⚖️ Bank Comparison

BDO vs BPI

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

Security Bank, BDO, and BPI all offer competitive housing loans in 2026 — but they differ significantly on interest rates, approval speed, and income requirements. Here's an honest side-by-side breakdown to help you decide which bank is the right fit for your refinancing goals.

Our Verdict

BDO Offers the Lowest Rate, Security Bank Is the Fastest, and BPI Has the Most Flexible Income Threshold

For most borrowers focused on minimizing monthly payments, BDO's 6.00% 1-year fixed rate is the strongest starting point among the three. If speed matters most and you need approval within the month, Security Bank's 23-day typical turnaround is unmatched. BPI is the best option for borrowers with lower monthly income (from P40,000), offering a solid 5-year fixed rate at 6.50% for those who want medium-term payment certainty. Since Nook is a free mortgage broker partnered with all three banks, you can apply to all of them at once and let the offers speak for themselves.

Security Bank vs BDO vs BPI Housing Loan: Side-by-Side Rate Comparison

Below is a direct comparison of the housing loan rates offered by all three Nook partner banks as of 2026. Note that interest rates are subject to change — always verify the latest rates with your bank or through Nook before making a decision.

FeatureBDO UnibankBPI Family Savings BankSecurity Bank
1-Year Fixed Rate6.00%6.70%6.99%
3-Year Fixed RateN/AN/A7.25%
5-Year Fixed RateN/A6.50%7.75%
Home Equity Rate6.00%6.70%7.50%
Min Monthly IncomeP50,000P40,000P50,000
Max DTI Ratio40%40%40%
Typical Approval Time30 days52 days23 days

All three banks accept a wide range of employment types including private employees, government workers, BPO employees, OFWs, seafarers, self-employed individuals, and professionals. Security Bank additionally accepts freelancers.

How Much Can You Save by Refinancing?

If you're currently paying a rate of 8% or higher, refinancing through any of these three banks could result in meaningful monthly savings. Here's a concrete illustration using a P4,000,000 loan balance over 20 years:

ScenarioRateEst. Monthly Paymentvs. 8% Rate
Current loan at 8.00%8.00%~33,458
Refinance with BDO6.00%~28,659Save ~4,799/mo
Refinance with BPI (5-yr fixed)6.50%~29,797Save ~3,661/mo
Refinance with Security Bank6.99%~30,929Save ~2,529/mo

Over 5 years, refinancing to BDO's 6.00% rate from 8.00% could save you approximately 287,940 in interest payments alone on a P4,000,000 loan. Even refinancing to Security Bank's 6.99% would save you over 151,740 in the same period. These figures are estimates for illustration purposes — actual savings depend on your outstanding balance, remaining term, and the bank's final approved rate.

If you want to see a personalized calculation based on your actual loan, explore the best home loan rates in the Philippines for 2026 and use Nook's free comparison tool.

BDO Housing Loan: Best for the Lowest Short-Term Rate

BDO Unibank offers the most competitive 1-year fixed rate of the three banks at 6.00% p.a., which is also the same rate applied to home equity loans. This makes BDO an excellent choice for borrowers who plan to reprice after the fixed period and want to minimize their initial monthly obligations as much as possible.

BDO is a strong first-choice for most refinancing borrowers — especially those who want the lowest possible opening rate and plan to reassess their loan every year or two as market rates evolve.

BPI Family Savings Bank: Best for Longer Fixed-Rate Certainty

BPI Family Savings Bank stands out with the most accessible income requirement (P40,000/month) and the best 5-year fixed rate among the three at 6.50% p.a. This makes BPI particularly attractive for borrowers who earn slightly less or those who prioritize rate stability over a medium-term horizon.

BPI's 52-day typical approval time is the longest of the three, so it's best suited for borrowers who aren't in a rush and want the peace of mind of a locked-in rate for five years. If you're choosing between BPI's 1-year and 5-year products, the 5-year fixed at 6.50% is actually lower than the 1-year at 6.70% — an unusual and advantageous structure worth noting.

Security Bank: Best for Fast Approvals and Multiple Fixed-Rate Options

Security Bank delivers the fastest approval of the three banks at just 23 days on average — making it the clear winner if you need to close quickly. It also offers the widest range of fixed-rate periods (1, 3, and 5 years), giving borrowers more flexibility to choose a term that fits their financial planning horizon.

