Singapore Savings Account Study: High-Yield vs Traditional Banking - Maxthon

The Hidden Cost of Banking Convenience

Executive Summary

This case study examines the substantial opportunity cost facing Singaporean savers who maintain funds in traditional big bank savings accounts earning base rates of 0.05% p.a. versus optimized high-yield alternatives offering up to 2.45% p.a. With interest rates declining across the board in late 2024 and early 2025, understanding these dynamics has become critical for financial planning.

Key Findings:

Traditional big bank savings accounts (DBS, OCBC, UOB) pay just 0.05% p.a. on base savings
High-yield alternatives offer 1.38% to 2.50% p.a. with minimal requirements
A saver with S$50,000 loses approximately S$1,200 annually by staying with traditional banks
59% of Singapore savers now hold multiple savings accounts to optimise returns
Digital banks have attracted over 4 million customers combined within 3 years

Singapore Context Analysis: The Savings Account Reality Check

The Singapore Banking Landscape vs. the US Article

While the US article highlights a dramatic gap between 0.01% at big banks versus 4-5% at high-yield accounts, Singapore’s situation is different but equally important to understand.

What Singapore Banks Actually Pay

Traditional Big 3 Banks (DBS, OCBC, UOB) – Base Rates: Standard savings accounts at major Singapore banks pay approximately 0.05% p.a. on base savings Seedly – similar to the near-zero rates in the US article.

High-Yield Savings Accounts in Singapore (December 2025): The landscape has changed significantly in 2025. Interest rates have dropped across the board, with UOB lowering rates effective December 1, 2025, and various digital banks also reducing their offerings Beansprout. Current competitive rates include:

No-frills options: GXS Boost Pocket offers up to 1.38% p.a. for up to S$85,000, while SingFinance GoSaver offers 1.30% p.a. for up to S$100,000 Beansprout
With conditions: OCBC 360 Account offers up to 2.45% p.a. on the first S$100,000 when you credit salary, save S$500 monthly, and spend S$500 on credit cards Beansprout
Digital banks: Trust Bank offers up to 2.50% p.a. on balances up to S$1.2 million with no complicated requirements StashAway

Singapore-Specific Scenarios

Scenario 1: The Fresh Graduate Sarah, 24, just started working and has S$15,000 in her childhood POSB account

Current earnings at 0.05% p.a.: S$7.50 per year
Potential earnings at Trust Bank (2.50% p.a.): S$375 per year
Lost opportunity: S$367.50 annually – enough for multiple meals or a month of groceries

Scenario 2: The Working Professional Building Emergency Fund David, 32, keeps S$50,000 emergency fund at DBS standard savings

Current earnings at 0.05% p.a.: S$25 per year
Potential earnings at OCBC 360 (2.45% p.a.): S$1,225 per year
Lost opportunity: S$1,200 annually – that’s S$100 per month, or enough for a gym membership plus dining out

Scenario 3: The Mid-Career Saver Michelle, 45, has S$100,000 savings across various accounts at OCBC but doesn’t optimize

Current earnings at 0.05% p.a.: S$50 per year
Potential earnings at OCBC 360 fully optimized (2.45% p.a.): S$2,450 per year
Lost opportunity: S$2,400 annually – equivalent to a nice vacation or several months of insurance premiums

The Singapore Advantage: CPF as Comparison

Here’s a uniquely Singapore perspective: CPF Special, MediSave and Retirement accounts earn 4% p.a. (with the floor rate extended until December 31, 2026) Central Provident Fund Board. This means:

Your CPF money earns more than most high-yield savings accounts
Keeping excess cash in a 0.05% account means you’re earning 80x less than your CPF
This highlights the true opportunity cost of not optimizing your liquid savings

Important Singapore Considerations

1. SDIC Insurance Protection All accounts featured are insured up to S$100,000 per depositor under the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC) StashAway – similar to FDIC in the US, meaning smaller banks and digital banks are equally safe.

