Best Savings Accounts & Child Development Accounts (CDA) For Kids In Singapore 2023

Marissa Saini

Marissa Saini

Last updated 21 June, 2023
 

Don't know where to park your child's collected angbao money every year? Fret not, we’ve compiled the best savings accounts in Singapore that’ll give your kids a headstart on their finances.

 

As the saying goes, good saving habits start young.

Li Chun falls on the beginning of Spring and is believed to be a day of good paw-tune to ‘grow’ one’s wealth. Translate that to today’s context, and that means making a well-timed deposit into you and/or your child’s bank account.

While this tradition takes a page out of the basic money management handbook, it also serves as an important lesson for the little ones to start growing their savings from their ang bao money collection instead of spending it unnecessarily.

Here's an overview of the content we'll cover:


 

 

Why is it important to deposit in a savings account?

If this is your first foray into money parenting, let us quell any jitters you may be feeling. Eastspring Investments’s recent study showed that over half of the 10,000 parents surveyed doubt if they’ve been successful role models for their kids when it comes to money management. But you’re definitely on the right track by opening and subsequently depositing their ang bao collection.

Not only does it help to build up funds securely with the help of attractive interest rates — a perk no piggy bank can offer — it also teaches them invaluable saving habits, the very foundation one needs to develop a good grip on their finances.

Moreover, when your child comes of age, you can easily hand the reins over to them as they start navigating the realm of online banking, learn to make their own deposits and handle transactions with a debit or credit card

In time, they’ll be able to bump up their interest rate when they convert to a high-yield savings account once they reach the age requirement.


 

 


Best saving accounts for your kids

Here, we’ve put together the best savings account for this occasion. 

Name of Savings Account
Interest Rate
Key Benefits
Minimum Deposit
Age Requirement for Child
Fees & Charges
POSB My Account
0.05% p.a. base interest
- Start an account with $1 gift deposit
- Able to convert My Account to a DBS Multiplier Account (earn up to 3.8% p.a.)
- No min. balance
- POSB Smart Buddy (redirect unused pocket money to parent)
- Exchange and save up to 13 different currencies
- Earn instant cashback when using DBS Visa Debit Card in the future
- Get free POPULAR student membership for one year
No initial deposit required
No age requirement
- Account fee of $2 per month for account holders above 16 years old
 
- No coin deposit fee (Pocket money-friendly!)
OCBC Mighty Savers Account
0.05% p.a. base interest
 
Up to 0.20% p.a.
- Account holders get priority queue service on Sundays, at any ‘Sunday at OCBC’ branch
- No min. balance
- No coin deposit fee
No initial deposit required
Below 16 years old
Service fee waived
UOB Junior Savers Account
0.05% p.a. base interest
 
Up to 0.10% p.a.
- Make monthly transfers to the UOB Junior Savers Account from an existing UOB account
- Convert Junior Savers Account to a regular UOB account at 16 years old
- Get free insurance coverage — up to 100% of the account balance depending on amount
$500
Below 16 years old
$2 minimum balance fee if balance is below $500
CIMB Junior Saver Account
0.20% p.a. base interest
 
Up to 0.40% p.a.
- Attractive base interest rate
- Can register for account online
$1,000
Below 12 years old
- Min. amount to earn interest: $1,000
 
- No fall below fee
- Early account closure fee (within 6 months): $50
- No monthly account fee
Maybank Youngstarz Account
0.1875% p.a. base interest
 
Up to 0.3750% p.a.
- Earn up to 3X interest rate with Maybank Family Plus
- Account holders enjoy privileges during birthday month
- Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease hospitalisation and outpatient insurance (if min. balance is $5,000)
- Eligible for Personal Accident (PA) Insurance (if min. balance is S$5,000)
$10
Below 16 years old
- Early account closure fee (within 6 months): $30
 
- No fall below fee  
Standard Chartered e$aver Kids Account
Up to 0.05% p.a.
- No min. balance
- No lock-in periods; flexible withdrawals
No initial deposit required
Below 18 years old
- Min. monthly contribution = S$50
 
- No monthly service fee
- No fall below fee
- No early account closure fee (within 6 months)
Citibank Junior Savings Account
0.05% p.a. base interest rate
 
Up to 0.10% p.a.
Receive international Citibank ATM card upon turning 15 years old
No initial deposit required
Below 18 years old
- Service fee waived
 
- No fall below fee*

*Citibank fall-below fee of S$15 applies if (a) parent also has a Citibank account and (b) Total Relationship Balance (TRB) between child and parent dips below S$15,000.

