Best priority banking accounts and benefits in Singapore (2026)

What happened?

Priority banking promotions have changed in 2026.

Offered by most banks in Singapore, priority banking programmes are designed for individuals with significant wealth, think larger deposits, bigger investments, and higher transaction volumes. 

In return, you get a suite of premium services, from dedicated relationship managers to personalised wealth solutions.

Priority banking accounts also offer attractive benefits to customers such as sign-up rewards, preferential interest rates, and additional rewards for purchase of investment or insurance products.

To qualify, you’ll typically need to maintain a minimum amount with the bank. This can include cash in your savings account, investments in shares or bonds, or a mix of other assets. 

The entry point is anywhere from S$200,000 to S$350,000, depending on the bank you choose.

So how do the different banks stack up, and which one offers the best value? 

In this guide, we compare the qualification requirements, promotions and benefits offered by the major priority banking programmes in Singapore to help you find the right fit.

What is Priority Banking? 

In Singapore, most banks segment their customers into three tiers: Personal Banking, Priority Banking, and Private Banking. 

When you opt for priority banking, you're essentially enrolling as an esteemed VIP within the bank's clientele. 

Priority banking sits between personal banking and private banking. It is typically offered to customers who maintain a larger amount of deposits and investments with the bank.

Depending on the priority banking programme, you could also enjoy a range of exclusive perks:

• Higher interest rates on your deposits and preferential foreign exchange rates
• A dedicated relationship manager to support your financial goals
• Access to wealth advisory, curated wealth products and investment solutions
• Priority service through selected banking channels
• Exclusive credit or debit cards
• Travel, dining and lifestyle privileges
• Fee waivers on selected banking services, like fall-below fees.

However, the benefits vary widely between banks. Some programmes focus more on international banking and wealth management, while others offer stronger deposit rates or lifestyle privileges.

How to qualify for Priority Banking? 

Every bank has its own brand for its Priority Banking customers. For instance, DBS brands it as DBS Treasures. 

The same Priority Banking status at Citibank is known as Citigold. 

Since every bank has its own modus operandi, the way to qualify for Priority Banking is also different. 

In general, if you want to be a Priority Banking customer, then you better be prepared to have at least S$200,000 of Total Relationship Balance (TRB) or assets under management (AUM) with the bank.

To break the technical jargon for you, TRB just refers to the total assets under your name with the bank. 

These assets generally refer to liquid assets such as cash, investments, or insurance. 

Therefore, in case you are wondering who has S$200,000 cash lying in the bank, the S$200,000 can be a mixture of cash, investments, and insurance.

Some banks also allow customers to qualify through a sufficiently large mortgage. Based on the programmes compared, CIMB Preferred and Standard Chartered Priority Banking offer mortgage-based qualification routes.

What are the advantages of Priority Banking?

#1 - Preferential rates

Priority Banking customers enjoy a preferential rate when it comes to savings accounts and fixed deposits. 

After all, the bank doesn’t want you to stop banking with them. 

Thus, they will offer you preferential rates to keep your money within the bank.

Some banks also offer better-than-market rates on mortgages. 

If you have a mortgage to service, you might want to put it under your Priority Banking account.

#2 - Access to relationship manager

As a Priority Banking customer of the bank, you will get your own banker or relationship manager to help you manage your wealth. 

If you have questions about your transactions or accounts, they are there to help you too.

In addition, you may gain access to a wider suite of wealth management products, especially if you were to sign up as an accredited investor. 

#3 - Greater convenience 

Since you are a Priority Banking customer, you get priority for any banking service done at the counter. 

There are also branches opened specifically to serve the Priority Banking customers that only Priority Banking customers can enter.

Best priority banking accounts and benefits in Singapore 

There are many priority banking accounts in Singapore, and not all priority banking accounts are designed the same way. 

The majority of them offer some form of wealth management services, often with attractive perks dangled in front of you, such as an eye-watering sign up promotion.

Since every bank has its own Priority Banking, we thought it will be useful to compile a list of all the Priority Banking accounts and how to qualify for one. 

