Hey Sifus, Si-Jies,
I have an issue with Ambank Islamic term home loan.
I am buying a house, and i opted for islamic flexi loan.
However Ambank told me they no longer have a flexi loan, but their term loan is Semi-flexi.
Over the phone, the bank office has told me that if i make additional payments into the account, the interest will be reduced (calculated daily).
However all this is just verbal promise. All my reading and research online says that Term loan does not reduce interest if additional payments are made.
The officer said that if i wish to reduce the principal, i will need to write a letter, and deposit rm5000 at a time. This money cannot be withdraw. And it will be shown as reduction in principal on the statement.
However he also said that if i just bank in additional money every month, maybe few hundred each month, he says it will reduce the interest, the same as if i deposit a large amount. But will not show on the statement.
So when i asked him what is the difference he says "some people like to see the principal amount reduced in their statement."
I have signed a loan offer, but waiting on loan agreement documents.
Is it true that nowadays "term loan" from ambank is so called semi-flexi? Or are these guys just telling me what i want to hear.
Sees what what you've signed up is a Semi-flexi, so whatever extra money you put in will just reduce the principal and you cannot make any withdrawal.
It's different with full flexi loan where you can dump in the money for the extra to cut off the interest while you can choose to withdraw anytime.
If you need a flexi loan I can help you to apply for it.