How to Start Investing With $100 in Singapore

Singapore Has Lowered the Barrier to Investing

A decade ago, investing in Singapore required meaningful capital to clear minimum board lot requirements (typically 100 shares) on the SGX. Brokerage fees of $25-40 per trade made small investments impractical.

That barrier is gone. In 2025, you can start investing from $1 via Tiger Brokers or moomoo fractional shares, or from $100/month via POSB Invest-Saver. SGD $100 is a genuine, practical starting point.

Option 1: POSB Invest-Saver ($100/month minimum)

The simplest entry point for Singaporean beginners:

• Set up a monthly RSP (Regular Savings Plan) via POSB Internet Banking
• Choose the Nikko AM STI ETF (tracks Singapore's Straits Times Index) or ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund
• From $100/month, automatically deducted via GIRO each month
• No brokerage fee on purchase; 0.82% fee on sale
• ETF management fee: 0.35% per annum

This is automatic, diversified, dollar-cost-averaged investing with zero active management required. $100/month at 6% returns over 30 years becomes approximately SGD $100,000.

Option 2: Tiger Brokers / moomoo / IBKR (Fractional Shares)

For access to global markets:

Tiger Brokers and moomoo both offer:

• Fractional US ETF investing (VOO, VTI, QQQ)
• Commission-free US stock and ETF trades
• SGX access with standard brokerage fees

Note on US-domiciled ETFs: For Singapore investors, purchasing US-domiciled ETFs (VOO, VTI) from a US exchange creates US estate tax risk if your US-sited assets exceed USD $60,000 at death. For small early-stage portfolios, this risk is manageable — and can be migrated to Ireland-domiciled equivalents (VUAA, VWRA) later.

Interactive Brokers (IBKR): Best for Ireland-domiciled ETFs (VWRA, VUAA) with the lowest fees globally. Account minimum effectively zero; commission-free on most US/EU ETFs.

Option 3: FSMOne Regular Savings Plan ($50/month minimum)

FSMOne provides access to a broader range of unit trusts and ETFs via RSP from $50/month. The platform is SGX-linked and offers access to Vanguard unit trusts and Dimensional funds for diversification beyond the STI.

What to Buy With SGD $100

Goal	Platform	Product
Singapore market	POSB Invest-Saver	Nikko AM STI ETF
Global diversification	IBKR	VWRA or VUAA
US market exposure	Tiger Brokers	VOO (small amount)
Bonds	POSB Invest-Saver	ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund
Beginner all-in-one	Tiger Brokers / moomoo	Vanguard Total World (VT)

Simplest approach: POSB Invest-Saver into STI ETF. Automatic, low-cost, Singapore-denominated, no FX risk. Set it and forget it.

CPF Is Already Working

For employed Singaporeans, $100/month may feel redundant when $2,000+/month is flowing into CPF. But CPF is illiquid (largely locked until 55 or 65). External investing builds accessible wealth:

• Emergency fund: cash savings account
• Accessible investment wealth: brokerage ETFs or RSPs
• Retirement: CPF + locked long-term investments

The $100 monthly RSP is about building the habit and accessible wealth, not duplicating CPF.

Singapore Savings Bonds (SSBs) — A Safe Starting Point

If you are not ready for equities, Singapore Savings Bonds offer:

• Risk-free (Singapore government-backed)
• Current yield: approximately 3.0-3.5% over 10 years
• Minimum: SGD $500
• Apply via DBS/OCBC/UOB ATM or online banking

SSBs are not higher-yielding than equities over the long term, but they are appropriate for capital preservation or a conservative first step while building equity investing confidence.

The Monthly Compounding Effect in SGD

Monthly Investment	Annual Return	After 30 Years (SGD)
$100	6%	~$100,451
$200	6%	~$200,901
$500	6%	~$502,252
$1,000	6%	~$1,004,504

No CGT applies when selling. Singapore dividends are not subject to withholding. The effective return keeps more of the gross compounded amount than equivalent returns in most other countries.

Your Three-Step Start

1. Open POSB Invest-Saver or a Tiger Brokers account online (15 minutes; SingPass MyInfo makes KYC instant)
2. Deposit SGD $100 and purchase one ETF
3. Set up a $100/month automatic contribution on salary credit day

The first investment creates the habit. Monthly automation builds the portfolio. The combination of CPF compounding and active investing outside CPF is how most Singapore millionaires build their net worth over a career.