The main ways to send money to a BDO Kabayan account

You can send money to a BDO Kabayan savings account through BDO's online banking platform, at a BDO branch in person, through third-party money transfer services, or via bank-to-bank transfers if you have an account at another Philippine bank. The method you choose depends on whether you're sending from within the Philippines, from abroad, how quickly you need the money to arrive, and what information you have about the recipient's account.

Each route has different requirements, costs, and timelines. Some are instant; others take one to three business days. If you're sending from overseas, your options narrow to international money transfer services and remittance centers, which typically charge a fee and take longer than domestic transfers.

Key Takeaways

  • BDO online banking (BDO Online or the BDO mobile app) is the fastest and cheapest way to send money if both you and the recipient have BDO accounts in the Philippines.
  • You need the recipient's full name, account number, and BDO branch code to complete any transfer; confirm these details before you send.
  • Transfers between BDO accounts usually arrive within minutes to a few hours; transfers to other banks take one to three business days.
  • International remittances to a BDO Kabayan account can be sent through Western Union, MoneyGram, or licensed remittance centers, but these charge fees and may take one to five business days.
  • If you don't have a BDO account yourself, you can still send money through a BDO branch, a remittance center, or by asking someone with a BDO account to transfer on your behalf.

Sending money through BDO Online or the BDO mobile app

If you have your own BDO account and access to BDO Online (the bank's website platform) or the BDO mobile app, this is the fastest and cheapest option. Log in with your credentials, navigate to the "Fund Transfer" or "Send Money" section, and select "Transfer to Own Account" if you're sending to another account in your name, or "Transfer to Third Party" if you're sending to someone else's BDO account.

Enter the recipient's full name, account number, and the BDO branch code where their account is held. Double-check these details—a wrong account number will send the money to the wrong person. Enter the amount and confirm. Transfers between BDO accounts usually post within minutes to a few hours, depending on the time of day and whether it's a business day. There is typically no fee for transfers between BDO accounts.

If you're sending to a BDO account at a different bank or to a non-BDO account, the process is similar but the transfer goes through the Philippine national clearing system and takes one to three business days. Some banks charge a small fee for outgoing transfers; check your account terms or call BDO customer service at 1-800-1-BDO-BDO (1-800-1-2362-236) to confirm.

Sending money in person at a BDO branch

Walk into any BDO branch with cash or a debit card and ask to send money to a BDO Kabayan account. Bring the recipient's full name, account number, and BDO branch code. Fill out a fund transfer form (the teller will provide one) and hand over your cash or card for payment. The teller will process the transfer and give you a receipt with a reference number.

Transfers sent in person at a BDO branch to another BDO account usually arrive the same day or within one business day. If you're sending to a non-BDO account, allow one to three business days. There is typically a small fee for in-person transfers—usually 50 to 100 Philippine pesos depending on the amount—though some branches waive fees for smaller transfers. Ask the teller about the fee before you hand over your money.

This method works even if you don't have a BDO account yourself. It's also useful if you're not comfortable with online banking or if you need a paper receipt for your records.

Sending money from abroad through remittance services

If you're sending money from outside the Philippines to a BDO Kabayan account, use a licensed remittance service. The most common are Western Union, MoneyGram, and Bayanihan (a Philippine-based service). These services have physical locations in most countries and can send money directly to a BDO account or to a BDO branch for cash pickup.

To send through Western Union or MoneyGram, go to a local branch, provide the recipient's full name and BDO account number, and pay in your local currency. The service converts the money and sends it to the Philippines. The recipient can then pick up the cash at a BDO branch or, if you've arranged a direct bank deposit, the money will be deposited into their BDO Kabayan account. Direct deposits usually take one to five business days; cash pickups can be claimed within minutes of the transfer being sent, though the recipient must go to a BDO branch during business hours.

Remittance services charge a fee based on the amount sent—typically 2 to 5 percent of the transfer amount, though this varies by service and country. Ask about the fee before you send. The exchange rate used is also set by the service, not by the market rate, so you may lose a small amount to the conversion.

Sending money through bank-to-bank transfers from another Philippine bank

If you have an account at another Philippine bank—such as BPI, Metrobank, Maybank, or RCBC—you can transfer money to a BDO Kabayan account through your own bank's online platform or at a branch. The process is similar to sending through BDO: log in to your bank's app or website, select "Fund Transfer" or "Send Money", and choose "Other Banks" or "Interbank Transfer".

Enter the recipient's full name, BDO account number, and BDO branch code. Confirm the details and submit. The transfer goes through the Philippine national clearing system (PESONet or InstaPay, depending on your bank) and usually arrives within one to three business days. Some banks charge a fee of 25 to 50 pesos for outgoing interbank transfers; check with your bank.

InstaPay transfers, if your bank supports them, are faster—usually within the same day or within a few hours. PESONet transfers are standard and take one to three business days. Ask your bank which system they use and whether there's a difference in fees.

What information you need before you send

Before you initiate any transfer, gather the following details about the recipient's BDO Kabayan account: their full name (as it appears on the account), their account number (usually 10 digits), and their BDO branch code (a three-digit number that identifies which BDO branch holds their account). You can find the branch code on a BDO statement, passbook, or ATM card, or by calling BDO customer service.

Confirm these details with the recipient directly—a typo in the account number or branch code can send the money to the wrong account, and retrieving it can take weeks. If you're unsure, ask the recipient to send you a photo of their BDO ATM card or passbook, or to call BDO and confirm their account number and branch code with you over the phone.

What to do if the transfer doesn't arrive

If you sent the money and it hasn't arrived within the expected timeframe, first check that you entered the correct account number and branch code. If the details were wrong, contact the bank or service you used immediately with your reference number (the receipt should have one). They can attempt to reverse the transfer or redirect it to the correct account, but this process can take several days to weeks.

If the details were correct, the money may still be in transit. Transfers between BDO accounts should arrive within hours; transfers to other banks take one to three business days. If more than three business days have passed, contact your bank or the service you used with your reference number and ask them to trace the transfer. They will contact BDO to confirm whether the money arrived at the recipient's branch. Keep your receipt until the money is confirmed in the recipient's account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send money to a BDO Kabayan account if I don't have a BDO account myself?

Yes. You can send money in person at any BDO branch with cash, or through a remittance service like Western Union or MoneyGram if you're sending from abroad. You can also ask someone with a BDO account to transfer the money on your behalf.

How long does it take for money to arrive in a BDO Kabayan account?

Transfers between BDO accounts usually arrive within minutes to a few hours. Transfers from other Philippine banks take one to three business days. International remittances take one to five business days, depending on the service used.

What happens if I send money to the wrong account number?

Contact your bank or the service you used immediately with your reference number. They can attempt to reverse the transfer, but this process can take several days to weeks. To avoid this, always confirm the recipient's account number and branch code directly with them before you send.

Are there fees for sending money to a BDO Kabayan account?

Transfers between BDO accounts usually have no fee. Transfers to other banks or from other banks to BDO typically charge 25 to 100 pesos, depending on the bank and amount. International remittances charge 2 to 5 percent of the transfer amount. Ask your bank or service about fees before you send.

Can I send money to a BDO Kabayan account from outside the Philippines?

Yes, through Western Union, MoneyGram, Bayanihan, or other licensed remittance services. These services have locations in most countries and can deposit the money directly into a BDO account or allow the recipient to pick it up in cash at a BDO branch.