OCBC vs Trust Bank: Traditional Excellence vs Digital Innovation 2025
Comprehensive comparison between Singapore's established banking leader and innovative digital challenger. Explore savings rates, wealth management, digital experience, and overall value proposition.
OCBC Bank
Traditional Excellence
VS
Trust Bank
Digital Innovation
Quick Verdict
Choose OCBC if you want:
- • Highest savings rates (up to 3.05%)
- • Comprehensive wealth management
- • Full banking services (loans, investments)
- • Established reputation and stability
Choose Trust Bank if you want:
- • Simple, fee-free digital banking
- • No minimum balance requirements
- • Modern, intuitive app experience
- • Focus on basic banking needs only
Savings Account Comparison
OCBC 360 Account
Up to 3.05% p.a.
OCBC 360 with salary + 3 bonus categories
Minimum Balance: S$1,000
Rate Structure:
Base Rate:0.05% p.a. base rate
With Salary:1.2% p.a. with salary credit
Maximum Rate:3.05% p.a. with salary + 3 bonus categories
Bonus Categories (choose 3):
Spend
Pay
Grow
Insure
Invest
Loan
Qualifying Balance: S$50,000 qualifying balance
Trust Savings Account
Up to 1.5% p.a.
Trust Savings with deposit + spend requirements
Minimum Balance: S$0
Rate Structure:
Base Rate:0.05% p.a. base rate
With Deposit:1.0% p.a. with S$500 monthly deposit
Maximum Rate:1.5% p.a. with S$500 deposit + S$500 spend
Key Advantages:
No minimum balance
Simple requirements
Digital-first
Qualifying Balance: S$75,000 max qualifying balance
Annual Interest Earnings Analysis
S$10,000
Meeting requirements
OCBC: S$305
Trust: S$150
OCBC advantage: S$155
S$30,000
Meeting requirements
OCBC: S$915
Trust: S$450
OCBC advantage: S$465
S$50,000
Maximum OCBC qualifying
OCBC: S$1,525
Trust: S$750
OCBC advantage: S$775
S$75,000
Maximum Trust qualifying
OCBC: S$1,525
Trust: S$1,125
OCBC advantage: S$400
Savings Winner: OCBC 360 (for most balances)
OCBC 360 significantly outperforms Trust Bank with rates up to 3.05% vs 1.5%. The advantage is substantial across all balance levels. However, Trust Bank wins on simplicity with no minimum balance and easier requirements. OCBC is better for savers who can meet the bonus categories, while Trust Bank suits those wanting simplicity.
Digital Banking Experience
OCBC Digital
4.2/5
Core Features:
- Comprehensive mobile banking
- PayLah! digital wallet integration
- Investment portfolio tracking
- Bill payment automation
- Budget tracking and insights
- Cardless ATM withdrawal
- Frank by OCBC for youth
- Voice banking capabilities
Strengths
- • Full-service banking integration
- • Mature digital ecosystem
- • Multi-product management
- • Established user base
Limitations
- • Interface can be complex
- • Legacy system integration
- • Learning curve for new users
Trust Bank App
4.3/5
Core Features:
- Pure digital account opening
- AI-driven personalized insights
- Real-time expense categorization
- Goal-based savings automation
- Social spending features
- Instant money transfers
- Digital-first customer support
- Gamified financial wellness
Strengths
- • Intuitive user interface
- • Built from ground up for mobile
- • Fast and responsive
- • Modern design language
Limitations
- • Limited product range
- • Newer platform with fewer features
- • No legacy system integration
Digital Experience Winner: Trust Bank (for simplicity)
Trust Bank wins on user experience with its cleaner, more intuitive interface built from the ground up for mobile. OCBC offers more comprehensive features but with added complexity. The choice depends on whether you prioritize simplicity (Trust Bank) or comprehensive functionality (OCBC).
