Smart Money Moves – Where Singapore’s Seasoned Investors Are Parking Their Cash

Singapore’s investment scene looks quite different in 2025. Interest rates have cooled off from their peaks, and smart money is flowing into both traditional safe havens and newer opportunities. So, here’s where locals are putting their cash to work.

Singapore Savings Bonds and T-bills – Your 2.29% Safety Net

SSBs remain the number one for risk-averse investors. July 2025’s bringing yields 2.29% over 10 years – down from December 2022’s peak of 3.47%, but still beats most savings accounts. You start with 1.82% in year one, and rates surge each year you hold. The best part about it is that you can cash out anytime without any penalties.

T-bills are another government-backed option. Right now, 6-month yields sit at 3.02%, and you only need $1,000 to start. Seems just perfect for parking cash while you wait for better opportunities.

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Investing in the Proven Sector – $8 Billion Bet

Singapore’s gaming sphere isn’t a tourist trap, but a serious investment. Popular resorts deliver nearly 1.5% of Singapore’s GDP and directly employ more than 22,000 people. Tourism revenue hit $22 billion through September 2024, with entertainment and gaming jumping 25% over the year.

Such massive growth proves how gaming and iGaming, including online casinos, have become highly popular in Singapore, attracting both local players and international operators who see the market’s potential. The regulated field here gives stability that investors love.

For instance, Las Vegas Sands just upped their commitment to $8 billion for Marina Bay Sands expansion. Well, that’s more than double their original investment. The expansion includes a 570-suite luxury hotel, a 15,000-seat arena, and premium gaming floors.

REITs Yielding 6%+ – Income That Really Pays Off

S-REITs finally show signs of life after a rough patch. Average yields hover around 6.15% – way better than fixed deposits. The sector trades about 12% below fair value, making buying opportunity.

Some popular ones include Frasers Hospitality Trust (up 21.4% year-to-date) and Mapletree Logistics Trust (6.9% dividend yield in 2024). Industrial and logistics REITs look very attractive as e-commerce pushes warehouse demand across Southeast Asia.

ETFs Under 0.25% Fees – Set and Forget Investing

If you want instant diversification, STI ETFs give you Singapore’s top 30 companies for expense ratios as low as 0.16%. The iShares MSCI Singapore ETF returned more than 20% year-to-date through July 2025, crushing many regional markets.

Tech lovers can grab the Lion-OCBC Securities Hang Seng TECH ETF for exposure to Asian tech giants. Bond investors aren’t left out, though – the ICBC CSOP FTSE Chinese Government Bond ETF costs just 0.25% annually and provides stable returns from Chinese government bonds.

CPF and SRS – Tax-Saving Power Play

Don’t let your CPF sit idle. After keeping $20,000 in your Ordinary Account, invest the rest through CPFIS in approved stocks, ETFs, and unit trusts. Beat CPF’s default rates while keeping your retirement funds growing.

SRS delivers even better perks. Contribute up to $15,300 yearly for immediate tax deductions. Invest in almost anything – stocks, bonds, REITs, even SSBs. Withdraw after 63 and pay tax on only half if you spread it over 10 years.

Online Wealth Platforms – Robo-Advisors That Actually Work

StashAway and some similar platforms make investing as simple as it can get. Start with only $1, pay lower fees than regular advisors, and choose from strategies such as General Investing or ESG-focused portfolios. Their Simple Plus cash management brings more than 3%, and it’s better than most banks.

These platforms handle rebalancing automatically and have tax optimization. Perfect for beginners or anyone who wants professional management without the enormous fees.

The Takeaway

Being good at investing in Singapore is much more than finding one perfect investment. You actually need to mix it all up – keep emergency funds in T-bills, get income through REITs, build wealth with casinos, and maybe put 5-10% to some higher-risk plays.

Start where you’re comfortable. Even $500 in SSBs beats leaving cash in a savings account. As you learn more, expand into REITs or ETFs. The main part is starting now, staying consistent, and not panicking when markets wobble.