Singapore is a major international financial center, serving not only the domestic market but also the Asia-Pacific region. The country is home to many bank headquarters and offers central access to regional markets. At the national level, the banking industry plays a key role in the country's economy, as public policies have liberalized the sector and opened it up to local and foreign investment. The domestic market is highly developed, with one of the highest
. The industry is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the country's central bank, which was established in 1971. The MAS manages monetary policy, foreign exchange reserves, and payment systems. Supported by a highly connected population, Singapore is gradually positioning itself as a fintech hub via the Smart Nation initiative. The country already has the highest average transaction value for
and is among the most advanced nations in terms of adopting cashless payments in the region.
Banking landscape in Singapore
The finance and insurance sector accounts for a significant share of the country's
nominal gross value added. As a major contributor to the economic development of the country, Singapore’s banking system is distinguished by its security, stability, and level of secrecy, which attracts many foreign clients. The sector’s structure is divided into domestic and foreign banks, all of which are regulated by the MAS. Domestic banks are all full banks, authorized to provide services such as current and savings accounts, ATMs, bank cards, mortgages, and loans.
Foreign banks, the majority of which are wholesale banks, account for a considerable portion of the sector with a total of 126 banks. These foreign bank branches, such as ING Bank, Barclay Bank, and Deutsche Bank, cannot operate as Singapore dollar retail banks but can engage in the same range of banking activities as full banks.
Major local banks in Singapore
The domestic banking sector has evolved significantly with the consolidation of six local banking groups into three large local banks. The three major banks, DBS Group, United Overseas Bank (UOB), and OCBC Group, are now a pillar of Singapore's economy due to their financial strength and international influence. These banks have broadened their range of activities and improved their business and risk management capabilities over the years. With increased financial strength from prior mergers amidst a competitive domestic scene, they expanded their international presence through foreign acquisitions. DBS, also known as the Development Bank of Singapore, was established in 1968 and is considered the leading bank in Singapore and Southeast Asia
in terms of assets. It also has the broadest retail network in Singapore, with 80 branches. All three banks had strong financial results in the fiscal year 2022.
DBS posted a record profit of 8.19 billion Singapore dollars and
UOB Group recorded a 18.1 percent profit increase, while
OCBC’s net profit increased by 18.3 percent.
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