BDO's minimum balance depends on which savings account you choose

BDO (Banco de Oro) requires different minimum balances for different savings products. The most common account — the BDO Savings Account — requires PHP 2,500 as a minimum opening balance and PHP 2,500 to keep the account active each month. If your balance falls below PHP 2,500, you'll be charged a monthly maintenance fee of PHP 150.

BDO also offers other savings accounts with different minimums. The BDO Kabayan Savings Account (designed for overseas Filipino workers) has a PHP 1,000 minimum opening balance and a PHP 1,000 monthly minimum. The BDO Savings Account for Students requires PHP 1,000 to open and PHP 1,000 to maintain monthly.

The specific account you have determines which minimum applies to you. When you opened your account, you chose a product type — that product type is what sets your requirement. If you're not sure which account you have, your passbook or bank statement will show the account name.

Key Takeaways

  • The standard BDO Savings Account requires a PHP 2,500 minimum balance each month, or you pay a PHP 150 monthly fee.
  • Student and Kabayan accounts have lower minimums of PHP 1,000 each month.
  • The minimum that applies to you depends on which BDO savings product you opened, not on your current balance.
  • Your bank statement or passbook shows your account type, which tells you which minimum balance rule applies.

What happens if you fall below the minimum

If your balance drops below your account's minimum at any point during the month, BDO charges a monthly maintenance fee. For the standard savings account, that fee is PHP 150. This fee is deducted from your account automatically, which can push your balance even lower.

The fee is charged once per month, not every day you're below the minimum. So if you dip below PHP 2,500 on the 5th of the month and stay below until the 28th, you pay PHP 150 once, not multiple times. The charge usually appears on your statement around the end of the month.

If you know you're going to fall short, it's worth depositing enough to reach the minimum before the fee is charged. Even a small deposit can save you the PHP 150 fee. Some people set a phone reminder for the 25th of each month to check their balance and deposit if needed.

How to avoid the monthly fee

The simplest way to avoid the fee is to keep your balance at or above the minimum for your account type. For a standard BDO Savings Account, that means keeping PHP 2,500 or more. This doesn't have to be money you never touch — it just has to be there on the days BDO checks your balance.

If PHP 2,500 is difficult to maintain, you have two options. First, you can switch to a student or Kabayan account if you're may be able to access for one — those require only PHP 1,000 monthly. Second, you can ask BDO about their other products. Some checking accounts or money market accounts have different fee structures, though they may have other requirements.

Another option is to set up a small automatic transfer from another account on the 20th of each month. If you have money elsewhere, moving PHP 2,500 into your BDO account before the fee period closes prevents the charge. You can move it back out after the month ends if you need to.

Minimum balance versus average balance

BDO uses a minimum balance requirement, not an average balance requirement. This means the bank looks at the lowest point your balance reaches during the month, not the average of all your daily balances. If you have PHP 5,000 for most of the month but drop to PHP 1,000 for three days, you'll be charged the fee because you fell below the minimum.

This matters because it means you can't avoid the fee by keeping a high balance most of the time. Even one day below the minimum triggers the charge. Some banks use average balance instead, which would let you dip lower as long as your overall monthly average stayed high — but BDO does not work that way.

Checking your account type and current balance

You can find your account type and current balance through several channels. The easiest is to log into BDO Online Banking or the BDO mobile app — both show your account type and real-time balance. Your most recent bank statement also lists your account type in the header.

If you have a passbook (the paper record some BDO customers still use), the account type is printed on the front cover. You can also visit any BDO branch with your ID and passbook, and a teller will tell you your account type and current balance in seconds.

Once you know your account type, you know which minimum applies. If you're unsure whether you're on the standard account or a student/Kabayan account, the statement or passbook will make it clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my BDO account open if I never use it?

Yes, but you'll pay the monthly maintenance fee every month if your balance stays below the minimum. The account stays open and active, but you'll lose PHP 150 monthly. If you don't plan to use the account, closing it is usually better than paying fees on an inactive balance.

Does the minimum balance earn interest?

BDO savings accounts do earn interest on your full balance, including the portion that meets the minimum requirement. The interest rate varies and changes over time. Your bank statement shows the interest rate your account currently earns.

What if I'm below the minimum for just one day?

You'll be charged the monthly fee. BDO checks whether you meet the minimum at any point during the month — even one day below triggers the charge. The fee is deducted once per month, not daily.

Can I switch to a different BDO savings account to lower my minimum?

Yes. If you're a student, you can move to the Student Savings Account with a PHP 1,000 minimum. If you're an overseas Filipino worker, the Kabayan account has a PHP 1,000 minimum. Visit a BDO branch with your ID to ask about switching. You'll close your current account and open a new one.

Does the minimum balance requirement change?

BDO can change its requirements, but changes are uncommon and usually announced in advance. Your current requirement is based on the account type you opened. If you want to know whether BDO has changed its minimums recently, call BDO customer service or visit a branch — they'll have the current requirements for each account type.