Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Best Corporate Bank Account Openings in Singapore
You have come to the right place to find the top 10 best corporate bank account openings in Singapore.
Opening a corporate bank account is the first step to take in any entrepreneurial journey. A bank account confirms that you are setting up the business in a particular city of a particular country. Since all your business transactions occur here, it is important that you choose a bank with good facilities – both online and offline.
This guide will help you choose the right corporate bank in Singapore and will also guide you on corporate bank account openings in Singapore. Once your account is opened, you can freely work on all your business transactions. Make sure to submit the right documents so that corporate bank account openings in Singapore are not delayed.
Singapore is one of the internationally recognized financial centres in the world with a government that is in favour of business policies. These attractive policies go together with Singapore’s strategic location, making the country a banking hub in entire Southeast Asia. There are over 200 banks that operate in Singapore. In addition, Singapore has trillions of banking assets, which is why many entrepreneurs want to open a business there and open a corporate bank account.
We have listed the top ten corporate banks in Singapore which will help you do the best in business. Choose the suitable one, ensuring it’s near to your workplace, have a supportive staff and has the best online facilities.
What is Corporate Bank Account Opening?
Corporate bank account opening refers to creating a special bank account for a company. This account serves as a dedicated financial hub for the business to manage its financial transactions, including receiving payments, making payments, payroll processing, and more. A corporate bank account primarily helps to separate the personal funds of the shareholders/owners and the company.
Why Do You Need Corporate Bank Account Opening in Singapore?
Maintaining a separate corporate bank account offers distinct advantages: clear financial separation, liability protection, enhanced credibility, strategic oversight, and simplified taxation account. Here are the benefits of having a corporate account in a reliable bank:
Enhanced Financial Clarity and Liability Protection
A key reason for opening a corporate bank account is liability protection. Having a corporate bank account separates personal and business finances, reducing personal liability for company debts and legal issues. Unlike personal accounts, corporate bank accounts safeguard against potential creditors targeting personal assets.
Credibility and Professionalism
Having a dedicated corporate bank account contributes to the credibility and professionalism of a business. Clients, partners, and vendors view a separate business account as a mark of seriousness and reliability. This not only instils trust but also streamlines financial transactions and record-keeping, further enhancing the company’s reputation.
Facilitating Financial Oversight
From a managerial standpoint, a corporate bank account enables astute oversight of business operations. Business owners can meticulously analyse financial records and transactions within the dedicated account, gaining a clearer perspective on revenue streams, expenditures, and cash flow patterns. This analytical approach aids in making informed decisions and setting strategic financial goals, contributing to the long-term success of the enterprise.
Simplified Taxation
A corporate bank account also streamlines taxation processes. The clear separation of financial transactions aids in accurate tax reporting. With a corporate account, deductible business expenses are easily identifiable, simplifying tax filings and ensuring compliance. This organized approach minimizes complexities and potential audit concerns and promotes a smoother financial landscape for the business.
Where Should I Find the Best Corporate Bank Account Opening in Singapore?
Choosing a bank could be very confusing when you are starting a business. However, Singaporeans have a distinct advantage such that major global banks have branches here. The goal is to find a bank that has all the facilities you need and exemplary customer support. And for that, Singapore Brand has made a list of the best banks to open a corporate account.
Here are the Top 10 Best Corporate Bank Account Opening in Singapore
Development Bank of Singapore (DBS)
DBS first opened in 1968, which was set up by the Singapore government. DBS currently has more than 100 branches across Singapore, and it is the largest Southeast Asian bank. They have branches and offices in the UAE, China, India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, the USA and the UK.
This bank has a huge range of corporate and personal bank services and products, which includes consumer banking, treasury, asset management, capital market services, brokerage services, debt financing, and equity.
OCBC Bank
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited (OCBC) is an established bank in Singapore that was opened in 1932. Further, there are over 590 OCBC branches in 18 countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, USA, UK, UAE, and Australia.
Together with DBS, OCBC is also listed as one of the safest banks in the world according to Global Finance. In addition, it received an award of the “Best Managed Bank” and “Strongest Bank, ASEAN” based on the criteria of Asian Banker.
Standard Chartered Bank
Standard Chartered Bank is a British financial institution that originated in 1858, and it is globally one of the largest banks. It has over 1200 branches in 70 countries, and 90% of the profits come from Asia operations. Standard Chartered first opened its branch in Singapore in 1859, and it was in 1999 when it received a Qualifying Full Bank (QFB) license. It has 17 branches in Singapore. This bank has corporate and institutional clients which offer services related to trading finance, lending, cash management, securities, debt capital markets, foreign exchange, and corporate finance. The bank also has private banking services in their private banking department.