POSB My Account

Is there a more approachable financial institution than POSB? 

A true blue icon that’s practically embroidered in our nation’s fabric, you may want to consider opening up POSB’s My Account for your kid.

Account Balance Interest Rates (p.a.)
First S$10,000 0.050%
Next S$90,000 0.050%
Next S$250,000 0.050%
Next S$650,000 0.050%
Balance exceeding S$1 million 0.050%

Min. initial deposit: None
Coin deposit fee: N.A.
Service fee: N.A.
Fall-below fee: S$2 account fee charged after 16 years old
Age requirement: N.A.

Benefits include:

  • $1 gift deposit
  • Convert to DBS Multiplier Account and earn up to 3.8% p.a.
  • No initial deposit
  • No min. balance required
  • Link parent's account to child's savings using POSB Smart Buddy app*
  • Exchange and save up to 13 different currencies
  • Earn instant cashback on DBS Visa Debit Card in the future
  • Free POPULAR 1-year student membership

*POSB Smart Buddy card or watch is a payments wearable device or item that allows your child to unlock contactless transactions. Download the app to track and control your child's expenses.

Why POSB My Account: The wide range of perks offered beats the other contenders on this list — ranging from multi-currency capabilities, smart device and app integrations to monitor spending, complimentary POPULAR membership for a year, and even future cashback earnings upon acquiring a debit card.

OCBC Mighty Savers Account

Condition Interest Rate (p.a.)
Base interest 0.05%
Bonus interest
Min. deposit of S$50 + no withdrawals during same month
0.05%
CDA Advantage Bonus Interest
Additional interest for OCBC CDA holders
0.10%
  Total = 0.20%

Min. initial deposit: None
Coin deposit fee: N.A.
Service fee: N.A.
Fall-below fee: N.A.
Age requirement: Under 16 years old

Benefits include:

  • Priority queue service on Sundays at any 'Sunday at OCBC' branch
  • No initial deposit
  • No min. balance required

Why OCBC Mighty Savers Account: Shorter queues, enjoy decent 0.20% interest rate and minimal account maintenance needed with zero pesky fees. 

Note: Avoid making any withdrawals within the month and open an OCBC Child Development Account (CDA) to be eligible for the higher tier interest rates — easy peasy!

UOB Junior Savers Account 

Account Balance Interest Rate (p.a.)
First S$15,000 0.05%
Next S$85,000 0.05%
Next S$250,000 0.05%
Above S$350,000 0.10%

Min. initial deposit: S$500
Min. average daily balance: S$500
Premature account closure fee (within 6 months): S$30
Coin deposit fee: N.A.
Service fee: N.A.
Fall-below fee: S$2 if balance is below S$500
Age requirement: Under 16 years old

Benefits include:

  • Monthly transfers to Junior Savers account from an existing UOB account
  • Convert to regular UOB account at 16 years old
  • Receive UOB Direct Visa Debit/ATM card and earn extra rebates and discounts
  • Fuss-free mobile banking and internet banking
  • Free insurance coverage of up to 100%*
Deposit Balance Tiers (Average Daily Balance) Coverage Amount
S$3,000 to S$9,999.99 50%
S$10,000 to S$49,999.99 70%
S$50,000 and beyond 100%

Why UOB Junior Savers Account: Earn up to 0.10% interest rate (min. $500 deposit) and receive guaranteed insurance coverage with coverage scaled according to deposit balance.

