submitting your application. For a deeper look at how these rates compare and what you'll actually pay month-to-month, read our EastWest Bank housing loan interest rate guide.
EastWest Bank has a typical approval timeline of 19 days from the time a complete application is submitted. This is one of the faster turnaround times among Philippine banks for housing loans.
The approval process generally follows these stages:
- Application submission — Submit all required documents (complete submission speeds up the process significantly).
- Document review and credit evaluation — The bank assesses your income, credit history, and DTI ratio.
- Property appraisal — An independent appraiser visits the property (typically takes 3–7 days).
- Credit committee approval — Final review and issuance of Letter of Guarantee (LOG) or Approval.
- Loan documentation and release — Signing of loan documents and disbursement of funds.
Incomplete documents are the most common cause of delays. Applying through Nook helps ensure your submission is complete and correctly prepared from the start, reducing unnecessary back-and-forth with the bank.
Applying through Nook is completely free — Nook is paid by the bank, not by you. Here's how the process works:
- Submit your details online — Fill out Nook's short application form at nook.com.ph. It takes less than 5 minutes.
- Get matched and assessed — A Nook mortgage advisor will review your profile and confirm your eligibility for EastWest Bank's housing loan.
- Receive your personalised document checklist — No guesswork. You'll know exactly which documents to prepare based on your employment type and loan purpose.
- Nook submits your application — We coordinate directly with EastWest Bank on your behalf, chasing updates and resolving document queries so you don't have to.
- Get approved and move forward — Once approved, Nook guides you through the signing and release process.
Whether you're purchasing a new home, refinancing an existing loan to save on interest, or unlocking equity in your property, Nook makes the process faster and less stressful. There is no obligation to proceed after your initial assessment — start your application today and see how much you could save.