Interest Income for November 2016

Really need to get into habit of recording down my dividends and interest income. As some of you might be aware, I have been relying on banks promotional interest rates or bonus interest to get higher rates for my savings account.

For November 2016, I managed to get $179 from my OCBC360 account. Not bad if you ask me.

Dividends and Interest Income for May 2016

This is just a rough estimate of dividends and interest credited to my bank account for this month:

Dividends = $1252
Interest = $197

Total = $1449

Dividends and Interest Income for April 2016

Received a grand total of estimated $158 for dividends and $151 in interest income for April 2016.

Dividends came from one of my REIT holdings and the interest income came largely from my bank accounts which is yielding an okay interest rate. At the moment, I am largely relying on the OCBC 360 account (roughly 2.2% for first 60,000 and 1% for incremental increase) and their Bonus Savings account (0.8%). I also have the UOB account but have found it difficult to the credit card minimum spend requirement on that account.

Highest Bank Account Deposit/Interest Rates in Singapore ( Updated 19 March 2015)

Just compiling a list of the highest bank account deposit rates in Singapore currently. Might have missed out some so do feel free to leave a comment if you know of any other accounts that offer high interest rates. Do also note that these are not like-for-like comparisons so one is advised to assess which is best for your own purposes.

1. POSB - 1.88% per annum

POSB is now offering a promotional interest rate of 1.88% for 12 months. You simply need to register before the end of February 2015, top up your chosen savings account between $1000 to $1,000,000, and maintain that amount within your savings account for the next 12 months to get the 1.88% interest rates.

2. Maybank - Singapore Dollar Time Deposits (Up to 1.55%)

Maybank has a time deposit ranging from 12 months, 18 months and 24 months. For amounts greater than $25,000 but less than $50,000, you can earn 1.10% (12 mths), 1.18% (18 mths) and 1.28% (24 mths) respectively.

For amounts above $50,000, you get 1.35% (12 mths), 1.45% (18 mths) and 1.55% (24 mths) respectively.

3. OCBC 360  - 3.05%

This is not a fixed deposit account. It offers a base interest of 0.05% and gives a bonus 1% interest when you credit your salary, pay 3 bills and spend $400 on your credit card. Works for some people who are able to fulfill all these criteria.

4. OCBC Bonus + Savings Account

As stated on OCBC's website, "All funds in the Bonus+ Savings Account enjoy a monthly base interest of 0.05% p.a. If no withdrawals are made, the interest rate will be 0.60% p.a. for 2 months and 1.15% p.a. for the third month. If no withdrawals are made in the quarter and there is minimum $10,000 fresh funds deposit, the interest rate will be 2.35% p.a. for the third month. The maximum effective interest rate for the account will be 1.18% p.a." The diagram above also shows how the bonus interest rates work. As long as you do not withdraw any amount for the quarter and deposit fresh $10,000 in funds, you will be entitled to the bonus interest rates. Terms and conditions apply.

OCBC 360 Account Offers Incredible Interest Rates of over 3%

Recently, I posted about opening a DBS multiplier account that offered interest rates of over 2% depending on your cashflow with the bank.

It now seems that OCBC has up the competition by offering a similar account that offers interest rates up to 3.05% . OCBC 360 account seems attractive as the bonus interest rates are also much more achievable.

To get the bonus interest rates, I will just need to credit my salary, carry out 3 bill payments, and charge $400 to an OCBC credit card. Each of the above gives a bonus interest of 1%. Together with the base interest of 0.05%, it adds up to 3.05%.

I think the offer from OCBC seems to be too good to be missed. Opening my account with them definitely.

Why I signed up for the DBS Multiplier Account

I recently signed up for the DBS multiplier account because of the higher interest rates that were offered compared to a normal savings account.

The process of opening the account was fuss free as everything was done online through internet banking.

Basically, the account offers a higher interest rate depending on the cashflow of that account. The cashflow is limited to a few items (e.g. salary), and various tiers of higher interest is offered if the cashflow exceeds different levels.

