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Debit Cards · 2026

Best debit cards for students & first-timers

Simple, low-fee debit cards that work as a first wallet. Opened with one ID, usable online and at ATMs.

SBC
Reviewed by the
ShopByCards Editorial
Last updated June 2026
8 min read

How we chose & scored

Every account is scored out of 10 across five factors. We weight what matters most to everyday Filipinos: keeping the account free, and easy access from your phone.

Maintaining balance · 30% Fees · 25% Interest · 20% Ease of opening · 15% Access · 10%

The best picks, reviewed

#1
BDO Basic savings
4111 •••• •••• 0042
Basic Deposit Account
BDO

Basic Deposit Account

Basic savings · Open via BDO Pay app or any BDO branch
8.3 / 10

A no-frills, BSP-mandated account designed for the unbanked. Now also available in-app as the "BDO Pay Basic Account".

Maintaining
₱0
Initial deposit
₱0
Interest p.a.
0.0625% p.a.
Fees
₱0
Pros
No maintaining balance
₱0 to open (in-branch or in-app)
Largest branch & ATM network
Cons
Balance capped at ₱100,000 (BSP rule)
Modest interest
Check requirements Read full review
#2
Metrobank Digital savings
4108 •••• •••• 9912
eSavings Account
Metrobank

eSavings Account

Digital savings · Open via Metrobank app
8.4 / 10

Open in minutes in the Metrobank app and get a debit card. A comfortable first digital account from a top universal bank.

Maintaining
₱0
Initial deposit
₱0
Interest p.a.
0.0625% p.a.
Fees
₱0
Pros
No maintaining balance
Trusted, established bank
Debit card for ATM & online use
Cons
Very low interest
Debit card has a one-time fee
Check requirements Read full review
#3
RCBC Debit + savings
5366 •••• •••• 8902
OneAccount iSave
RCBC

OneAccount iSave

Debit + savings · Open via RCBC app / branch
8.4 / 10

One account that works as both your everyday debit card and your savings. ₱0 initial deposit, tiered interest from 0.15% p.a.

Maintaining
₱0
Initial deposit
₱0
Interest p.a.
0.15%–0.20% p.a. (tiered)
Fees
₱0
Pros
Spend and save from a single account
Free debit Mastercard included
₱0 maintaining balance, ₱0 initial deposit
Cons
Earn interest only above ₱5,000 ADB
Tiered rates are modest (0.15%–0.20% p.a.)
Check requirements Read full review
#4
UnionBank Digital savings
4042 •••• •••• 3128
UnionBank Online Savings
UnionBank

UnionBank Online Savings

Digital savings · Open via UnionBank Online app
8.6 / 10

A no-maintaining-balance digital savings account from UnionBank, opened in-app in a few minutes. Replaces the older "EON Online Savings" branding.

Maintaining
₱0
Initial deposit
₱0
Interest p.a.
Re-verify before launch
Fees
₱0
Pros
No maintaining balance
Backed by a universal bank
Easy InstaPay / PESONet transfers
Cons
Interest rate lower than pure digital banks (Maya, CIMB)
EON Prepaid Visa is no longer available
Check requirements Read full review

Side-by-side comparison

Account Maintaining Initial Interest Open via Score
Basic Deposit Account
BDO
 ₱0 ₱0 0.0625% p.a. BDO Pay app or any BDO branch 8.3 / 10
eSavings Account
Metrobank
 ₱0 ₱0 0.0625% p.a. Metrobank app 8.4 / 10
OneAccount iSave
RCBC
 ₱0 ₱0 0.15%–0.20% p.a. (tiered) RCBC app / branch 8.4 / 10
UnionBank Online Savings
UnionBank
 ₱0 ₱0 Re-verify before launch UnionBank Online app 8.6 / 10
Basic Deposit Account
BDO
8.3 / 10
Maintaining
₱0
Initial
₱0
Interest
0.0625% p.a.
Open via
BDO Pay app or any BDO branch
eSavings Account
Metrobank
8.4 / 10
Maintaining
₱0
Initial
₱0
Interest
0.0625% p.a.
Open via
Metrobank app
OneAccount iSave
RCBC
8.4 / 10
Maintaining
₱0
Initial
₱0
Interest
0.15%–0.20% p.a. (tiered)
Open via
RCBC app / branch
UnionBank Online Savings
UnionBank
8.6 / 10
Maintaining
₱0
Initial
₱0
Interest
Re-verify before launch
Open via
UnionBank Online app

Methodology & disclosure

Figures shown are for illustration and were last verified in June 2026; banks change fees, interest rates and requirements without notice, so always confirm with the provider before opening. We independently research every account using public rate sheets and the providers’ own apps. No bank pays for placement, and referral fees never change a product’s score or position. All providers featured are supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and deposits are insured by the PDIC up to ₱500,000 per depositor. This article is general information, not personalised financial advice.