While there may be other qualifying criteria, most banks require you to have at least S$200K (or more) of TRB with them.

The highest entry requirement is S$350,000 for DBS Treasures, OCBC Premier Banking and UOB Privilege Banking.

Citigold

Citigold is Citibank’s priority banking program catering to those who would like wealth planning and investment services.

For example, Citigold members can enjoy personalised wealth solutions and tools, preferential interest rates on deposits, receive financial advice and global insights from their team, in addition to a dedicated relationship manager who'll provide wealth advisory.

In addition, Citigold customers can also enjoy travel and lifestyle privileges through the Citigold Debit Mastercard. As individual offers may change, you can refer to Citi’s website for the latest benefits.

While the general Citigold qualification requirement is S$250,000, new customers must establish a Citigold relationship with at least S$350,000 in AUM to qualify for the current welcome rewards.

DBS Treasures

DBS Treasures is DBS’ priority banking programme with great card perks and lifestyle benefits, in addition to traditional wealth management services.

DBS Treasures members can sign up for the DBS Treasures Visa Debit Card, which offers:

• Up to 4% cashback on online food delivery
• Up to 3% cashback on local transport
• Up to 2% cashback on foreign currency spending
• 0.3% cashback on other Visa transactions
• No foreign exchange fees when the card is linked to a DBS My Account and payment is made using the relevant foreign currency balance

The higher cashback rates require at least S$500 in monthly Visa spending and cash withdrawals of no more than S$400 during the same month.

DBS Treasures also gives members access to DBS relationship managers and their suite of investment services, including a suite of sophisticated solutions to grow, protect and pass on your wealth. 

Find out how the DBS CIO team is positioning for volatile markets here. 

Read our experience as a DBS Treasures customer growing and safeguarding our wealth.

To join DBS Treasures, you must qualify as an Accredited Investor and maintain at least S$350,000 in investible assets.

Read our review of DBS Treasures Priority Banking here. 

HSBC Premier

HSBC Premier is HSBC’s priority banking programme with a focus on wealth planning too. 

Members can gain access to HSBC’s relationship managers and receive personalised wealth management solutions, including legacy planning and tax advisory solutions.

One unique aspect about HSBC’s priority banking programme is the ability to extend selected Premier privileges to your spouse and children aged 18 and above without requiring them to maintain a separate Premier balance.

In addition to its wealth-planning services, HSBC Premier offers international banking support, including Global Money Transfers across more than 60 countries and assistance with opening an overseas account in over 30 destinations.

HSBC Premier customers can also apply for the HSBC Premier Mastercard, which is offered exclusively to Premier customers. Its current privileges include:

• Up to 1.4 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spent locally
• Up to 2.3 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spent overseas
• Unlimited airport lounge access for the principal cardholder and up to three supplementary cardholders
• Up to eight complimentary airport limousine rides
• Complimentary travel insurance
• Selected one-for-one dining, hotel and entertainment privileges

Premier customers who maintain a total relationship balance of at least S$200,000 can also receive an annual fee waiver on the card.

HSBC Premier requires a minimum AUM of S$200K.

Standard Chartered Priority Banking

Standard Chartered’s priority banking offers a good mix of investments, savings, and lifestyle benefits in addition to the wealth management solutions typically available for priority banking programmes.

With their priority banking, you can sign up for Standard Chartered’s Wealth$aver account and earn up to 2.80% annual interest. You can also receive recognition of your Priority Banking status across 20 markets and make international transfers to more than 50 markets, enjoy preferential rates on their online equities platform and receive special waivers on selected fees and charges. 

You can also participate in their 360° Rewards programme and earn rewards points on card spending and product holdings, including mortgage, selected investments, deposits and online transactions.

Their Priority Banking Visa Infinite Credit Card offers air miles, travel insurance, concierge services and access to selected dining and lifestyle offers.

Customers who meet the relevant wealth requirements may also receive complimentary airport lounge visits through Priority Pass.

You can qualify with S$200K in deposits and investments or at least S$1.5 million in housing loans.

Read our review of Standard Chartered Priority Banking here. 

