BPI's Minimum Balance Requirements by Account Type
BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) does not charge a monthly maintenance fee on most checking accounts if you maintain a minimum balance. The amount you need to keep in your account depends on which BPI checking product you hold. For the BPI Checking Account, the minimum maintaining balance is ₱10,000. If your balance drops below this at any point during the month, BPI will charge you a monthly maintenance fee of ₱300.
BPI offers several checking account products, and each has its own minimum balance requirement. The BPI Checking Account with ATM Card requires ₱10,000. The BPI Checking Account without ATM Card (also called the Basic Checking Account) requires ₱5,000. If you hold a BPI Checking Account with a Visa Debit Card, the minimum is ₱25,000. These amounts can change, so confirm the current requirement with your branch or through BPI's website before opening an account.
The minimum balance is calculated on a daily basis. This means if your balance falls below the required amount even once during a calendar month, you will be charged the maintenance fee at the end of that month. The fee is deducted directly from your account, which can push your balance even lower if you are already close to the minimum.
Key Takeaways
- BPI's standard checking account requires a ₱10,000 minimum maintaining balance to avoid a ₱300 monthly maintenance fee.
- The basic checking account without an ATM card has a lower minimum of ₱5,000, while accounts with Visa Debit Cards require ₱25,000.
- The minimum balance is checked daily, so even a temporary dip below the requirement triggers the monthly fee.
- You can confirm your account's specific minimum balance requirement by calling BPI customer service or visiting your branch.
How the Maintenance Fee Works
When your account balance falls below the minimum at any point during a calendar month, BPI charges a ₱300 maintenance fee. This fee is posted to your account at the end of the month, usually around the 20th to the 25th, depending on BPI's processing schedule. The fee appears as a debit on your statement and reduces your account balance further.
If you are carrying a low balance intentionally—perhaps because you use the account only for specific transactions—the maintenance fee can add up quickly. Over a year, a single account charged the fee every month costs ₱3,600 in fees alone. This is why many people either maintain the minimum balance or switch to a basic account with a lower requirement if they do not need the extra features.
Accounts That May Not Charge Maintenance Fees
BPI's Basic Checking Account (without ATM card) requires only ₱5,000 and may have different fee structures than the standard checking account. Some employer-linked accounts or accounts opened through specific programs may also have waived maintenance fees if you meet other conditions, such as a direct salary deposit. Ask your employer or the branch where you opened the account whether your account qualifies for a fee waiver.
Student accounts and senior citizen accounts sometimes have reduced or waived maintenance fees as well. If you fall into either category, bring proof of your status (student ID, birth certificate, or senior citizen ID) to your branch and ask whether a lower-fee account is available to you. The requirements and fee structures for these accounts vary, so confirmation from BPI directly is important.
What Counts Toward Your Minimum Balance
Your minimum balance includes all money in your checking account—deposits, transfers, and any interest earned. It does not include pending transactions or money in linked savings accounts. If you have ₱8,000 in your checking account and ₱50,000 in a linked BPI savings account, only the ₱8,000 counts toward your checking account minimum. The two accounts are separate for this purpose.
Pending deposits—money you have deposited but that has not yet cleared—do not count toward your minimum balance until the deposit is fully processed. If you deposit a check on the 28th of the month and it does not clear until the 2nd of the next month, that money will not protect you from a maintenance fee in the current month. Plan your deposits accordingly if you are running close to the minimum.
How to Avoid or Reduce Maintenance Fees
The simplest way to avoid the ₱300 monthly fee is to keep your balance at or above the minimum required for your account type. If you use your checking account regularly for salary deposits or bill payments, maintaining ₱10,000 is often natural—the money flows in and out, but you keep a cushion. If you do not use the account frequently, consider switching to the Basic Checking Account with a ₱5,000 minimum instead.
Another option is to set up a standing instruction with BPI to transfer money from a linked savings account to your checking account if the balance drops below the minimum. This is not automatic at all BPI branches, so ask whether your branch offers this service. Some people also keep their paycheck or regular income deposited directly into the checking account, which makes maintaining the minimum much easier.
If you are charged a maintenance fee by mistake—for example, if your balance was above the minimum but the fee was still posted—contact your branch with your statement and ask for a review. BPI may reverse a single erroneous fee, though this is not may provide. Keeping copies of your monthly statements helps you track whether fees are being charged correctly.
Comparing BPI Checking Accounts and Their Minimums
BPI offers three main checking account types, each with different minimum balance requirements and fee structures. The table below shows how they compare so you can choose the account that fits your banking habits and balance capacity.
| Account Type | Minimum Maintaining Balance | Monthly Maintenance Fee (if below minimum) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPI Checking Account (with ATM Card) | ₱10,000 | ₱300 | Regular users who need ATM access |
| BPI Basic Checking Account (no ATM Card) | ₱5,000 | ₱300 | Infrequent users or those who prefer lower minimums |
| BPI Checking Account (Visa Debit Card) | ₱25,000 | ₱300 | Users who want debit card features and higher balance |
If you are unsure which account type you currently hold, check your account opening documents or call your BPI branch. The account type determines your minimum, so knowing which one you have is the first step to avoiding unexpected fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my balance goes below the minimum for just one day?
You will be charged the ₱300 maintenance fee at the end of the month. BPI checks your balance daily, so even a single day below the minimum triggers the fee. If you know your balance will dip temporarily, try to deposit money before that happens or transfer funds from another account to stay above the minimum.
Can I have the maintenance fee waived if I explain my situation?
BPI may reverse a single fee if you contact your branch and explain the circumstances, but this is not may provide and depends on the branch manager's discretion. Repeated requests for waivers are unlikely to be granted. If you consistently struggle to maintain the minimum, switching to a lower-minimum account is a more reliable solution than asking for fee reversals.
Does interest earned on my checking account count toward the minimum balance?
Yes, any interest credited to your account counts toward your minimum balance. However, BPI checking accounts typically earn very little interest—often less than 0.5% per year. The interest will not significantly help you stay above the minimum, so do not rely on it.
If I close my account, do I get charged a maintenance fee for that month?
This depends on when you close the account and when the fee is posted. If you close your account before the fee is charged (usually around the 20th to 25th of the month), you may avoid the fee. If the fee has already been posted, it will not be refunded. Contact your branch before closing to confirm the timing.
Can I link my checking account to my savings account to protect against going below the minimum?
Some BPI branches offer standing instructions to transfer money automatically if your checking balance drops below the minimum, but this is not available everywhere. Ask your branch whether this service is available and what the process is to set it up. If it is not available, you will need to monitor your balance manually or transfer money yourself when needed.