Are you talking about loan top ups? Because I recommend that you simply top it up instead of refinancing if it is with the same bank (OCBC, in this case). Loan top ups will NOT affect the original lock-in period, nor will the bank penalize you based on any lock-in periods. It also doesn't involve lawyers, only stamp duty. The loan top-up will have its own lock-in period, but it will not affect the previous lock in period (it will not shorten or lengthen)

There are 2 types of loan top ups with OCBC:

1. Top up back to your loan original value. For example, you have a loan with OCBC for RM500k, your outstanding today is only 300k. You want to top up back to RM500k, thus giving you RM200k in cash. Valuation may be required. No stamp duty, no lawyers involved.

2. Top up based on the house value. For example, you have a loan with OCBC for RM500k, your house is now worth RM800k, you want to top up up to 90% of the house's value, which is RM720k. Your loan balance is RM300k, so you will get RM420k cash in hand. Valuation and stamp duty required (0.5% of the top up amount above the original loan amount). No lawyers involved.

In short, the top up amount above the original loan amount is RM220k. 0.5% SD is only applied on RM220k. You will get RM420k minus the SD (RM1.1k), as such, RM 418.9k will be credited into your account.
Alliance bank is just as good as any other banks. As a mortgage broker, I discuss options with my clients, depending on their situation, income, commitments, MOF max, LVS inclusion, charged interest rates, type of collateral, etc and offer them the right banks for their needs

Ah, that's where it is!!

I should really make a note there that the explanation on top-up costs and policies above was for OCBC/AlAmin only.

Sorry for the confusion, and to make it up for all of you guys, I will personally call my handlers from all these banks to get clarifications on their top-up policies; and then I will post it up here.