2. The “Hurdle Account” Reality Unlike the US where you can simply open a high-yield account with no strings attached, Singapore banks typically require you to:

Credit monthly salary (minimum S$1,800-S$3,000)
Spend on linked credit cards (S$500-S$800 monthly)
Sometimes increase account balance monthly or buy insurance/investment products

This makes the effective rates harder to achieve than the advertised maximums.

3. Digital Banks = Singapore’s True “High-Yield” Alternative Trust Bank, GXS, and MariBank function similar to the US high-yield accounts mentioned in the article – offering better base rates without excessive hoops, though rates have fallen from their 2024 peaks.

Action Steps for Singaporeans

Keep doing your daily banking with DBS/OCBC/UOB if you’re comfortable, but:

Move emergency funds (3-6 months expenses) to Trust Bank or GXS for better base rates
Optimize your main bank account – if you’re already with OCBC/DBS/UOB, meet the criteria to unlock bonus interest
Don’t leave large sums idle in standard savings earning 0.05% – even 1-2% makes a significant difference
Consider fixed deposits for money you won’t need soon – though rates are low now (around 1.4% at best)

The Bottom Line

While Singapore’s gap isn’t as dramatic as the US (2.45% vs 0.05% compared to 4.25% vs 0.01%), the principle remains: if you’re keeping significant savings in a standard bank account earning 0.05%, you’re leaving real money on the table. For a typical Singaporean with S$50,000-S$100,000 in savings, that could mean S$1,000-S$2,400 per year in lost earnings – money that could fund enrichment classes for your kids, contribute to insurance premiums, or accelerate your investment goals.

Part 1: The Current Landscape (December 2025)

Traditional Banking Reality

Singapore’s three major banks—DBS, OCBC, and UOB—dominate the retail banking landscape with 98% adult banking penetration. Yet their standard savings accounts offer minimal returns:

Base Savings Rates:

DBS/POSB Savings Account: 0.05% p.a.
OCBC Savings Account: 0.05% p.a.
UOB Savings Account: 0.05% p.a.

This means S$10,000 earns just S$5 per year in a standard account.

The High-Yield Alternative Universe

In stark contrast, alternative banking options provide significantly better returns:

Digital Banks (No Requirements):

MariBank: 2.28% p.a. flat rate (down from 2.50% previously)
GXS Bank: 1.38% p.a. via Boost Pockets (up to S$85,000)
Trust Bank: 1.50% p.a. base rate (up to 2.50% with NTUC membership + card spend)

Traditional Banks with Conditions:

OCBC 360: Up to 2.45% p.a. (salary credit + S$500 monthly savings + S$500 card spend)
DBS Multiplier: Up to 4.1% p.a. (salary credit + multiple transaction categories)
UOB One: Variable rates based on spending and crediting requirements

Recent Rate Environment Changes

The landscape shifted dramatically in late 2024:

MAS eased monetary policy twice in 2025 (January and April)
Singapore Overnight Rate Average (SORA) declined from 3.3% to approximately 1.96% by late 2025
Digital banks reduced promotional rates: MariBank from 2.88% to 2.28%, GXS from 2.98% to 1.38%
UOB lowered rates effective December 1, 2025

Despite these cuts, the gap between traditional base rates and optimized accounts remains substantial.