United Overseas Bank (UOB)
The United Overseas Bank (UOB) started in 1935 and currently has 500 branches in over 19 countries. The headquarters of UOB is located at Raffles PI. The bank has personal and commercial banking products and services. This bank also has asset management related services together with private banking and insurance services. It has handled a total of SGB358.59 Billion assets. In 2018, UOB had total revenue of SGD8.12 billion. In that same year, its net income was SGD3.41 billion with around 25,000 employees.
It was awarded as “Best Overall Fund Group in Singapore” in 2008 when The Edge-Lipper Singapore Fund Awards happened.
Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC)
HSBC is a Hong Kong/British multinational financial institution, and it has become one of the world’s largest banks. Currently, HSBC has over 4000 offices located in 70 countries. HSBC first operated in 1877 and it played a major role in Singapore’s reconstruction after World War II.
HSBC Singapore falls under the Qualified Full Bank category and it has a comprehensive offering of banking and financial options for clients. For instance, these include retail banking, commercial banking, wealth management, private banking, investment banking, insurance services, trustee services, capital market services, and securities-related services.
RHB Bank (Singapore)
RHB Bank started in 1961 with its headquarters in Malaysia. This is universal and it operates in 7 locations in Singapore. RHB Bank has services like credit facilities like purchasing securities, mortgages, non-residential mortgages, credit cards, hire purchases, and personal loans. They also have deposit collection, remittances, investment services, and general insurance products for individual clients. RHB Bank has handled about MYR230.21 billion in total assets. RHB has a generated revenue of MYR3.5 billion in 2017. In that year, RHB Bank’s net income was about MYR1.95 billion. It has a total of 14,790 employees to date.
Citibank
Citibank Singapore Ltd. Is on the top 10 list of banks in Singapore, and it is a Citigroup Inc. subsidiary. In 1902, it became the pioneering American bank to have a branch in Singapore. In 2005, it received a license as a qualified full license bank from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Citibank has over 9,200 employees today and it operates in over 1,500 consumer touchpoints. The bank allows local and foreign accounts, cash management, time deposits, treasury products, trade solutions, personal loans, credit cards, commercial real estate and business loans, wealth management, and mortgages. It also offers health and life insurance, credit insurance, travel insurance, and online banking.
Bank of China
The Bank of China is one out of five state-run commercial banks in China, which has become one of the top banks operating in Singapore. Bank of China started in 1912 and it is the top 5 largest bank in the world based on market capitalization. The Bank of China opened for the first time in Singapore in 1936. Today, the Bank of China has a licensed Qualifying Full Bank (QFB).
The bank has various financial products and services like local and foreign currency deposits, personal loans, remittance, charge cards, wealth management services, unit trust and insurance products, forex trading, trade financing, securities investment and management, structured finance, corporate lending, custodial services, investment advisory services, asset management, investment banking, and RMB services.
CIC Singapore
CIC is a wholly-owned entity by Credit Mutuel Group. It was first established in 1984 and considered as Asia Pacific headquarters. Its headquarters in Singapore is located in Marina Bay Financial Center. CIC offers financial products and services like corporate finance, treasury, private banking, structured finance, and more. It already handled a total of 619.20 billion assets. The Credit Mutuel Group already generated a net interest income of about €14.01 billion in 2017. In that year, their net income was at €2.4 billion
Maybank Singapore
Maybank Singapore Limited is a systemically important bank in Singapore. They opened their first branch in 1960 and currently has 25 branches with 1,800 over employees. Maybank has quality products and services which include commercial and retail banking, private banking, SME banking, and wealth management. The company is operating as a Malaysian bank subsidiary, which is one of the leading financial services groups located in Asia. It has branches in 20 countries. It is among the top 5 banks in the ASEAN and one of Singapore’s Qualifying Full Banks. Maybank has handled more than S$22.7 billion worth of assets in Singapore.
End of List on the Top 10 Best Corporate Bank Account Openings in Singapore
Singapore Brand Assistance
Need help on finding the right corporate bank account opening in Singapore? Reach out to us by letting us understand your requirement and Singapore Brand refer you to the right provider in Singapore to discuss your needs further.
