Opening a financial company in Singapore implies meeting various requirements, among which applying for various business licenses.
Those who want to open such companies need to comply with various laws and apply for a financial license in Singapore, depending on the field they want to operate in. Below, our Singapore company formation specialists explain how to create a financial company here. We can also assist those who want to set up a company in Singapore and operate in the financial industry.
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How to register a financial company in Singapore in 2026
The company registrationprocedureof a financial company in Singapore will follow the requirements of the Company Law which provides for the business to have one or more shareholders, at least one director, and a company secretary. Also, the company must be registered with ACRA before starting the licensing procedure.
It is important to know that the share capital requirements when opening a financial company in Singapore are given by the MAS. The requisites depend on the type of financial institutions opened and the services they offer.
With considerable experience in the company formation field in Singapore, our agents can help both local and foreign investors to set up financial businesses here. We can also assist those who want to set up fintech companies in Singapore.
Licensing options for Singapore financial companies
According to the Finance Companies Act, businesses intending to provide financial services in Singapore are required to apply for one of the followinglicenses:
- a capital markets services license,
- a financial adviser license.
The activities regulated by the two types of financial services licenses include asset management, investment advisory services and property fund management in Singapore. Singapore banks, merchant banks, and insurance companies are not required to apply for any of these business permits as they fall under different legislations.
However, before applying for one of the two types of licenses, one is advised to request the services of company formation consultants in Singapore.
Requirements to obtain a financial license in Singapore
Setting up a financial company in Singapore requires respecting several registration requirements. Because of the highly regulated activities it will conduct, the incorporation conditions may be different than those of enterprises operating in other sectors.
One of the best examples refers to the financial advisor licensing requisites which are available for Singapore companies that:
- have at least 2 directors, out of which one must be a Singapore resident;
- have one Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who is a resident of Singapore, and has at least 10 years of experience in the financial field, out of which 5 years as a manager;
- have at least 3 full-time employees who are Singapore residents and who have at least 5 years of experience in the financial industry.
If you want to create a financial enterprise and need assistance, you can rely on our Singapore company formation specialists for detailed information on these requirements.
Capital and other financial requirements for obtaining a business license
Another difference between running a business in a less risky industry refers to the capital requirements applicable to financial companies in Singapore. From this point of view, the MAS has strict regulations.
If you want to open a Singapore company, here is what you need to know about the capital to provide:
- if the company will only advise investors and will carry out research activities or draft investment products reports, the base capital is at least SGD 250,000;
- for other advisory solutions, the minimum capital is SGD 500,000;
- a lower capital is also allowed, with a minimum value of SGD 300,000, however, professional indemnity insurance with a value of SGD 500,000 is required.
Apart from these, the financial resources of the company must be over ¼ of the annual revenue expenditure correlated to the previous fiscal year. The alternative is to have a minimum financial resource of SGD 150,000.
Feel free to request the assistance of our company formation agents in Singapore for details about the licensing requirements.
Legislation on financial companies in Singapore
The Monetary Authority of Singapore or MAS is the main authority providing for the licenses which need to be obtained when opening a financial company, while the Ministry for Finance provides for the legal framework governing the activities of companies operating in this industry.
Depending on the type of financial company one will open in Singapore in 2026, the following laws must be respected:
- the Monetary Authority of Singapore Act which provides for the opening of banks in Singapore;
- the Banking Law which also provides for the regulations to be respected by banking institutions;
- the Securities and Future Act, the Trust Companies Act, and the Financial Advisers Act which cover the opening of businesses operating on the capital markets in the city-state;
- the Insurance Act which covers the activities and licensing requirements for insurance and reinsurance companies;
- the Payment Services Act and the Money-Charging and Remittance Act which provide for the opening of payment institutions;
- the Anti-Money Laundering Act which covers the activities of all companies operating in the financial industry in Singapore.
The above-mentioned laws provide for the share capital requirements and other requisites related to starting a Singapore financial business.
If you want to open a company in Singapore and need information on the rules you need to respect, our local consultants can advise you.
Financial companies in Singapore in 2026
Thefinancial industry is one of the most prolific economic sectors of Singapore, especially when considering the latest development in the fintech sectors which has led to the opening of a large number of businesses in this sub-sector.
Financial companies fall under the regulations of the Finance Companies Act in Singapore. Financial companies provide fixed and savings deposits to Singapore citizens. Financial companies also provide credit facilities to Singapore corporations. Banks and other types of financial companies in Singapore are not allowed to deal in foreign currencies or gold, nor are they allowed to purchase foreign currencies in the forms of stocks, shares, or debt securities. Financial institutions may expand their activities only at the authorization of the Monetary Authority in Singapore (MAS).
Types of financial companies in Singapore
There are several types of financial companies that can be established in Singapore, among which banking institutions, insurance companies, brokerage firms, investment funds, and fintech companies, among which cryptocurrency businesses are quite popular in Singapore.
When it comes to the licenses for opening financial companies, these can be granted as follows:
- for local banks, wholesale banks, representative offices of foreign banks, branch offices, finance companies and financial holding companies;
- for exempt trust companies, corporate finance advisers for fund management companies, and licensed trust companies;
- for licensed and exempt financial advisers, as well as for exempt persons offering financial advisory services;
- for direct life and captive insurers and reinsurers and for captive general and life insurers.
Cryptocurrency and other fintech companies can also obtain various special licenses for operating in the financial industry in Singapore.
The video below presents the main steps to follow if you want to open a company in Singapore as a financial company in Singapore:
The capital markets license for Singapore financial companies
According to the Futures Act in Singapore, the capital markets license is employed when providing the following financial services:
- securities trading in Singapore,
- foreign exchange trading,
- fund management,
- securities financing,
- for corporate finance advisors,
- Singapore real estate investment trusts.
The capital markets services license is only granted to Singapore corporations by the Monetary Authority.
The financial advisers license in Singapore
The financial advisers license falls under the regulations of the Financial Advisers Act in Singapore. The following services are covered by the financial advisers license:
- offering counsel on investment products such as securities, foreign exchange, life insurance policies,
- collective investment schemes.
The financial advisers license does not cover general insurance, bank deposits, and loans or mortgages.
How long does it take to obtain a financial license in Singapore?
According to the Monetary Authority is should not take more than 4 months to obtain a financial license in Singapore. The period applies to the revision and processing times for each application, provided the documentation and requirements are met accordingly.
Why start a financial company in Singapore in 2026?
At the end of 2024, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) launched the 2025 Financial Services Industry Transformation Map (ITM) which provides for the connection of international markets in Asia which is expected to have a great contribution to Singapore’s economy.
According to MAS, the financial market is projected to generate 3,000 to 4,000 new jobs and grow by an average of 4%–5% by the end of the year. For this purpose, the financial regulator has announced its close collaboration with businesses in this domain.
Singapore, a leading fintech destination
In 2025, Singapore had over 1,700 licensed fintech companies, from blockchain pioneers to digital banks and payment processors. It was, therefore, Southeast Asia’s biggest fintech ecosystem.
The use of payments, cross-border remittances, and AI-driven wealth management are expected to have propelled the Singapore fintech industry value to USD 5.5 billion in 2025. Singapore’s position as a premier hub for financial innovation is confirmed by the Global Fintech Index 2025, which ranks it 6th globally, ahead of hubs like Hong Kong and Seoul. If you are interested in setting up a company in Singapore with a focus on fintech, our local agents can assist with the licensing procedure as well.
For complete information and support on opening a company in Singapore, please contact our specialists.