CIMB StarSaver Account Review: Great For Large Balances

Looking for a savings account that pays more the more you save — without the usual hoops to jump through?

If you’ve ever felt tired of jumping through hoops just to earn a decent interest rate on your savings, the CIMB StarSaver Account might be the breath of fresh air you’ve been looking for. Unlike most tiered savings accounts in Singapore that demand credit card spending, bill payments or salary crediting, this one takes a different path. It offers a simple, fuss-free way to grow your savings — especially if you have a sizeable sum parked aside.

Whether you’re a high-income earner looking to maximise returns, or someone who just wants an easy-to-manage secondary savings account for emergencies, read on to find out if the CIMB StarSaver Account is worth your while in 2025.

Product details

• Enjoy attractive interest rates up to 3.30%* p.a. without multiple conditions

• No fall-below fee, monthly service fees or multiple conditions

• Hassle-free Online Account Opening process

• Earn 3.30%* p.a. with no cap for balances above S$250,000

• Insured up to S$100,000 by SDIC. Additional T&Cs apply.

• Minimum initial deposit of S$1,000

SingSaver’s take

The CIMB StarSaver Account is ideal for individuals with substantial savings who prefer a straightforward approach to earning interest. With its tiered interest rates, the account rewards higher balances without requiring additional actions like salary crediting or card spending. It's a suitable option for those looking to park large sums without the hassle of meeting multiple criteria.

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The CIMB StarSaver (Savings) Account is designed for simplicity. Unlike accounts that require monthly card spending or salary crediting, this one offers a tiered interest rate structure that increases as your balance grows — no extra conditions involved. The more you save, the more interest you earn, with rates starting at 1.50% p.a. and climbing up to 3.50% p.a. for balances above S$250,000.

Interest is calculated daily and credited monthly, which makes it an effective option for parking emergency funds or idle cash you don’t need to use immediately. The account has no fall-below fees, no minimum salary requirement, and no need to link it to any other banking products, making it especially attractive for fuss-free savers or high-balance individuals who don’t want to micro-manage their accounts.

Opening a CIMB StarSaver Account is entirely online via MyInfo, and there’s no need to visit a branch. It's also insured up to S$75,000 by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC), giving users additional peace of mind. In short, it’s a straightforward, hands-off way to earn a decent return — provided you have enough saved up to hit the higher interest tiers.

Note:

• These rates are applied on a tiered basis, meaning only the portion of your balance that falls within each tier earns that tier’s interest rate.

• Interest is credited monthly and calculated daily based on your account’s end-of-day balance.

• Rates may be subject to change by CIMB.

#1 No hoops to jump through

One of the main reasons savers love the CIMB StarSaver Account is that you earn interest without needing to perform a list of actions every month. There’s no need to credit your salary, no minimum card spend, and no requirement to make bill payments. Simply maintain a higher account balance, and you’ll unlock better rates.

This hands-off approach makes the account incredibly convenient, especially for people who are already juggling multiple financial commitments. It also reduces the chances of losing out on bonus interest just because you forgot to meet one of the criteria.

#2 No fall-below fees

Unlike other savings accounts that charge a fall-below fee if your balance dips below a certain threshold, the CIMB StarSaver Account doesn’t penalise you for withdrawing funds when you need to.

This makes it ideal as an emergency savings account. You can build up your rainy-day fund without worrying about dipping into it occasionally. It's also a great fit for anyone looking to maintain liquidity while still enjoying some interest.

#3 Increasing interest with higher balance — perfect for high-earners

The CIMB StarSaver Account rewards savers who keep more in their account. While the base interest may start relatively low, it increases with your balance size — peaking at a competitive rate once you hold S$250,000 and above.

This tiered structure makes it appealing for those with larger savings who are not keen on the complexity of typical high-yield savings accounts. It’s a simple way to put your idle funds to work while keeping them readily accessible.

The CIMB StarSaver Account is best suited for specific types of savers who want a simple yet rewarding experience.

Best for:

• High-net-worth individuals or those with more than S$250,000 in liquid savings will benefit most from the top-tier interest rate.

• Users who dislike juggling multiple conditions just to earn interest — no credit card spend or salary crediting required.

• People who want a fuss-free, secondary savings account to park emergency funds, with no fall-below fees to worry about.

Not ideal for:

• New savers, students, or anyone with a smaller balance, as the interest rates only become attractive with a higher deposit amount.

• Those who prefer to optimise for the highest possible interest via spending or salary crediting strategies might find better options elsewhere.

• Users looking for a comprehensive financial ecosystem that includes investments, insurance or rewards will find the StarSaver more limited.

If you’re still thinking of which high-yield savings account to pick, here’s a side-by-side comparison of the interest rates you’ll be able to earn with other strong contenders.

The practical interest to be earned is based on an average Singaporean who credits their salary of S$4,000 to their savings account, spends S$500 on the corresponding credit card, saves at least S$500 monthly, and has S$30,000 in their savings account. Here’s how CIMB’s solution fares against some of its competitors out there.

Comparing how the interest is earned really shows how simple the StarSaver’s tier structure is, as interest is earned with no conditions. Most other accounts, while offering higher interest rates, require minimum spending on a credit card or salary crediting to unlock these rewards.

UOB One Account

The UOB One Account is tailored for individuals who can consistently meet specific criteria, such as crediting a monthly salary of at least S$1,600 and spending a minimum of S$500 on eligible UOB credit or debit cards. By fulfilling these conditions, account holders can earn an effective interest rate of up to 3.30% p.a. on balances up to S$150,000. This structure is advantageous for those who actively manage their finances and can commit to the required transactions.