Part 2: Singapore-Specific Scenarios – The Real Cost

Scenario A: The Young Professional

Profile: Sarah, 26, marketing executive

Income: S$4,500/month
Emergency fund: S$20,000 in POSB savings (childhood account)
Monthly additions: S$800

Current State (0.05% p.a.):

Annual interest: S$10
After 5 years: S$20,050 (from initial S$20,000)
Lost compound growth on monthly savings: Significant

Optimized State (MariBank 2.28% p.a.):

Year 1 interest: S$456 (initial balance) + S$85 (monthly additions)
Total Year 1: S$541 vs S$10 = S$531 difference
After 5 years: S$72,436 vs S$68,050 = S$4,386 more earned

Impact: Sarah could use the extra S$531 annually for:

2 months of gym membership
Annual medical insurance premium
Additional CPF top-up
Several weekend getaways to Malaysia

Scenario B: The Sandwich Generation Professional

Profile: David, 38, senior manager

Income: S$8,500/month
Emergency fund: S$60,000 in DBS
Supporting: Aging parents + young children
Financial priorities: Insurance, education, retirement

Current State (0.05% p.a.):

Annual interest: S$30
Effectively earning less than inflation (core inflation 0.5-1.5% in 2025)

Optimized State (OCBC 360 at 2.45% p.a.):

Must meet: Salary credit + S$500 monthly savings + S$500 card spend
Annual interest: S$1,470
Difference: S$1,440/year = S$120/month

Impact: The S$120/month covers:

One child’s enrichment class
Partial parents’ medical expenses
Additional life insurance coverage
Monthly investment into education fund

Reality Check: David already credits salary and spends on cards. He’s losing S$1,440 annually by not optimizing—that’s his entire family’s electricity bill for the year.

Scenario C: The Mid-Career Saver

Profile: Michelle, 45, finance director

Total liquid savings: S$150,000 across various accounts
Asset allocation: S$100,000 emergency fund, S$50,000 opportunity fund
Financial goal: Early retirement at 55

Current State (Mixed accounts at ~0.05-0.2% p.a.):

Estimated annual interest: S$150-200
Real purchasing power: Declining due to inflation

Optimized State (Strategic allocation):

S$100,000 in OCBC 360 (2.45% p.a.): S$2,450
S$50,000 split between GXS Boost (1.38%) and fixed deposits (1.40%): S$690
Total: S$3,140 vs S$200 = S$2,940 difference

10-Year Impact:

Current path: ~S$2,000 total interest earned
Optimized path: ~S$31,400+ total interest (assuming rates stay constant)
Difference: S$29,400+ over 10 years

This S$29,400 represents:

1-2 years of living expenses in early retirement
Meaningful contribution to SRS (Supplementary Retirement Scheme)
Sufficient buffer for medical emergencies
Down payment assistance for child’s first home

Scenario D: The Fresh Graduate Building Foundation

Profile: Joshua, 24, first job as software engineer

Income: S$4,000/month
Savings: S$8,000 from NS allowance + part-time work
Goal: Build emergency fund to S$25,000

Current State (POSB 0.05% p.a.):

Year 1 interest on initial S$8,000: S$4
Monthly savings of S$1,200: Earning almost nothing

Optimized State (GXS Boost 1.38% p.a.):

Year 1 interest: S$110 on initial + S$88 on monthly contributions
Total Year 1: S$198 vs S$4
After 2 years reaching S$25,000: Extra S$400+ earned

Impact: The additional S$400 represents:

2 months of mobile phone bills
Several job interview outfits
Professional certification exam fees
Higher starting investment portfolio

Part 3: Behavioral and Systemic Factors

The Inertia Trap

Research shows that despite awareness, many Singaporeans maintain suboptimal banking arrangements:

Consumer Behavior Patterns:

Childhood banking loyalty: 67% of adults still use the bank their parents opened for them
Convenience bias: Primary bank proximity to workplace/home overrides interest considerations
Complexity aversion: 43% find comparing bank products “too troublesome”
Status quo bias: “If it’s working, don’t change it” mentality

Recent Trends (2024-2025):

59% of savers now hold multiple accounts (up from 45% in 2023)
48% of recent account switchers cited better rates as primary motivation
Digital bank adoption accelerated: 4M+ combined customers across GXS, Trust, Mari
Younger demographics (Gen Z, Gen Y) show stronger savings habits: 60% of Gen Z saves over 20% of income

The CPF Comparison

Singapore’s unique CPF system provides important context:

CPF Interest Rates:

Ordinary Account (OA): 2.5% p.a.
Special, MediSave, Retirement Accounts: 4.0% p.a. (floor rate until Dec 31, 2026)
First S$60,000 earns additional 1% interest

The Cognitive Dissonance: Singaporeans accept that CPF money earns 2.5-4% while simultaneously accepting 0.05% on liquid savings. This represents an 80-fold difference in returns, yet the opportunity cost often goes unrecognized.