The ability to set monthly fund transfers from a UOB account to your child’s Junior Savers Account makes supplementing your child's pocket money convenient.

*Average daily balance of S$3,000 every month is mandatory to qualify for free insurance coverage. Must be maintained for over 6 months or since account opening, whichever comes first.

CIMB Junior Saver Account

Min. initial deposit: S$1,000
Premature account closure fee (within 6 months): S$50
Service fee: N.A.
Fall-below fee: N.A.
Age requirement: Under 12 years old

Account Balance Interest Rate (p.a.)
First S$200,000 0.20%
Next S$800,000 0.40%
S$1,000,000 and beyond 0.20%

Benefits include:

  • Attractive base 0.20% p.a. interest rate
  • Can register for account online
  • Minimal account maintenance needed

Why CIMB Junior Saver Account: Starting 0.20% p.a. (min. S$1,000 deposit) is among the highest base rates among kids savings accounts, and is on par with the highest interest tier on other banks' accounts.

There are zero fall-below fees and account maintenance fees but $50 will be applied for premature account closure within 6 months of initial opening.

Maybank Youngstarz Account

Min. initial deposit: S$10
Premature account closure fee*: S$50
Service fee: N.A.
Fall-below fee: N.A.
Age requirement: Under 16 years old

Account Balance Interest Rate (p.a.)
First S$3,000 0.1875%
Next S$47,000 0.3125%
S$50,000 and beyond 0.3750%

Benefits include:

  • Earn up to 3X interest rate with Maybank Family Plus
  • Birthday month privileges
  • Hospitalisation and outpatient insurance for Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease *
  • Eligibility for Personal Accident (PA) Insurance*

*Min. balance of S$5,000 required

Why Maybank Youngstarz Account: It offers one of the highest interest rates (0.3750% p.a.) on the lowest bank account balance (> S$50,000), and your kid will be privy to exclusive birthday privileges. 

Complimentary insurance coverage for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Hospitalisation and outpatient care along with worldwide PA insurance coverage are definite incentives as long as the account balance contains at least S$5,000.

Standard Chartered e$aver Kids Account

Min. initial deposit: None
Min. monthly contribution: S$50
Premature account closure fee: N.A.
Service fee: N.A.
Fall-below fee: N.A.
Age requirement: Under 18 years old

Account Balance Interest Rate (p.a.)
First S$50,000 0.05%
Next S$150,000 0.10%
S$200,000 and beyond 0.15%

Note: Interest is calculated daily and paid every 6 months.

Benefits include:

  • No initial deposit
  • No min. balance required
  • No lock-in periods; flexible withdrawals
  • Fuss-free account maintenance

Why Standard Chartered e$aver Kids Account: With the understanding that every child's spending habits differ, the e$aver Kid's Account's management is kept extremely fuss-free.

Its biggest advantages are the absence of pesky account fees, no min. account balance and high liquidity.

Citibank Junior Savings Account

https://www.freepnglogos.com/pics/citibank-png-logo-brands

Min. initial deposit: None
Service fee: N.A.
Fall-below fee: S$15 if Total Relationship Balance (TRB) of parent's and child's accounts is below S$15,000
Age requirement: Under 18 years old

Account Balance Interest Rate (p.a.)
First S$30,000 0.05%
Beyond S$30,000 0.10%

Benefits include:

  • Obtain an international Citi ATM card upon 15 years old
  • Both online and phone banking available

Why Citibank Junior Savings Account: It has relatively low balance criteria of S$30,000 and above in order to get 0.10% p.a. interest rate. Account management is also kept to a minimum and your child stands to receive a complimentary ATM card upon turning 15 years old.

 

 

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What about Child Development Accounts (CDA)?

Child Development Account (CDA) refers to a special savings account that's under the Baby Bonus Scheme as a token of gratitude for contributing to the nation's desperate birthrate.

The aim of the scheme is to provide financial assurance and support to help parents in offsetting some early childhood expenses. The scope of these includes education and healthcare costs at approved institutions.