UOB Privilege Banking

UOB Privilege Banking is UOB’s offering in this segment of the market, offering plenty of perks and benefits from travel, dining and lifestyle, to education and wellness.

UOB Privilege Banking members can also sign up for the UOB Privilege Banking card, which gives 2 air miles per dollar on overseas dining and retail.

UOB also has quite the repository of perks in the dining and lifestyle segment. 

For example, UOB frequently offers dining benefits such as up to 20% off dining bill at selected restaurants in Pan Pacific and PARKROYAL hotels in Singapore, The Fullerton Hotels Singapore, and more. 

Making it a popular choice among those looking for a well-rounded experience. 

For those interested, a minimum AUM of S$350K is needed to bank with UOB Privilege Banking.

Maybank Premier

Maybank Premier offers wealth advisory, regional banking services and access to the Maybank Premier Save Up Programme.

You can also apply for the Maybank Premier World Mastercard, which offers:

• Up to 10X TREATS Points, equivalent to four air miles per S$1, at selected merchants
• Two complimentary Plaza Premium Lounge visits per calendar year without a minimum spending requirement
• Additional lounge visits after spending at least S$1,000 in a single transaction
• Access to a 24-hour Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle service for travel arrangements and lifestyle requests

The card also provides access to selected Mastercard travel, dining and golf privileges.

A minimum of S$300,000 in deposits and/or investments is required to qualify for Maybank Premier.

OCBC Premier Banking

OCBC Premier Banking provides wealth advisory, deposit and investment solutions to customers.

You can choose from cards such as the OCBC Premier VOYAGE Card, Premier Visa Infinite Credit Card and Premier World Elite Debit Card.

The OCBC Premier World Elite Debit Card is exclusive to Premier Banking customers who maintain the required average account balance. Its benefits include:

• An unlimited 1% rebate in selected categories after spending at least S$400 per month
• Access to more than 1,400 airport lounges through DragonPass
• Complimentary travel insurance when air tickets are purchased using the card
• Mastercard shopping, dining and travel privileges

Selected rebate categories include online shopping, transport, fast food, convenience stores and foreign currency transactions.

A minimum of S$350,000 in qualifying assets is required to qualify for OCBC Premier Banking.

CIMB Preferred Banking

CIMB Preferred Banking offers its customers a wide range of wealth management solutions that are supported by a variety of insurance and investment companies. 

You can receive Wealth Management advice and recommendations from a dedicated Relationship Manager, supported by a team of specialists.

Through CIMB Preferred Family Banking, customers can nominate up to three immediate family members to receive Preferred privileges. Each nominated family member must maintain at least S$5,000 in total relationship balance.

You can also get instantaneous funds transfer between Singapore and Malaysia. 

To qualify for CIMB Preferred, you need a TRB of S$250,000 or at least S$1 million mortgage with CIMB. 

Best priority banking accounts with the most attractive sign-up rewards 

While choosing a priority banking programme often is a matter of personal preferences, many offer attractive sign up bonuses for signing up and depositing your initial capital to begin a priority relationship with them.

Also, the headline reward advertised by each bank may not be entirely in cash. It can include interest earned on deposits, vouchers, fund units, card rewards or incentives tied to investments and insurance purchases.

The reward varies according to your deposit tier:

Best priority banking accounts with highest fixed deposit rates

Some banks may also offer priority banking customers a higher interest rate for fixed deposit accounts.

For example, existing Citigold customers can earn up to 1.40% p.a. on a three-month SGD time deposit or 1.45% p.a. on a six-month SGD time deposit if they qualify as Accredited Investors. New-to-bank customers placing at least S$1.5 million can earn up to 1.65% p.a. for three months.

This is above the fixed deposit rate of up to 0.70% per annum offered to their non-priority banking customers. 

You can find out how these fixed deposit rates compare to the best fixed deposit rates in Singapore here.

Best priority banking accounts with highest preferential interest rates on savings accounts

Priority banking customers may also receive preferential interest rates on selected savings accounts.

Best priority banking accounts with additional rewards for invest or insure

If you're aiming to enhance your wealth through the bank's wealth and insurance options, it's essential to identify which banks offer the best value for your investment.

