⚖️ Bank Comparison

UnionBank vs BDO

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

UnionBank, BDO, and BPI all offer home loans in the Philippines — but their interest rates, income requirements, and approval timelines differ significantly. Here's a detailed side-by-side breakdown so you can choose the bank that saves you the most in 2026.

Our Verdict

BDO Offers the Lowest Rate, But BPI's Flexible Terms and UnionBank's Low Income Threshold Make This a Three-Way Trade-Off

BDO edges out the competition with a 6.00% 1-year fixed rate and broad loan purpose coverage, making it the strongest choice for most refinancing borrowers. BPI is a close second at 6.70% with a lower minimum income requirement of P40,000 and a competitive 5-year fixed option at 6.50% for those who want rate certainty. UnionBank stands out for borrowers earning as little as P30,000 monthly and those with higher debt loads thanks to its 50% DTI ceiling — but its 7.00% rate means you'll pay more over time. Apply through Nook for free and let our brokers find your best match across all three banks.

UnionBank vs BDO vs BPI: 2026 Housing Loan Rate Comparison at a Glance

All three banks are Nook partner banks, meaning you can apply to any or all of them through Nook at zero cost to you. Here's how their headline rates and key terms compare:

FeatureUnionBankBDO UnibankBPI Family Savings Bank
1-Year Fixed Rate7.00%6.00%6.70%
5-Year Fixed RateN/AN/A6.50%
Home Equity Rate7.00%6.00%6.70%
Min. Monthly IncomeP30,000P50,000P40,000
Max DTI Ratio50%40%40%
Typical Approval TimeN/A30 days52 days
Refinancing SupportedNoYesYes
OFW/Seafarer EligibleYesYesYes
Self-Employed EligibleYesYesYes

*Interest rates are subject to change. Please verify current rates with the bank or through Nook before applying.

Monthly Payment Comparison: How Much Do You Actually Pay?

To make the rate differences concrete, here are estimated monthly payments on a P3,000,000 home loan over 20 years at each bank's 1-year fixed rate. (Note: these are illustrative figures using the fixed rate as a proxy for the full amortization period — actual payments will vary as rates reprice.)

BankRateEst. Monthly PaymentTotal Interest Paid (20 yrs)
BDO Unibank6.00%21,4912,157,840
BPI Family Savings Bank6.70%22,7152,451,600
UnionBank7.00%23,2592,582,160

On a P3,000,000 loan, choosing BDO over UnionBank saves approximately 1,768 per month — or roughly 424,320 over 20 years. That's real money that stays in your pocket. If you're currently paying 8% or more at another bank, refinancing to even UnionBank's 7.00% could still represent meaningful savings. See how BDO and BPI compare head-to-head on housing loan terms if you've already narrowed it down to those two.

*Monthly payments are estimates based on a standard amortization formula. Actual payments depend on your final approved rate, loan amount, term, and bank fees.

Who Qualifies? Eligibility Compared Side by Side

Eligibility requirements can be just as important as the rate itself — especially if your income, employment type, or existing debt levels put you near the edge of approval.

UnionBank Home Loan Eligibility

BDO Unibank Home Loan Eligibility

BPI Family Savings Bank Home Loan Eligibility

If you're an OFW or seafarer, all three banks accept your application — a major advantage of applying through Nook, which is experienced in handling OFW documentation requirements.

Refinancing: Which Banks Can You Switch To?

If your goal is to refinance an existing home loan to get a lower rate, this is a critical distinction: BDO and BPI both support refinancing, while UnionBank's current product lineup through Nook does not include refinancing.

Most Filipino homeowners refinancing in 2026 are coming from rates of 7% to 10% at their current bank. Refinancing to BDO's 6.00% or BPI's 6.70% can dramatically reduce monthly payments and total interest cost. Even refinancing to BPI at 6.70% from a 9% loan on P3,000,000 saves you more than 4,000 per month.