Examples include:

  • Childcare centres, kindergartens
  • Special Needs Schools
  • Insurance providers
  • Providers of Early Intervention Programmes, Assistive Technological Devices
  • Medical institutions like hospitals and clinics
  • Optical shops and pharmacies
  • MediShield or Medisave-approved Private Integrated Plans

Parents can open CDAs at POSB/DBS, OCBC or UOB banks.

Here's what every newborn can receive as part of CDA benefits:

  • Cash Gift: Separate from the CDA benefits. Cash gift amount depends on Singaporean child's order of birth. Will be disbursed in five instalments over 18 months.
  • First Step Grant: Applicable to all Singaporean children born or estimated birth from 24 March 2016 onwards. Grant is automatically credited after opening CDA account. No initial deposit required.
  • Maximum Government Co-Matching: Also known as dollar-for-dollar matching of CDA savings by the government, up to the maximum co-matching amount.

    E.g. If you deposit S$3,000 into the CDA, the government will deposit S$3,000 equally into the same CDA.

    These savings can be tapped on for the aforementioned services before 31 December of your child's 12th birth year.
Baby Bonus Scheme
Birth Order One-Off Baby Support Grant^ Cash Gift* Child Development Account (CDA)
First Step Grant (No initial deposit) Max. Government Co-Matching
1st child S$3,000 S$8,000 S$3,000 Up to S$3,000
2nd child Up to S$6,000**
(increased from S$3,000)
3rd & 4th child S$10,000 Up to S$9,000
5th child Up to S$15,000

^Applicable to Singaporean babies born or estimated birth from 1 October 2020 to 30 September 2022. Those born before 1 October 2020 can still qualify if they're eligible for the Cash Gift*.
*Applicable to Singaporean babies born from 1 January 2015.
**All Singaporean babies that are (a) the second child, and (b) born from 1 January 2021 onwards will be eligible for this increased dollar-to-dollar matching.

Breakdown of Cash Gift
Time Period Amount of Cash Given
1st & 2nd child 3rd child onwards
7 to 10 days after joining scheme S$3,000 S$4,000
After child turns 6 months S$1,500 S$2,000
After child turns 12 months S$1,500 S$2,000
After child turns 15 months S$1,000 S$1,000
After child turns 18 months S$1,000 S$1,000
Total S$8,000 S$10,000

Note: Couples with no official certification proof of marriage are not eligible for the One-Off Baby Support Grant or the Baby Bonus Cash Gift.
Their child will only qualify for the CDA benefits — First Step Grant and Government Co-Matching if born from 1 September 2016 onwards.

Birth Order Breakdown of CDA Benefits
First Step Grant Max. Government Co-Matching Total
1st child S$3,000 S$3,000 S$6,000
2nd child S$6,000 S$9,000
3rd & 4th child S$9,000 each S$12,000 each
5th child onwards S$15,000 each S$18,000 each

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Best Child Development Accounts (CDA) for your kids

Here, we’ve put together the best savings account for this occasion. 

Name of CDA Interest Rate Key Benefits Linked Bank Accounts

POSB Smiley CDA

1% p.a. base interest

 

Up to 2% p.a.

- POSB Baby Bonus Card perks

 

- Exclusive POSB Parent Starter Kit

POSB Reserved Accounts

OCBC CDA

1% p.a. base interest

 

Up to 2% p.a.

- Up to 50% discounts across 14 merchants using OCBC Baby Bonus Card

 

- More monetary growth by funding OCBC's child Mighty Savers Account to earn up to 2% p.a.

Mighty Savers Account

UOB CDA

1% p.a. base interest

 

Up to 2% p.a.

