BDO's savings account rates change based on account type and balance

BDO (Banco de Oro), the Philippines' largest bank by assets, offers different interest rates depending on which savings product you choose and how much money you keep in the account. There is no single "BDO savings rate"—the bank structures its offerings so that higher balances and specialized accounts earn more.

The rates themselves are not fixed permanently. BDO adjusts them in response to changes in the central bank's policy rate and market conditions. This means the rate you see today may not be the rate you earn six months from now. The bank publishes current rates on its website and at branches, but you need to check directly because rates vary by product and change regularly.

Key Takeaways

  • BDO offers multiple savings products—regular savings, high-yield savings, and special accounts—each with its own interest rate structure.
  • Interest rates depend on your account balance tier; higher balances typically earn higher rates within the same product.
  • BDO's rates move when the central bank changes its policy rate, so your earnings can shift without you making any changes.
  • You can find current rates on BDO's official website, by calling their hotline, or by visiting a branch in person.
  • Interest is usually credited monthly, though the exact schedule depends on your account type and the bank's processing calendar.

How BDO structures savings account rates by product type

BDO's main savings products are the Regular Savings Account, the High-Yield Savings Account (sometimes called a Money Market Savings Account), and specialized accounts like the BDO Senior Citizen Savings Account. Each product has its own rate schedule, and rates within each product increase as your balance grows.

The Regular Savings Account typically carries the lowest rates because it has minimal balance requirements and maximum flexibility. The High-Yield Savings Account requires a higher opening balance—often 50,000 pesos or more—and pays noticeably more interest. Specialized accounts (for senior citizens, students, or other groups) may have different rate structures tied to their specific terms.

BDO also offers time deposit products like Certificates of Deposit (CDs), which lock your money for a fixed period and pay higher rates than savings accounts. If you are comparing what BDO pays, make sure you are looking at the right product category, because a CD rate will not explore to a regular savings account.

Balance tiers and how they affect your rate

Within each savings product, BDO uses a tiered system: the more money you maintain in the account, the higher the interest rate you earn on the entire balance. For example, a Regular Savings Account might pay 0.25% annually on balances under 100,000 pesos, but 0.50% on balances of 100,000 to 500,000 pesos, and 0.75% on balances above 500,000 pesos.

The exact thresholds and rates for each tier change over time and may differ slightly between branches or account opening channels (online versus in-person). This is why checking BDO's current rate card is essential before you open an account or move money between accounts. A balance that earned you one rate last quarter may earn a different rate this quarter if the bank has adjusted its schedule.

Some accounts also have minimum balance requirements to earn any interest at all. If your balance falls below that threshold, you may earn zero interest that month, even if you had may have access to for a higher tier the month before. Read the account terms carefully to understand what happens if your balance fluctuates.

When and how BDO credits interest to your account

BDO typically credits interest monthly, on a date specified in your account agreement. The interest is calculated daily based on your average daily balance during the month, then deposited into your account on the crediting date. This means you do not have to wait until the end of the year to see your earnings—you can watch interest accumulate month to month.

The exact crediting schedule can vary by account type and whether you opened the account online or in a branch. Some accounts credit on the last business day of the month; others credit on a fixed date like the 15th. Check your account statement or the terms and conditions to confirm when your interest posts.

Interest earned in a BDO savings account is subject to the Expanded Withholding Tax (EWT) on interest income, which is currently 20% for resident individuals. This means if your account earns 1,000 pesos in interest, BDO will withhold 200 pesos for taxes before crediting the remaining 800 pesos to your account. The withheld amount is remitted to the Bureau of Internal Revenue on your behalf.

How central bank policy changes affect BDO's rates

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the country's central bank, sets a policy rate that influences how much banks pay on deposits and charge on loans. When the BSP raises its rate, banks like BDO typically raise savings account rates to attract deposits. When the BSP cuts its rate, banks usually lower savings rates as well.

BDO does not move its rates automatically on the day the BSP announces a change. There is usually a lag of days or weeks before the bank updates its rate cards and communicates the change to customers. During that lag, your rate remains the same even though the policy environment has shifted.

If you are trying to predict whether BDO's rates will go up or down, watch the BSP's monetary policy decisions and statements. The central bank typically meets every six weeks to decide on the policy rate. You can find these announcements on the BSP's official website.

Where to find BDO's current savings account rates

The most reliable source for BDO's current rates is the bank's official website (bdo.com.ph). The site has a rates and fees section that lists all savings products, their interest rates by balance tier, and any recent changes. Rates are usually updated within a day or two of any change.

You can also call BDO's customer service hotline (the number is on your card or the website) and ask a representative for the current rate on a specific product. Representatives can also tell you whether a rate change is coming soon, though they cannot may provide future rates.

Visiting a BDO branch in person is another option. Staff can show you the current rate card, explain the tier structure, and help you understand which product makes sense for your situation. If you are opening a new account, the branch can also lock in the rate that applies on your opening date.

Comparing BDO rates to other banks

BDO is one of the largest banks in the Philippines, but it is not always the highest-paying option for savings. Smaller banks and digital banks sometimes offer higher rates on savings accounts, especially on high-yield or money market products. If you are looking to maximize interest earnings, compare BDO's rates to those of competitors like Metrobank, Security Bank, or digital banks like ING or Tonik.

Keep in mind that higher rates often come with trade-offs: higher minimum balance requirements, fewer branch locations, or fewer features. BDO's advantage is its branch network and brand recognition, which may be worth more to you than an extra 0.25% in interest. The right choice depends on your priorities and how much money you are depositing.

Also consider that rates change frequently across all banks. A comparison that is true today may not be true next month. If you are serious about finding the best rate, check multiple banks' websites on the same day, then revisit the comparison quarterly to see if the landscape has shifted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I lock in BDO's current savings rate so it does not go down?

No. Savings account rates are variable, meaning BDO can lower them at any time without your permission. If you want a may provide rate, you would need to open a time deposit (CD) instead, which locks in a fixed rate for a set period. Once the CD matures, you would have to renew it at whatever rate BDO is offering at that time.

Does BDO pay interest on money I just deposited, or does it start the next month?

Interest is calculated on your average daily balance during the month, so money you deposit partway through the month will earn interest for the days it sits in the account. The interest is credited at the end of the month, not when ready. If you deposit money on the 15th, you will see interest on that deposit in the next month's statement.

What happens to my interest if I withdraw money before the month ends?

Interest is still calculated on your average daily balance for the entire month, even if you withdraw before the crediting date. If you had 100,000 pesos for 15 days and 50,000 pesos for 15 days, your average daily balance would be 75,000 pesos, and interest would be calculated on that amount. Withdrawals do not forfeit interest the way they do in some time deposit products.

Is the interest rate the same if I open a BDO account online versus in a branch?

The interest rate itself is the same, but online and branch accounts may have different minimum balance requirements or account features. Check the terms for the specific channel you are using. Some online-only products may have higher rates or lower minimums than their branch equivalents.

How do I know if BDO has changed its rates?

BDO publishes rate changes on its website and sends notifications to customers via email or SMS if you have opted in. You can also check your monthly statement, which shows the rate applied to your account that month. If the rate differs from the previous month, the bank has made a change.