Wealth Management Services
OCBC Wealth Management
Premier Banking
S$200,000 AUM
Private Banking
S$1,000,000 AUM
Core Services:
- Dedicated relationship manager
- Investment advisory services
- Portfolio management
- Estate planning
- Tax planning
- Insurance solutions
Investment Products:
Unit trusts and mutual funds
Structured deposits
Bonds and fixed income
Alternative investments
Insurance products
Foreign exchange
Research: Award-winning investment research team
Coverage: Asia-Pacific markets expertise
Trust Bank Wealth Services
No wealth management services
Digital banking for everyday needs
Mass market digital banking
Current Alternatives:
- Partner referrals for investment products
- Educational content on financial planning
- Goal-based savings automation
- Basic financial wellness tools
Future Roadmap: Robo-advisory under consideration
Credit Card Offerings
OCBC Credit Cards
15+ different credit card options
OCBC 90°N
Miles Rate
1.2 miles per S$1
Annual Fee
S$196 (waivable)
Bonus Rate
2 miles per S$1 on travel/dining
Key Benefits
- • Complimentary airport transfers
- • Travel insurance
- • Lounge access
OCBC 365
Cashback Rate
0.3% base cashback
Annual Fee
S$196 (waivable)
Bonus Categories
3% on dining/petrol/groceries
Key Benefits
- • No minimum spend
- • Quarterly bonuses
- • Real-time rewards
Trust Credit Card
Single card, digital-first approach
Trust Credit Card
Cashback Rate
1% cashback on all spend
Annual Fee
S$0
Bonus Categories
Up to 3% on selected categories
Key Benefits
- • No foreign transaction fees
- • Instant approval
- • Digital management
Digital Advantages:
- 100% digital application
- Real-time notifications
- Instant controls
Note:
Trust Bank focuses on one excellent card rather than multiple options, prioritizing simplicity and digital-first experience.
Business Banking & International Services
Business Banking
OCBC Business Solutions
Comprehensive business solutions
Strong SME market presence
Key Products:
- • Business accounts with competitive rates
- • Trade finance and documentary credits
- • Foreign exchange and hedging
- • Supply chain financing
Trust Bank Business
No business banking services
Digital-first strategy for individual consumers
Current Focus:
- • Referral partnerships for business needs
- • Focus on gig economy and freelancers
- • Personal accounts suitable for sole proprietors
International Services
OCBC Global Banking
Global Presence: 18 countries across Asia-Pacific
Remittances: Comprehensive international transfer services
Travel Services:
- • Multi-currency accounts
- • Travel cards
- • Overseas ATM access
Trust Bank International
Global Presence: Singapore only
Remittances: Limited international transfers
Travel Services:
- • Foreign transaction fee-free credit card
Who Should Choose Which Bank?
Young Professionals (22-35 years)
OCBC
Good
Pros:
- • Frank by OCBC for youth
- • Comprehensive financial growth
- • Career progression support
Cons:
- • Higher minimum balance
- • Complex product requirements
- • Steeper learning curve
Suitable for those wanting comprehensive banking relationship
Trust Bank
Excellent
Pros:
- • No minimum balance
- • Simple digital interface
- • Lower fees
- • Fast account opening
Cons:
- • Limited products
- • No loans or investments
- • Newer institution
Perfect for digital-native young professionals
High Net Worth Individuals (S$200K+ AUM)
OCBC
Excellent
Pros:
- • Premier/Private banking
- • Wealth management
- • Investment advisory
- • Relationship managers
Cons:
- • Higher fees
- • Complex fee structures
- • Relationship requirements
Ideal for comprehensive wealth management needs
Trust Bank
Poor
Pros:
- • Lower basic fees
- • Simple interface
Cons:
- • No wealth services
- • Limited product range
- • No relationship banking
Not suitable for high net worth individuals
Mass Market Consumers
OCBC
Good
Pros:
- • High savings rates
- • Comprehensive services
- • Established reputation
Cons:
- • Minimum balance requirements
- • Complex bonus structure
- • Higher fees
Good for those who can meet bonus requirements
Trust Bank
Excellent
Pros:
- • No minimum balance
- • Simple requirements
- • Lower fees
- • Digital convenience
Cons:
- • Limited to basic banking
- • Lower savings rate cap
- • Newer institution
Perfect for simple banking needs
Final Recommendation
For Maximum Returns
OCBC wins decisively with savings rates up to 3.05% - double Trust Bank's 1.5%. The annual difference can be S$400-800+ for typical balances.
For Digital Simplicity
Trust Bank excels with cleaner interface, no minimum balance, and pure digital-first experience for basic banking.
For Comprehensive Banking
OCBC dominates with wealth management, loans, investments, and full-service banking relationships.
Choose OCBC if you:
- Want maximum savings account returns
- Need wealth management services
- Have higher savings balances (S$10K+)
- Want comprehensive banking relationships
- Can meet bonus category requirements
Choose Trust Bank if you:
- Only need basic banking (save/spend)
- Prefer 100% digital banking
- Want to avoid minimum balances
- Value simplicity over complexity
- Are digital-native and young
Final Verdict
OCBC wins for most people due to significantly higher savings rates and comprehensive services. The higher returns justify the complexity for most savers. Trust Bank is perfect for young professionalswho prioritize digital simplicity and only need basic banking. The choice depends on your balance size and banking complexity preferences.