- UOB Baby Bonus Card perks

 

- Track CDA funds using UOB TMRW

NIL

POSB Smiley CDA

Account Balance Interest Rate (p.a.)
First S$10,000 1.00%
Next S$40,000 2.00%
S$50,000 and beyond 0.05%

Benefits include:

  • Up to 2% p.a. interest rate
  • Entitled to learning, lifestyle and health/wellbeing perks with POSB Baby Bonus NETS Card*
  • Child's CDA will be bundled with parent's Reserved Accounts
    (i.e. My Account — Personal and/or My Account — Joint-Alternate)
  • Exclusive POSB Parent Starter Kit promotion^
    • 1 x Nursing Shawl by Philips
    • 1 x Pampers Premium Care Tape Diapers — Newborn Sze by P&G
    • 1 x Disposable Breast Pads by Philips
    • 1 x Breast Milk Storage Cup by Philips
Source: POSB Parent Starter Kit

*Valid till 31 December 2022
^On a first-come-first-serve basis, limited to first 3,000 redemptions. While stocks last. Valid till 30 April 2022.

OCBC CDA

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is OCBC.png
Account Balance Interest Rate (p.a.)
First S$25,000 1%
Above S$25,000 2%

Benefits include:

UOB CDA

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is UOB.png
Account Balance Interest Rate (p.a.)
First S$25,000 1.00%
Next S$25,000 2.00%
S$50,000 and beyond 0.05%

Benefits include:

  • Up to 2% p.a. interest rate
  • Receive a Baby Bonus Card to make payments for child's needs
  • View, manage and track CDA anywhere using UOB TMRW

Our pick: OCBC CDA

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is OCBC.png

OCBC CDA offers better interest rates at 2% p.a. after the first S$25,000 deposited with interest cap on balance. A wider range of benefits and perks are also available through their Baby Bonus Card: learning and playing, health, childcare, shopping and dining.

OCBC considers your child's future savings (after 12 years old) by giving parents access to channel funds into Mighty Savers Account with over 0.20% p.a. Great for transitioning your kid from a CDA to use a proper savings account in their adolescence.

However, POSB Smiley CDA is a close second because of the exclusive Parent Starter Kit promotion it's running until 30 April 2022 only!


Child Savings Account vs. Child Development Account (CDA)

After all is said and done, there's a lot to digest and internalise for yourself. However, at this juncture, you must be wondering: what exactly is the difference between a normal child savings account and a CDA?

Well, allow us to enlighten you:

1. You cannot withdraw from CDA for unapproved purposes

As it's clear by now, CDA is used primarily for your baby's needs until he/she reaches the age of 12.

Moreover, CDA funds are only approved for a selected number of education and healthcare-related institutions and retailers by the government. Hence, you cannot withdraw money as and when you please without validation or approval.

Conversely, savings account definitely offer better liquidity and can be used for other miscellaneous funds that the CDA cannot cover.

2. Earlier age limit for CDA

Compared to many savings accounts, the bulk of the age limits typically ranges from 16 to 18 years old. This gives your child a longer runway to continue saving and even earn extra funds on the side (e.g. part-time or contract jobs) when they come of working age.

Whereas for CDAs, your child will hardly be legal to work at the end of 12 years old. The period of savings is no doubt shorter and your kid might not fully fathom or inculcate saving habits yet due to their pre-adolescence.

To facilitate the perfect transition from kid savings account to a formal savings account, we have a detailed guide on the best savings accounts in Singapore.

3. Extra monetary bonuses

green plant in clear glass cup
Source: micheile on Unsplash

Clearly, CDA offers greater incentives to grow your family because of the major bonuses and grants given per child. However, don't let this translate into unplanned pregnancy just for the extra perks.

A child is a precious life that requires consideration and planning before introducing them into the world.

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If you’re still having any doubts about your own ability to educate your kids about money, you’re far from alone in feeling this way.

The Eastspring Investments study found that nearly half (43%) of the parents surveyed are keen on improving their own financial literacy to become better role models for their children. 

Get started on the right financial foot by checking out The Ultimate Savings Guide today.


Help yourself to better financial shape in the new norm, with SingSaver's all-new Ultimate Savings Guide! Got your free copy yet?

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Your friendly neighbourhood cat enthusiast who enjoys not being broke. Spend less, save more is the name of the game. Firm believer that being financially savvy is not about the destination, but the friends you make along the way.

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