In contrast, the CIMB StarSaver offers a more straightforward approach. It provides tiered interest rates that increase with higher account balances, without any additional actions like salary crediting or card spending. This makes it an attractive option for individuals who prefer a hassle-free savings account, especially those with substantial balances seeking competitive interest rates without the need to meet multiple conditions.

UOB One Account interest rate calculation

*The interest rates and criteria are based on information in 2025. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, please refer to the respective banks’ official websites or contact their customer service.

Product details

• Earn up to 7.8% interest p.a. on your first S$75,000 when you credit a min. salary of S$1,600 or make 3 GIRO transactions monthly and make a min. credit card spend of S$500

• Choose between salary crediting or GIRO transactions to score higher interest rates, lowered salary requirement of $1,600

• Earn up to 10% cash rebate when you spend on your UOB One Credit Card or Debit Card

• Link Mighty FX to your One Account for competitive exchange rates

• UOB Mighty mobile app allows for tracking of transactions that earn bonus interest

• Insured up to S$75,000 by SDIC. Additional T&Cs apply.

• 6-month fall-below fee waiver for accounts opened online

• Read our full review of the UOB One Account

• Fall-below fee of S$5 if average monthly balance falls below S$1,000

• Early closure fees of S$30 if account is closed within 6 months

SingSaver’s take

The UOB One Account is tailored for salaried workers seeking a straightforward path to higher interest rates. By simply crediting your salary and spending on a UOB card, you can unlock competitive interest rates. This account is suitable for individuals who prefer simplicity without compromising on returns.

Read full review

OCBC 360 Account

The OCBC 360 Account rewards customers who engage with the bank across various products and services. By crediting a salary, saving, spending on OCBC credit cards, and purchasing insurance or investment products, account holders can achieve a maximum interest rate of up to 6.30% p.a. on the first S$100,000 of their balance. However, for most users who fulfill only the salary crediting, saving, and spending criteria, the effective interest rate stands at 3.30% p.a.

On the other hand, the CIMB StarSaver simplifies the savings process by offering competitive interest rates based solely on the account balance. This eliminates the need for customers to engage in multiple banking activities to earn higher interest, making it a suitable choice for those who prefer a more passive approach to saving.

OCBC 360 Account interest rate calculation

Product details

• Earn bonus interest p.a. on the first S$75,000 of your account balance

• Score higher interest rates when you credit your salary, spend on your credit card, invest, insure, and increase your account balance every month

• Insured up to S$75,000 by SDIC. Additional T&Cs apply.

• Read our full review of the OCBC 360 Account

• Fall-below fee of S$2 if average daily balance falls below S$3,000 (first-year waived)

• Early closure fees of S$30 if account is closed within 6 months.

SingSaver’s take

The OCBC 360 Account is a versatile option for salaried workers aiming to maximise their savings. By crediting your salary and engaging in additional banking activities such as spending on OCBC credit cards, purchasing insurance, or investing, you can unlock higher interest rates. This account is particularly beneficial for those who prefer a structured approach to enhancing their savings.

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CIMB FastSaver

The CIMB FastSaver is designed for individuals who can meet certain criteria to maximize their interest earnings. By crediting a salary of at least S$1,000 and spending a minimum of S$800 on the CIMB Visa Signature Credit Card, account holders can earn up to 3.19% p.a. on the first S$25,000 of their balance. This account is ideal for those who can consistently meet these conditions and are looking to optimise returns on lower balances.

In comparison, the CIMB StarSaver caters to individuals with higher balances who prefer not to manage multiple requirements. It offers tiered interest rates that increase with the account balance, providing a more straightforward savings solution without the need for additional transactions or commitments.

CIMB FastSaver Account interest rate calculation

Product details

• Enjoy interest rates of up to 3.30% p.a. without multiple conditions

• No fall-below fee, monthly service fees or multiple conditions

• Insured up to S$100,000 by SDIC. Additional T&Cs apply.

• Read our full review of the CIMB FastSaver Account

• Minimum initial deposit of S$1,000

• Early closure fees of S$50 if account is closed within 6 months.

SingSaver’s take

The CIMB FastSaver Account caters to individuals seeking a no-frills savings account with the flexibility to earn higher interest through optional salary crediting and card spending. It's particularly beneficial for those with moderate savings who can meet the additional criteria to maximise their returns.

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To apply for the CIMB StarSaver (Savings) Account, you need to be at least 16 years old and make a minimum deposit of S$1,000. But since CIMB doesn’t charge a fall-below fee, you can withdraw the money anytime. If you’re below 16 years old, you need to open an In-Trust account with a parent or legal guardian.

• Step 1: Apply through MyInfo

• Step 2: Upon successful application, activate your account by transferring a minimum deposit of S$1,000 via FAST

• Step 3: Download CIMB Clicks to access your account and set up your Digital Token

>> MORE: How to open a bank account online in Singapore

Are there any ongoing promotions?

As of May 2025, CIMB does not appear to be running any specific promotions for the StarSaver Account. However, promotions may be offered seasonally or via CIMB’s online banking platform.

To stay updated, keep an eye on the CIMB promotions page or check back with SingSaver for exclusive offers.

Read reviews of the various savings accounts in Singapore and what each account has to offer to find the best product for your needs: 

• Read the OCBC 360 Savings Account Review

• Read the UOB One Account Review

• Read the DBS Multiplier Account Review

• Read the Maybank Save Up Programme Review

• Read the CIMB FastSaver Savings Account Review

• Read the CIMB StarSaver Savings Account Review

• Read the Standard Chartered Bonus$aver Review

• Read the OCBC FRANK Savings Account Review

• Read the HSBC Everyday Global Account Review