Tag Archive: POSB

Jul
02
2009

DBS and POSB to Cut Savings Interest Rate

Starting from yesterday, interest rates on the savings accounts at both DBS and POSB will be reduced.

The interest rate for the first $50k held at PSOB will be cut from 0.25% to 0.125% while DBS Savings Plus account holders will get 0.1% for the first $50k.

Rates at other banks are similarly low. For example:

UOB – 0.125% on first $15k

OCBC – 0.125% on first $10k

SCB – 0.125% from amount between $1000 and $2500

With the cut by DBS and POSB, the 3-month treasury bills could be an alternative to those who has excess cash but do not wish to park it into a long tenure fixed deposit. Currently, the 3-month T-Bill is yielding about 0.25% p.a. You can apply for it on a weekly basis via ATMs of the local banks without the hassle of going down to the bank branches.

Permanent link to this article: http://www.martinlee.sg/dbs-and-posb-to-cut-savings-interest-rate/

Jun
24
2009

POSB Invest SingGrowth Account

I saw an advertisement for a POSB structured product, the POSB Invest SingGrowth account, in the newspapers the other day. Thought it would be good to highlight and have a look at this product.

The POSB Invest SingGrowth account is a 5-year equity-linked structured product that promises a fixed yearly payout with the potential of a bonus payout if a redemption event takes place.

A redemption event takes place when the share prices of Singapore Telecommunications Limited, United Overseas Bank Limited, Singapore Press Holdings Limited and SembCorp Industries Limited have all risen 15% or more above their original prices on specific fixing dates.

When that happens, the original investment will also be returned and the product will terminate.

Year Fixed Payout Bonus Payout
Year 1 2.78% -
Year 2 1.08% 0.50%
Year 3 1.18% 1.00%
Year 4 1.28% 1.50%
Year 5 1.38% 2.00%

The minimum amount for this investment is $5000 and here are some examples of how the payout will look like (using $10,000 as an investment). Note that the analysis and examples might not be exhuastive. I am relying only on the information found on the POSB website (link no longer exists).

Case 1: No redemption event

You will collect:

End of year 1: $278

End of year 2: $108

End of year 3: $118

End of year 4: $128

End of year 5: $10138

Case 2: Redemption event occurs at end of year 2

You will collect:

End of year 1: $278

End of year 2: $10158

Case 3: Redemption event occurs at end of year 3

You will collect:

End of year 1: $278

End of year 2: $108

End of year 3: $10218

Case 4: Redemption event occurs at end of year 4

You will collect:

End of year 1: $278

End of year 2: $108

End of year 3: $118

End of year 4: $10278

Case 5: Redemption event occurs at end of year 5

You will collect:

End of year 1: $278

End of year 2: $108

End of year 3: $118

End of year 4: $128

End of year 5: $10338

Case 6: DBS/POSB goes bust

You will get back nothing as this product does not fall under the Singapore Deposit Insurance Act.

While the 2.78% payout for year 1 might look attractive, the actual yield for the 5 different cases are computed as follows:

Case 1: 1.55% p.a.

Case 2: 2.19% p.a.

Case 3: 2.02% p.a.

Case 4: 1.96% p.a.

Case 5: 1.94% p.a.

Conclusion

For a 5-year product, there are currently other better options around.

Permanent link to this article: http://www.martinlee.sg/posb-invest-singgrowth-account/

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