Many rationalize: “CPF is locked up, so that’s why it earns more.” But this logic breaks down when considering:

High-yield savings accounts have same-day to 1-3 day access
SDIC insurance provides same S$100,000 protection as CPF’s government backing
No lock-in periods for most high-yield accounts

The Singapore Safety Mindset

Common Misconceptions:

“Big banks are safer” – FALSE: SDIC provides identical S$100,000 protection per institution
“Digital banks might disappear” – FALSE: MAS licensing ensures capital requirements and oversight
“High rates are too good to be true” – FALSE: Digital banks have lower operating costs (no branches)
“My money is too small to matter” – FALSE: Even S$5,000 shows significant difference (S$114 vs S$2.50 annually)

Cost of Living Pressure

Singapore’s economic context intensifies the savings gap:

Key Statistics (2024-2025):

Cost of Living Index: 85.3 (5th globally, 1st in Asia-Pacific)
11% year-on-year increase in cost of living
Real median employment income: -0.4% annual decline (2019-2024)
Core inflation forecast: 0.5-1.5% in 2025-2026

The Squeeze:

Top expense increases: Utilities (+25%), daily transport (+11%), child education (+11%)
81% of Singaporeans cite financial concerns as top worry
Only 60% have 3+ months emergency fund despite high savings consciousness

In this environment, every dollar of interest earned matters more.

Part 4: Market Outlook and Implications

Interest Rate Trajectory (2025-2026)

Based on MAS monetary policy and global economic factors:

Current Environment:

SORA benchmark: ~1.96% (down from 3.3% peak)
MAS eased policy twice in 2025 after maintaining tight stance through 2023-2024
Core inflation projected at 0.5-1.5% through 2026
GDP growth expected near-trend at 2-3% annually

Outlook:

Further modest rate declines likely through H1 2026
Big bank base rates will remain near-zero (0.05%)
Digital bank rates may decrease to 1.0-2.0% range
Optimized traditional bank accounts likely to settle at 1.5-2.2%

The Permanent Gap: Even with declines, the differential persists. Historical data shows:

2015-2019 (low rate environment): Big banks paid 0.05%, best accounts paid 1.5-1.8%
2020-2021 (COVID rates): Big banks paid 0.05%, best accounts paid 0.8-1.2%
2022-2024 (high rate cycle): Big banks paid 0.05%, best accounts paid 2.5-4.0%

Pattern: Regardless of rate environment, traditional big bank base rates remain anchored near zero while optimized accounts scale proportionally.

Competitive Dynamics

Digital Bank Evolution:

GXS Bank, Trust Bank, MariBank have shifted from pure customer acquisition to profitability focus
Trust Bank approaching breakeven (spending S$1.62 per dollar earned)
Banks expanding into lending, investments, business banking
Product sophistication increasing (fractional trading, robo-advisors, SME loans)

Traditional Bank Response:

DBS, OCBC, UOB investing heavily in digital infrastructure
Bonus rate structures becoming more complex and tiered
Focus on “relationship banking” vs. pure deposit rates
Cross-selling insurance, investments, loans to improve customer lifetime value

Customer Impact:

More choices but increasing complexity
Promotional rates becoming shorter-term (3-6 months vs. 12+ months previously)
Need for active management of banking relationships
Multiple account strategy becoming necessary for optimization

Part 5: Long-Term Solutions and Strategic Framework

Individual Action Framework

Phase 1: Assessment (Week 1)

