BPI, DMCI Homes Make Overseas Property Payments Easier
The country’s real estate market has long relied on overseas Filipino buyers, particularly those based in the United States, where Filipino communities have deep roots and strong purchasing power.
Still, despite their interest in investing back home, US‑based buyers have historically faced friction in paying for Philippine properties.
Traditional remittance channels, wire transfers, and manual bank processes often introduce delays, high fees, and reconciliation challenges. Pain points have persisted for years, slowing down transactions and complicating the homeownership experience for Filipinos abroad.
BPI-DMCI Partnership for US-Based Home Payments
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and DMCI Homes have launched a payment solution enabling US‑based buyers to settle their amortizations through their American bank accounts, simplifying overseas payments and improving the developer’s collection processes.
Through BPI’s Overseas Collection Arrangement (OCA), US‑based buyers can now pay their property amortizations directly from their US-based bank accounts, eliminating the need for wire transfers and manual payment coordination.
The system integrates digital enrollment, automated debiting, and real‑time settlement, allowing buyers to avoid traditional remittance channels.
DMCI Homes is the first property developer to adopt BPI’s OCA, which allows Philippine businesses to collect payments from customers abroad while simplifying monitoring and processing.
Buyers receive a payment link after signing their contract and amortization schedule, enabling them to enroll their US bank accounts and authorize automatic debits.
DMCI Homes’ official release emphasizes that transactions are settled in real time, addressing concerns over unpredictable transfer timelines and foreign exchange processing delays.
OCA system also provides collection and settlement reports that allow DMCI Homes to track payments and match them against receivables with greater accuracy.
DMCI Homes president and CEO Alfredo Austria stated, “The OCA provides us with a more seamless way to manage payments from our US-based customers, while giving us greater visibility over our collections.”
Overseas Property Payments Have Historically Been Difficult
For decades, overseas buyers have relied on wire transfers, remittance centers, or manual bank deposits to pay for Philippine properties.
A large part of the struggle is that wire transfers are costly. US banks typically charge fees ranging from $20 to $45 per transfer, and intermediary banks may impose additional charges. These fees accumulate over years of amortization payments.
Transfer timelines are unpredictable, wherein international wires can take days to settle, especially when routed through intermediary banks. Delays can cause missed payment deadlines and reconciliation issues.
Foreign exchange processing also adds complexity, as buyers often face uncertainty over conversion rates, timing, and settlement amounts.
Moreover, manual reconciliation burdens developers. Property developers must match incoming payments with individual accounts, a process prone to delays and errors.
These pain points create friction for both buyers and developers, slowing down transactions and complicating the homeownership experience.
How BPI’s Overseas Collection Arrangement Works
The OCA system is designed to eliminate the struggles of overseas payments by creating a direct, automated payment rail between US bank accounts and DMCI Homes.
The process begins when a buyer signs a contract and agrees on an amortization schedule. DMCI Homes then sends a secure payment link that allows the buyer to enroll their US bank account.
Once enrolled, payments are automatically debited according to the agreed schedule and settled directly to DMCI Homes.
The system eliminates the need for wire transfers, reducing fees and delays. It also automates payment collection and provides real‑time visibility through collection and settlement reports, allowing DMCI Homes to track payments accurately.
Overall, it simplifies reconciliation, reducing administrative burden and operational risk.
The OCA integrates digital enrollment, automated debiting, and consolidated reporting, features that align with modern transaction banking standards.
US‑Based Buyers as Primary Beneficiaries
The BPI–DMCI Homes partnership addresses long‑standing pain points for overseas buyers. It offers a more convenient, predictable, and cost‑efficient way to pay for Philippine properties.
Buyers can use their existing US bank accounts, eliminating the need to open Philippine accounts or rely on remittance centers. Automatic debiting ensures timely payments, reducing the risk of missed deadlines.
Real‑time settlement provides clarity and peace of mind, while the system reduces fees associated with wire transfers and remittance services.
To US‑based Filipinos investing in Philippine real estate, the OCA depicts a significant improvement in convenience and reliability.
New Opportunity for Property Developers
The OCA enhances operational efficiency for DMCI Homes and other prospective property developers.
Automated collection reduces manual processing, minimizes reconciliation errors, and accelerates cash flow. Real‑time settlement improves liquidity management and financial planning.
The system also strengthens customer experience, as overseas buyers often face uncertainty when sending payments through traditional channels. The OCA provides a seamless, predictable process that enhances trust and satisfaction.
DMCI Homes’ adoption of the OCA situates itself as a leader in digital transformation within the real estate sector. Other developers may follow suit, potentially reshaping industry standards for overseas collections.
Hidden Gem: Cross‑Border Real Estate Payments
The Philippines has a large overseas population, particularly in the United States, where Filipino communities have strong purchasing power.
Many US‑based Filipinos invest in Philippine real estate as part of long‑term financial planning, retirement preparation, or family support.
Cross‑border property payments represent a significant opportunity for banks and developers. Through simplified payment processes, financial institutions can attract more overseas buyers and strengthen customer relationships.
The BPI–DMCI Homes partnership portrays how digital solutions can unlock this opportunity by reducing friction and improving customer experience.
A digital economy is inched closer by simplified cross‑border payments, enhanced transparency, and reduced operational risk. As more developers adopt similar solutions, the Philippine real estate market may move toward fully digital transaction flows.
DOPAY is your Overseas Remittance Partner
DOPAY, as a BSP‑licensed EMI and VASP, offers OFWs a low‑cost remittance pathway through in‑app user‑to‑user transfers, allowing OFWs to send money from abroad using crypto‑to‑PHP conversion and direct wallet‑to‑wallet transfers.
For overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and local employees, DOPAY provides a reliable way to manage money, send remittances, and access digital financial tools protected by strong KYC and AML/CFT controls.
With DOPAY’s crypto wallet, you can gain crypto rewards for every trade under our Trade & Earn program. Not just that, with DOPAY’s Refer & Earn program, Filipinos can unlock new doors for earning possibilities with every successful referral.
Download the DOPAY app today!