We've compared priority banking deals that offer rewards for expanding your portfolio within the bank. With everyone having different preferences, you can choose the option that suits you best.

Among the banks compared, only Citi, DBS, HSBC, Maybank, Standard Chartered and UOB provide extra rewards to customers who purchase eligible investments or insurance products with them.

Best priority banking rewards for home loans

Next, let us look at the additional rewards available when priority banking customers take up a home loan.

Citigold and HSBC Premier currently offer home-loan benefits that are linked to or enhanced by their priority banking relationships. 

Citigold rewards qualifying borrowers with additional savings interest, while HSBC Premier offers preferential rates and a direct refinancing incentive.

What is the difference between Priority Banking and Private Banking?

While both Priority Banking and Private Banking are considered VIPs by the banks, Private Banking is a tier higher than Priority Banking. 

To qualify, you will need to have assets in the range of millions. Similar to Priority Banking, the asset needs to be liquid and investable. So if you are thinking about using your million dollar HDB flat as part of the $1 million, that doesn’t quite qualify in most cases.

What should you consider when selecting a Priority Banking account?

Qualifying requirements

To have more than $200,000 of investable assets is a tall ask for many of us. 

Therefore, if you are really keen on getting your hands on a Priority Banking account, the fastest way is to find the one that has the lowest barrier to entry. 

For instance, if you are already planning to invest in a condo and need mortgage financing of at least $1,000,000, then CIMB Preferred would let you enter into the Priority Banking world with that alone.

Perks and privileges

Importantly, what’s the point of being a Priority Banking customer without getting some perks and/or privileges? 

If you don’t get some good perks out of a Priority Banking account, then there really isn’t any point for you to get locked-in with the bank right?

What would Beansprout do?

If you are seeking preferential treatment such as preferential interest rates on deposits or loan, priority queues and a dedicated relationship manager to speak to, starting a priority banking relationship can bring one closer to your financial goals.

We would consider the qualification requirements as well as perks and privileges when deciding which priority banking account to open.

I would first consider how much I am willing to place with the bank and whether I can maintain the required balance over the longer term.

I would then compare the programme’s ongoing deposit rates, wealth-management fees, international banking services and lifestyle privileges.

For welcome offers, Citi provides the largest cash fresh-fund reward at the highest funding tiers, while DBS and Standard Chartered offer tiered cash rewards from lower amounts. Read our full Citigold review here.

For customers depositing below S$1 million, DBS Treasures offers a tiered welcome reward of up to S$1,300 cash when you deposit at least S$500,000 and invest or insure at least S$100,000. Eligible customers can also receive an additional reward of up to S$1,000 when they opt in as an Accredited Investor. Read our full DBS Treasures review here.

If I am looking for the best priority banking account with a higher fixed deposit rate compared to non-priority banking customers, Citigold offers up to 1.40% p.a. on a 3-month SGD fixed deposit with a minimum of S$10,000. Read our full Citigold review here. 

CIMB Preferred offers the highest listed 9 or 12 month fixed deposit rate at up to 1.50% p.a. for 9 or 12 months.

With one of the lower asset requirements among priority banking programmes, Standard Chartered Priority is accessible from just S$200,000 in assets. Find out more with our Standard Chartered Priority review here. 

For home loans, HSBC Premier offers a direct refinancing incentive.

Ultimately, I would choose a priority banking programme that complements how I already save, invest and manage my finances, rather than changing my financial behaviour simply to earn a promotional reward.

If I qualify as an Accredited Investor, I may also gain access to a wider range of investment products. However, I would still assess whether these products fit my goals, risk tolerance and portfolio before investing. Find out how you can qualify as an accredited investor.

Within Beansprout’s Four Pots of Wealth, priority banking deposits may form part of my Liquidity Pot. I would compare their preferential rates with the best savings accounts in Singapore and the best SGD fixed deposit rates to find the right balance between returns and accessibility.

If I am comfortable holding US dollars and taking on foreign exchange risk, I may also compare the best USD fixed deposit rates.

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