Singapore Savings Bonds vs Singapore Fixed Deposits

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Last updated on 2024-11-01

1. Singapore Savings Bonds Interest Rate

2. Singapore Savings Bonds Interest Rate Trend

3. Singapore Fixed Deposit Interest Rate History

4. Singapore Fixed Deposit Interest Rate Trend

5. Which is Better, Fixed Deposits or Singapore Savings Bonds?

6. Where should I put my Money, Fixed Deposits or Singapore Savings Bonds?

Singapore Savings Bonds Interest Rate

The latest issue of Singapore Savings Bonds (SSBs) have average yields of 2.66% per annum for a 1 year holding period and 2.81% per annum for a 10 years holding period. The minimum investment is $500 with a maximum holding of $200,000 at any point of time. The holding period for SSBs can be up to 10 years with investors being able to redeem their bonds at any point in time without any penalty. The sum invested is guaranteed by the government with no risk of loss of capital. Investors can apply and invest in SSBs from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday excluding Public Holidays at local banks ATMs or online banking using cash or SRS every month. Visit Singapore Savings Bonds website to get the most up-to-date information about the latest issue of Singapore Savings Bonds.

Singapore Savings Bonds Interest Rate Trend

Returns for SSBs matches the returns for Singapore Government Securities (SGSs) of the same holding period at the time the SSB is issued. The yields of SGSs have been kept low due to Singapore's strong fiscal position and strong credit rating. Hence, SSBs has seen low yields to match the low yields in SGSs. Furthermore, inflation have eased off in recent months and SSBs yields have been slashed to 2.81% per annum for a 10 years holding period and 2.66% per annum for a 1 year holding period for the latest issue. See Singapore Savings Bonds for past historical yields.

Singapore Fixed Deposit Interest Rate History

Singapore Fixed Time Deposits offer depositors deposit rates of around 0.50% to 3.20% per annum for tenures of anywhere between 3 to 24 months since 2002. The current Money Lobang National Average Fixed Deposit Rates for November 2024 is 2.74% p.a. and it has been easing off in recent months. Minimum deposit varies widely but is usually around $20,000. Deposits in SRS accounts cannot be placed in fixed deposit accounts. Banks seldom offer fixed deposits promotions for tenures above 24 months due to the lack of demand. Withdrawal of fixed deposits before the tenure is up will result in penalties such as depositors forgoing the interest, returning of promotional gifts or even paying a stated penalty. All deposits in Singapore including fixed deposits are insured by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation for a sum of up to $100,000. Depositors can open a fixed deposit account anytime at any bank branches and even through online banking for most banks.

Singapore Fixed Deposit Interest Rate Trend

Fixed Deposit interest rates have also eased in 2024 but are still currently higher than SSB yields. With inflation no longer a huge concern, fixed deposit rates will most likely follow suit and will drop over the upcoming months. See Average Fixed Deposit Rates for past historical returns.

Which is Better, Fixed Deposits or Singapore Savings Bonds?

A quick look at Highest Fixed Deposit Interest Rates in Singapore will show that most banks offer higher deposit rates as compared to the 2.66% per annum that SSBs yield if your holding period is 1 year. Comparatively, if your holding period is for the full 10 years, SSBs average yield of 2.81% per annum is similar to most Singapore Fixed Time Deposits assuming you renew your fixed deposits at current interest rates everytime their tenure is up. However, the certainty of higher returns over the next 10 years makes SSBs slightly more attractive to depositors looking for alternative financial products.

With a minimum purchase of $500 and a maximum holding of $200,000 worth of SSBs at any point of time, SSBs are quite restrictive for savers who want to park more than $200,000 in a safe investment. They are however ideal for Singaporeans who have less than $200,000 and are looking to grow their money instead of leaving them in their savings or SRS accounts.

SSBs are extremely liquid as they can be redeemed anytime and the capital will be back in the investor's account within a month without any penalty. Comparatively, depositors incur a penalty when they withdraw a fixed deposit before its tenure is up. Both SSBs and fixed deposits are extremely safe with loss of capital extremely unlikely even in the event of a financial crisis.

Where should I put my Money, Fixed Deposits or Singapore Savings Bonds?

Place funds in higher yielding Fixed Time Deposits as fixed deposit interest rates are currently more attractive but reserve some funds for Singapore Savings Bonds which still offers relatively high yields over the next 10 years. Rates for both are expected to continue to drop over the upcoming months.

Singapore Savings Bonds can cover the needs of most Singaporeans who want to save for the long run and it makes sense to invest in it as an alternative product to short term fixed deposits that banks can offer currently. Investors/savers will get more certainty of the interest rates over the course of 10 years if they purchase SSBs as compared to fixed deposit interest rates which fluctuate with market conditions. SSBs provide a competitive product to fixed deposits with higher returns for depositors in the long term and is a free gift from the goverment.

The long term yields of SSBs might be lower than most Singapore Fixed Time Deposits right now but depositors with an eye for the long term should take the opportunity to purchase risk-free SSBs if their yields rise in the near future so as to maximise their returns over the next 10 years.