Calculate current opportunity cost
- List all savings/checking accounts and balances
- Calculate current annual interest earnings
- Compare with optimized scenario
- Quantify annual and 5-year loss
Define banking needs
- Emergency fund: 3-6 months expenses (high liquidity needed)
- Opportunity fund: Medium-term savings (1-3 years horizon)
- Operating cash: Monthly expenses (high transaction frequency)
Evaluate personal situation
- Do you receive regular salary credit?
- What’s your monthly card spending?
- Can you maintain minimum balances?
- What’s your comfort level with multiple banks?

Phase 2: Optimization (Weeks 2-4)

Strategy A: Minimal Effort (For busy professionals)

Keep primary bank for salary, bills, credit cards (status quo)
Open ONE digital bank account (MariBank recommended for pure simplicity)
Move emergency fund to digital bank
Set automated monthly transfers to digital bank
Time investment: 30 minutes setup, 5 minutes monthly
Expected uplift: 1.8-2.2% additional return

Strategy B: Moderate Optimization (For engaged savers)

Maintain primary bank for daily banking
Open digital bank for emergency fund
Open/optimize one big bank high-yield account (OCBC 360 or DBS Multiplier)
Meet basic criteria (salary credit + card spend)
Strategic allocation: 60% in optimized big bank, 40% in digital bank
Time investment: 2 hours setup, 15 minutes monthly
Expected uplift: 2.0-2.4% additional return

Strategy C: Maximum Optimization (For rate chasers)

Multiple digital banks (MariBank + GXS)
Optimized traditional bank account
Regular monitoring of promotional rates
Tactical reallocation quarterly
Fixed deposits for portion not needed within 6-12 months
Time investment: 4 hours setup, 30 minutes monthly
Expected uplift: 2.2-2.8% additional return depending on balance tiers

Phase 3: Maintenance (Ongoing)

Quarterly review of account performance
Annual reassessment of banking relationships
Monitor rate changes (subscribe to personal finance blogs/channels)
Adjust allocations as life circumstances change
Don’t chase marginal differences (<0.2%) if time-consuming

Systemic Recommendations

For Regulators (MAS):

Transparency Requirements
- Mandate prominent display of base interest rates on all banking apps
- Require annual “Interest Earnings Report” showing how much customer earned vs. market alternatives
- Standardize interest rate disclosure for easier comparison
Consumer Protection
- Review whether 0.05% base rates constitute fair value given bank profitability
- Consider minimum floor rates tied to SORA benchmarks
- Enhance financial literacy programs on interest rate optimization
Competition Enhancement
- Accelerate account portability (similar to phone number porting)
- Support open banking infrastructure for easier rate comparison
- Monitor for anti-competitive “relationship lock-in” practices

For Banks:

Big Banks (DBS, OCBC, UOB)
- Justify near-zero base rates or increase to 0.3-0.5% baseline
- Simplify bonus rate criteria (current structures too complex)
- Proactively inform customers about optimization opportunities
- Introduce tiered rates that reward larger balances without requiring transactions
Digital Banks (GXS, Trust, Mari)
- Maintain no-frills, transparent offerings as core value proposition
- Focus on sustainable rates rather than promotional tactics
- Develop sticky products beyond just savings rates
- Educate market on operational efficiency enabling higher rates

For Consumers:

Financial Literacy Initiatives
- School curriculum: Include practical banking optimization
- Corporate benefits: Partner with employers for banking workshops
- Community programs: CPF retirement planning should include liquid savings optimization
- Content creation: More local personal finance content in Singlish/accessible formats
Decision-Making Tools
- Develop “Savings Account Optimizer” calculator
- Create standardized comparison framework
- Simulate long-term impact of decisions
- Account for time-cost of management

Part 6: Impact Analysis

Individual Financial Impact

Immediate (Years 1-2):