Considering that I had spare cash in another account, it made sense to just open the account and earn a higher interest rate for the time being. Besides, the interest is paid monthly!

Bank Promotional Offers for Higher Interest Rates

OCBC is having a Chinese New Year promotion where they are offering interest rates of up to 1.8% per annum or even up to 2% per annum (Premier Banking customers only).  The first offer is called the OCBC Bonus + Savings Account and the second offer is called the Premier Dividend + Savings Account.  The effective interest rate works out to be 0.9% p.a. and 1.00% p.a. respectively.  That is not too bad considering that a normal savings account usually offers much lower interest rates.  Of course, terms and conditions apply (e.g. fresh funds, etc).  But anyone interested ought to check it out.

At the same time, POSB is also offering an account to earn up to 2.014% interest per annum with a POSB eMSA 2014 account.  This requires one to set up a regular monthly savings plan (from $1000 to $3000) into the eMSA account in order to enjoy the higher interest rates.

I have not signed up for any of these accounts but think it might be worth checking it out.  Think the promotions might be ending soon.  So those who are interested ought to check it out really soon. Caveat emptor.

On the other hand, if you are not interested in all this, you might just be interested to read my previous post why it might make sense to top up your cpf account.

POSB Coin Deposit Machine

This is some additional info regarding the POSB Coin Deposit Machine for those of you who have lots of coins and would like to deposit them into one of your savings account with DBS or POSB.

1. What is this Coin Deposit Machine?
This is a new 24-hour self-service terminal that allows you to deposit coins at our selected branches/Electronic Banking locations.

2. Who can use this Coin Deposit Machine?
Customers who wish to deposit coins into any DBS Current/Autosave Account, DBS Savings Plus Account, POSB Current Account, POSB Savings Account may use this machine.

3. Can I deposit my coins to more than 1 account for each coin deposit transaction?
At any one time, you may deposit the coins into one account only.

4. What are the accepted denominations and currencies?
Only Singapore Dollar currency is accepted. The accepted denominations are 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 dollar (floral series only).

5. How much coin can I deposit each time?
There is no minimum or maximum amount for each coin deposit. The maximum number of pieces deposited is however, subject to the load capacity of the machine.

6. Do I need to sort the coins according to denominations before depositing at the machine?
No, your coins can comprise a mixture of the accepted denominations of 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 dollar (floral series only).

7. Can I change the amount of my coin deposit after placing them into the coin deposit machine?
You may retrieve coins that are still in the coin tray and not inserted into the machine. Once the coins are inserted into the machine, it will be counted and deposited accordingly.

8. When will my account be credited?
Collection time is daily at 2pm (except Saturdays/Sundays/Public Holidays). Deposits before collection time will be credited on the same business day before 8pm while deposits after collection time will be credited on the next business day before 8pm.

9. Are there any charges levied for coin deposits?
Coin deposits through the coin deposit machine are levied fees based on $0.0075 (0.75 cents) per piece, and total charges rounded off to the nearest 1 cent. Coin deposit fees will be waived for deposits into Children's accounts (age 15 years and below). To enjoy this waiver, you will need to drop the coin deposit receipt in our Quick Cheque Deposit box. Refunds will be processed by the next business day (Mon-Fri).

10. Who can help me if I encounter a problem using the machine?
You may call us at :
DBS Phone Banking : 1800-111-1111
POSB Phone Banking : 1800-339-6666


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Opening A POSBKids Savings Account

Today, I walked into the DBS branch at Great World City to open a POSBKids Savings Account.

The reason for opening it is twofold:

1. Firstly, to start saving a sum of money for my child's education (pre-school, primary school, enrichment classes, university education) and stuff. I am already investing some money for my child's education but would like a more liquid form of savings so that I can make withdrawals anytime.

2. Secondly, this account lets me deposit all my coins without any charges. I have lots of coins lying around the house always and having such an account will let me save regularly for my child.

Nevermind the low interest rates. As long as it allows me to deposit my reservoir of coins without charge, I am a happy man.

So the amount that is in the bank account now stands at $1350. Hopefully, I can start putting money into this account more regularly.