BPI also offers a 5-year fixed rate of 6.50% — an option not available at BDO or UnionBank — which can be attractive for borrowers who want rate stability beyond the standard 1-year repricing period. Explore a deeper comparison of BPI and UnionBank refinancing options if rate lock-in period is your primary concern.

Applying through Nook means our brokers will assess your current loan, income, and property details and recommend whether BDO or BPI is the better refinancing destination for your specific situation — all at no charge to you.

Home Equity Loans: Unlocking Your Property's Value

All three banks offer home equity loan products, allowing you to borrow against the appreciated value of your property for renovations, education, or other major expenses.

BankHome Equity Rate
BDO Unibank6.00%
BPI Family Savings Bank6.70%
UnionBank7.00%

BDO once again leads with the lowest home equity rate at 6.00%. However, if you currently have your home loan with BPI or UnionBank, staying within the same bank for a home equity loan can sometimes simplify documentation and processing. Your Nook broker can help you evaluate whether switching banks for home equity is worth it in your case.

Which Bank Is Best for Each Type of Borrower?

Not sure which fits your situation? Nook's mortgage brokers compare all three banks against your profile simultaneously and recommend the best fit — completely free of charge.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is UnionBank's current housing loan interest rate in 2026?

UnionBank's current 1-year fixed housing loan rate is 7.00% per annum, which also applies to their home equity loan product. This is the highest of the three banks compared on this page. Note that interest rates are subject to change — always verify the latest rate with UnionBank directly or through Nook before applying.

Does UnionBank offer home loan refinancing?

UnionBank currently does not offer home loan refinancing through Nook's platform. If refinancing is your primary goal, BDO (6.00%) and BPI (6.70%) are both strong options that support refinancing and are available through Nook at no cost to you.

How does BDO's housing loan rate compare to UnionBank and BPI?

BDO offers the lowest 1-year fixed rate among the three at 6.00% p.a. BPI sits in the middle at 6.70%, while UnionBank is highest at 7.00%. On a P3,000,000 loan over 20 years, BDO's rate results in estimated monthly payments of about 21,491 versus 23,259 at UnionBank — a difference of roughly 1,768 per month.

What is the minimum monthly income required for each bank's home loan?

UnionBank has the lowest minimum monthly income requirement at P30,000. BPI requires at least P40,000 per month, and BDO requires a minimum of P50,000. If your income is between P30,000 and P50,000, UnionBank or BPI may be more accessible options for you.

Which bank has the fastest home loan approval — BDO, BPI, or UnionBank?

BDO has the fastest typical approval time at approximately 30 days. BPI typically takes around 52 days. Typical approval timelines for UnionBank through Nook are not published, but your Nook broker can give you an updated estimate based on current processing times.

Can OFWs and seafarers apply for a home loan through BDO, BPI, or UnionBank?

Yes — all three banks accept OFW and seafarer applications. Nook is experienced in handling OFW home loan applications and can assist with documentation requirements for all three banks simultaneously, all at no charge to the borrower.

Does BPI offer a fixed rate for longer than 1 year?

Yes. BPI Family Savings Bank offers a 5-year fixed rate of 6.50% p.a. — the only bank among the three to offer a multi-year fixed option. This can be a smart choice for borrowers who want protection from interest rate increases over a longer period. BDO and UnionBank currently offer only 1-year fixed rate options.

Is it free to apply for a home loan through Nook?

Yes, Nook's mortgage brokering service is 100% free for borrowers. Nook is compensated by the banks, not by you. You can apply to multiple banks — including BDO, BPI, and UnionBank — through a single Nook application and receive professional guidance on which bank best fits your income, loan amount, and goals.

What is the maximum debt-to-income ratio allowed by each bank?

BDO and BPI both cap the debt-to-income (DTI) ratio at 40%, meaning your total monthly loan payments — including the new home loan — should not exceed 40% of your gross monthly income. UnionBank is more flexible, allowing up to 50% DTI. This makes UnionBank a useful option if you already carry significant existing loan obligations.