Tangible monthly/annual increase in interest income
Improved psychological relationship with savings (seeing money grow)
Better emergency preparedness through account segregation
Enhanced financial awareness from active management

Medium-Term (Years 3-7):

Compound interest acceleration
Funding for life goals (education, property, marriage)
Reduced stress during financial emergencies
Improved credit position (demonstrated savings capacity)

Long-Term (Years 8+):

Meaningful contribution to retirement adequacy
Earlier financial independence options
Generational wealth transfer capabilities
Financial literacy passed to children

Quantified 30-Year Impact (Age 25-55)

Assumption: Individual starts with S$20,000, adds S$1,000/month, rates decline over time

Scenario 1: Status Quo (0.05% p.a.)

Age 55 balance: S$385,000
Total interest earned: S$5,000

Scenario 2: Optimized (avg 2.0% p.a. over 30 years accounting for rate changes)

Age 55 balance: S$475,000
Total interest earned: S$95,000

Difference: S$90,000 – equivalent to:

3-4 years of retirement expenses
Full university education for one child
20% down payment on additional property
Complete medical emergency buffer

Societal and Economic Impact

Household Wealth Effect:

S$1-2 billion annually in “lost” interest across Singapore households
This money stays with banks rather than flowing to households
Reduces household purchasing power and economic velocity
Contributes to wealth inequality (savvy optimizers gain disproportionately)

Banking Sector Dynamics:

Digital banks forcing competitive pressure (positive)
Traditional banks maintaining oligopolistic pricing power (concerning)
Innovation in product design and customer experience (positive)
Risk of excessive product complexity (concerning)

Financial Inclusion:

Lower-income households disproportionately affected (less financial literacy)
Elderly populations often stuck in legacy accounts
Language barriers prevent optimization (English-only interfaces)
Need for targeted intervention for vulnerable segments

Behavioral Economics Insights:

Default effects: Most powerful factor in account selection
Loss aversion: People fear risk of new banks more than certain loss from low rates
Status quo bias: Switching costs (perceived) exceed benefits (actual)
Hyperbolic discounting: Future interest gains valued less than present convenience

Part 7: Case Studies – Real Transitions

Case Study 1: The Young Family

The Lim Family

Situation: Couple (30, 32) with one toddler, combined income S$12,000
Starting state: S$40,000 in POSB earning S$20/year
Action taken: Opened MariBank (S$30,000) + optimized UOB One (S$10,000)
Result: First year earned S$800 vs S$20 = S$780 increase
Impact: Used extra interest for child’s enrichment classes and insurance premium
Time cost: 45 minutes setup, now 5 minutes monthly to monitor
Quote: “We didn’t realize we were basically donating money to the bank. S$780 might not seem huge, but it’s real money when you have a family.”

Case Study 2: The Career Switcher

Thomas, 35, Entrepreneur

Situation: Left corporate job, building startup, needs liquid emergency fund
Starting state: S$80,000 in DBS earning S$40/year
Action taken: Split between Trust Bank (S$50,000), GXS Boost (S$20,000), kept S$10,000 in DBS for daily operations
Result: Year 1 earned S$1,450 vs S$40 = S$1,410 increase
Impact: Extra interest covered 2 months of business expenses during lean period
Lesson: “When you’re building something, every dollar counts. That S$1,400 was psychologically huge when revenue was uncertain.”

Case Study 3: The Retirement Planner

Susan, 52, Corporate Manager

Situation: 13 years to retirement, needs to maximize safe returns
Starting state: S$200,000 spread across random accounts earning ~S$150/year
Action taken: Complete restructure – S$100,000 OCBC 360 (met all criteria), S$60,000 split across two digital banks, S$40,000 in 12-month fixed deposits laddered
Result: Year 1 earned S$3,500 vs S$150 = S$3,350 increase
5-year projection: Extra S$16,750 in retirement fund
Impact: “This could be an entire additional year of retirement living expenses. Why would I leave that on the table?”

