Philippine Personal Loans Compared by APR and Borrower Fit

CIMB has the strongest price signal in this comparison: its annual contractual rate starts at 18%, or 0.83% monthly add-on, and the application runs through the CIMB PH app. The minimum monthly income is ₱15,000, and disbursement has no fee when the proceeds go to a CIMB account. That low starting rate is not universal; risk assessment can push pricing to 36% annually. The 3% early-settlement fee also matters if you expect to clear the balance ahead of schedule. According to the lender's website, this is the first quote I would test for a digitally comfortable applicant with good credit, but not a rate to assume before approval. Best for digital-first borrowers with good credit who want the lowest possible starting rate.

BPI gives CIMB a serious bank-based alternative: its monthly add-on rate starts at 1.20%, with an ACR range of 25.03% to 28.67% and a ceiling of ₱3 million. Existing BPI credit card holders may receive a fast-track route, which can reduce friction even though the supplied data does not promise a particular approval time. The ₱1,500 processing fee and documentary stamp tax on loans above ₱250,000 raise the upfront cost. Compared with CIMB, BPI offers a larger maximum and familiar bank infrastructure, but its best pricing is less aggressive. Best for existing BPI clients seeking up to ₱3 million and willing to pay the stated fees.

BDO is less about the lowest headline rate and more about cost predictability. Its Kabayan Personal Loan lists an ACR range of 25.98% to 26.76%, a relatively narrow spread, and the bank provides an online calculator for amortization estimates. The maximum is ₱2 million, terms run from 6 to 36 months, and the supplied data says there is no prepayment penalty. That combination is cleaner than Metrobank's stated pre-termination charge, although BDO's pricing remains above CIMB's starting rate. Branch and ATM reach may also matter if you prefer in-person support. Best for borrowers who value predictable pricing, a calculator, and a large bank network over the lowest possible APR.

UnionBank undercuts several major-bank competitors on monthly add-on pricing at 1.26% and allows repayment terms up to 60 months. Its supplied ACR is 26.9% for a ₱200,000 loan, while the effective rate including fees reaches 31.98%. That gap is the detail many borrowers miss: a lower monthly add-on rate does not automatically mean the lowest all-in cost. The application is fully digital through UnionBank Online, and the ceiling reaches ₱2 million. Compared with BPI, it offers longer repayment flexibility; compared with CIMB, its published cost is less aggressive. Best for borrowers who need up to five years to manage monthly cash flow and prefer a digital major-bank application.

Metrobank's pricing depends heavily on the repayment period: the monthly add-on rate falls to 1.25% for 24- to 36-month terms but rises to 1.75% for 12- to 18-month terms. The supplied ACR range is 25.98% to 36.74%, so a shorter term is not automatically cheaper once the rate tier is included. Borrowers can access up to ₱2 million without collateral, but the ₱1,500 disbursement fee and ₱850 late-payment fee per incident deserve attention. A stated pre-termination charge of 5% of the outstanding balance or ₱550 also makes early payoff less attractive than BDO's no-prepayment-penalty structure. Best for borrowers who want branch access and can commit to 24- or 36-month repayment.

SB Finance is the accessibility outlier, not the cost leader. It offers up to ₱3 million without collateral or a guarantor, accepts freelancers and self-employed applicants, and lists a low income threshold of ₱12,000 outside Metro Manila. Those features may solve an eligibility problem that CIMB or a major bank cannot. The price is substantial: a 2% flat monthly add-on rate works out to an estimated APR of about 39.43%, plus a ₱5,000 processing fee and a ₱300 notarial fee for loans of ₱100,000 or more. The zuki mobile app makes applying easier, but digital access does not reduce the total cost. Best for freelancers, self-employed borrowers, and OFW beneficiaries who have been screened out elsewhere and can justify the higher price.

EastWest combines a ₱3 million unsecured ceiling with terms up to 60 months, which can matter for a large planned expense. The problem is pricing: its 1.79% monthly add-on rate corresponds to an EIR range of 39.82% to 47.03%, and the 12-month figure is the most expensive published range in this set. The bank requires ₱25,000 gross monthly income, narrowing access compared with SB Finance's stated ₱12,000 threshold outside Metro Manila. Its published EIR is useful because it exposes the cost more clearly than a monthly add-on figure alone. Best for higher-income borrowers needing more than ₱1 million who have compared total repayment against BPI, BDO, and UnionBank first.

PSBank is the smallest-ticket lender here, with borrowing from ₱20,000 to ₱250,000 and only 24- or 36-month terms. Its 1.75% monthly add-on rate translates to an EIR of 41.29% to 42.88% annually, so the Prime Rebate for advance payments is doing important work in the value proposition. A ₱1,500 handling fee or 1% of the credit line reduces the benefit, and the 3% early-settlement fee at CIMB shows why payoff rules deserve a side-by-side check. The choice between a term loan and revolving credit line adds flexibility, but it can also make it easier to carry debt longer. Best for borrowers needing ₱20,000 to ₱250,000 who have a credible plan to pay ahead and will calculate the rebate after fees.