Security Bank's rates are higher than both BDO and BPI across all fixed periods, but the speed advantage is real and significant. For borrowers who are time-sensitive — perhaps trying to beat a loan expiry deadline or a property transaction timeline — Security Bank's 23-day turnaround could be a decisive factor. Security Bank is also the only bank among the three that explicitly accepts freelancers, making it an important option for gig economy workers and independent contractors.

For a deeper look at how Security Bank compares to the other two across more criteria, see our detailed guide on Security Bank home loan rates vs BDO and BPI in 2026.

Which Bank Should You Choose? Matching Your Profile to the Right Lender

Choose BDO if…

  • You want the lowest possible 1-year fixed rate (6.00%)
  • You earn at least P50,000/month
  • You're refinancing or doing a home equity loan
  • You're comfortable repricing annually

Choose BPI if…

  • You earn between P40,000 and P49,999/month
  • You want a 5-year locked rate at 6.50%
  • You're not in a rush (52-day approval)
  • You want medium-term payment predictability

Choose Security Bank if…

  • You need fast approval (23 days)
  • You're a freelancer not accepted by other banks
  • You want a 3-year fixed-rate option
  • Speed and variety of rate terms matter more than lowest rate

Of course, the smartest move is to apply to all three simultaneously — which is exactly what Nook makes possible, for free. Rather than guessing which bank will give you the best deal, let each bank make you an offer and compare. There are no application fees and no obligation to accept any offer.

For a broader look at how these banks stack up against other lenders in the market, our 2026 Philippines home loan bank options guide covers BDO, BPI, Metrobank, RCBC, Security Bank, and more in one place.

Why Apply Through Nook Instead of Going Directly to the Bank?

Whether you ultimately choose BDO, BPI, or Security Bank, applying through Nook means you don't have to choose blindly. You'll see real offers from real banks before you commit to anything.

Not sure which bank suits you?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which bank has the lowest housing loan rate among Security Bank, BDO, and BPI?

As of 2026, BDO has the lowest 1-year fixed rate at 6.00% p.a. BPI offers the best 5-year fixed rate at 6.50% p.a. Security Bank's rates start at 6.99% for a 1-year fixed term. Rates are subject to change, so always verify the latest figures before applying.

Which bank approves housing loans the fastest?

Security Bank has the fastest typical approval time at around 23 days. BDO typically takes about 30 days, while BPI takes approximately 52 days. If speed is critical to your situation, Security Bank is the strongest option of the three.

What is the minimum monthly income required to apply for a housing loan at these banks?

BPI Family Savings Bank has the lowest minimum monthly income requirement at P40,000. Both BDO and Security Bank require a minimum monthly income of P50,000. If you earn between P40,000 and P49,999, BPI may be your only option among these three banks.

Can freelancers apply for a housing loan at BDO, BPI, or Security Bank?

Among the three banks, Security Bank is the only one that explicitly lists freelancers as an accepted employment type. BDO and BPI accept self-employed individuals and professionals, but freelancers may face more scrutiny. If you work as a freelancer, Security Bank is likely your most straightforward option of the three.

Is it better to get a 1-year fixed or 5-year fixed housing loan rate?

It depends on your risk tolerance and market expectations. A 1-year fixed rate like BDO's 6.00% gives you the lowest initial payment but exposes you to repricing every year. A 5-year fixed rate like BPI's 6.50% locks in your payment for five years, offering more certainty — and in BPI's case, the 5-year rate is actually lower than its 1-year rate, making it an unusually strong deal. Consider how long you plan to hold the property and whether you can absorb potential rate increases before deciding.

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

Yes — and this is actually the recommended approach. Applying to multiple banks simultaneously lets you compare real offers before committing. Through Nook, you can submit one application and have it routed to all three partner banks at no cost. There is no obligation to accept any offer, and applying to multiple banks does not negatively impact your credit standing.

Does Nook charge a fee to help me compare these banks?

No. Nook's mortgage brokerage service is completely free for borrowers. Nook is compensated by the banks, not by you. You can compare offers from BDO, BPI, Security Bank, and other partner banks, receive expert advice, and proceed with your preferred lender — all at zero cost to you.

What loan purposes do BDO, BPI, and Security Bank support?

All three banks support a broad range of loan purposes including refinancing, home equity, new construction, pre-selling, ready-for-occupancy (RFO) properties, renovation, reselling, and foreclosed properties. This makes all three suitable for most standard housing loan needs in the Philippines.