Conclusion: The Path Forward

The Singapore savings account landscape in December 2025 presents a clear choice: accept near-zero returns on liquid savings, or invest minimal time to earn 20-50x more interest.

Key Takeaways

The Gap is Real and Permanent
- Traditional big bank base rates: 0.05% p.a.
- Optimized alternatives: 1.38-2.45% p.a.
- This gap exists across all interest rate environments
The Cost is Substantial
- S$20,000 emergency fund: Losing S$400+/year
- S$50,000 medium-term savings: Losing S$1,200+/year
- S$100,000 total liquid assets: Losing S$2,400+/year
The Solution is Accessible
- No minimum balance at digital banks
- SDIC protection identical to big banks
- Setup time: 30-120 minutes depending on strategy
- Maintenance: 5-30 minutes monthly
The Barriers are Psychological, Not Practical
- Safety concerns: Addressed by regulation
- Complexity concerns: Simplified by targeted strategy
- Time concerns: ROI exceeds S$100-400/hour of effort
- Inertia: Overcome by calculating personal cost

Three-Tier Recommendation System

Tier 1 – Essential (Everyone): Minimum viable optimization – open ONE digital bank account, move emergency fund, maintain primary bank for daily use. Expected uplift: +1.8-2.2% return. Time: 30 minutes.

Tier 2 – Standard (Regular income earners): Add optimized traditional bank account, meet basic criteria (salary + card spend), strategic allocation across 2-3 accounts. Expected uplift: +2.0-2.4% return. Time: 2 hours.

Tier 3 – Advanced (High savers, detailed managers): Multiple digital banks, fixed deposit ladders, quarterly rebalancing, promotional rate optimization. Expected uplift: +2.2-2.8% return. Time: 4 hours setup, 30 min/month.

Final Perspective: Compound Impact Beyond Returns

Optimizing savings accounts delivers more than just higher interest:

Financial Benefits:

Measurable wealth accumulation
Better emergency preparedness
Improved retirement adequacy
Funding for life goals

Behavioral Benefits:

Increased financial awareness
Better money management habits
Reduced financial anxiety
Empowerment through control

Generational Benefits:

Financial literacy modeling for children
Better family financial security
Ability to support aging parents
Legacy building capacity

In Singapore’s high-cost environment with structural pressures on real income growth, optimizing liquid savings isn’t optional—it’s essential financial hygiene.

The question isn’t whether you can afford to optimize your savings. The question is: Can you afford not to?

Appendix: Quick Reference Tables

December 2025 Rate Comparison

Account Type	Interest Rate	Cap	Requirements
Traditional Big Banks
DBS/OCBC/UOB Base	0.05% p.a.	None	None
OCBC 360	2.45% p.a.	S$100k	Salary + Save + Spend
DBS Multiplier	Up to 4.1% p.a.	S$100k	Salary + Multiple categories
Digital Banks
MariBank	2.28% p.a.	S$100k	None
GXS Boost	1.38% p.a.	S$85k	Lock 1-12 months
Trust Bank	1.50-2.50% p.a.	S$500k	NTUC + Card spend for max

Annual Earnings Comparison

Balance	0.05% p.a.	2.28% p.a.	Difference
S$10,000	S$5	S$228	S$223
S$25,000	S$13	S$570	S$557
S$50,000	S$25	S$1,140	S$1,115
S$100,000	S$50	S$2,280	S$2,230

10-Year Compound Impact (No additional deposits)

Starting Balance	0.05% p.a.	2.28% p.a.	Extra Earned
S$20,000	S$20,100	S$25,059	S$4,959
S$50,000	S$50,250	S$62,647	S$12,397
S$100,000	S$100,501	S$125,295	S$24,794

Report Prepared: December 2025
Data Sources: MAS Monetary Policy Statements, Bank Websites, Consumer Research Studies
Next Review: June 2026