OCBC sees gold and silver* emerge as first-time investors’ asset class of choice

^* OCBC Precious Metals Account allows purchase or sale of only non-physical precious metals

At a glance

• Gold and silver emerged as the top entry point for first‑time investors in 2025, with two in three new investors starting with precious metals instead of equities or unit trusts
• Strong demand drove a 2.5 times year‑on‑year increase in precious metals investors, with momentum continuing into early 2026 despite higher prices
• Younger investors are leading adoption, with those under 40 accounting for half of all investors and the fastest growth seen among investors in their 20s
• Fractional buying via the OCBC app has lowered barriers, making gold and silver an accessible and affordable first investment
• To add gold and silver as part of a diversified portfolio, investors can open a Precious Metals Account on the OCBC App

Strong demand in 2025 more than doubled OCBC’s precious metals investor base from a year ago

Singapore, 16 February 2026 – OCBC announced today that two in three retail customers in 2025 chose gold or silver to begin their investment journey with the Bank. Previously, equities and unit trust funds were the preferred entry points for new-to-bank investing customers.

This shift in interest has resulted in the number of OCBC precious metals investors expanding 2.5 times year-on-year in 2025. These figures reflect demand for gold and silver paper bullion.

Looking ahead, OCBC sees continued growth in its precious metals business through 2026, driven by resilient demand, underlying structural drivers behind the recent rally, as well as sustained industrial demand. Notably, even with higher precious metal prices, the number of new investors continued to rise, tripling month-on-month as at end-January 2026.

Gold and silver no longer “boring” to younger investors

Once an asset class associated with older investors seeking stability, gold and silver are increasingly being embraced by younger investors. Consider the following:

• In 2025, the number of investors aged under 40 years old doubled compared to 2024, making up half of all investors
• Investors in their 20s saw the fastest growth in both gold and silver holdings, outperforming every other age group.

Younger investors were increasingly drawn to gold and silver in 2025, as both metals reached record highs. For many first-time investors, precious metals offered an accessible way to begin building wealth while serving as a hedge amid geopolitical uncertainty, inflation worries and shifting expectations around global interest rates.

Fractionalisation has also further enhanced affordability, especially for younger investors with limited capital. Through the OCBC app, customers can buy paper gold or silver in real-time from as little as 0.01 oz (0.31g) — priced at under S$65 for gold and about S$1 for silver as of 12 February 2026. Introduced in 2021 and available 24/7, this feature offers a fully digital experience from account opening to trade execution.

Ms Lee Yong En, 24, made her first-ever investment three months ago, starting with $100 of paper silver via the OCBC app, before adding another $1,000 over two subsequent transactions. The community engagement coordinator said: “It was encouraging to see the value of my asset grow so visibly. But even if it hadn’t, I felt assured knowing that precious metals retain their value over time, unlike an individual company’s stock which can swing with market sentiment. As a fresh full-time employee, I don’t have a lot to invest with yet. Even a single S&P 500 ETF unit can be quite costly, so buying precious metals in small amounts lets me start building my portfolio slowly but steadily.”

Besides the OCBC app, OCBC Premier Banking and OCBC Premier Private Client customers can make these investments via their Relationship Managers and Client Advisors respectively.

Ms Tan Siew Lee, OCBC’s Head of Group Wealth Management, said: “It’s encouraging to see more young people taking the first step in their investment journeys as getting started early makes a difference. Precious metals, especially gold, continue to be supported by solid structural factors, and will remain important as a source of diversification in portfolios. Typically, once an asset becomes mainstream, hype can often creep in. The recent volatility is a reminder that sharp price swings can happen. Young investors may feel tempted to chase quick gains, but true investing is about building long-term wealth, not speculation.

“While precious metals can play a stabilising role in a portfolio, allocations should stay measured. Gold should sit alongside a well-balanced investment mix, in line with one’s risk tolerance and preferences. Those with little or no exposure may consider building positions gradually — taking advantage of dips and staying focused to their long-term goals rather than reacting to short-term market noise.”

Important Notices

Investments carry risks, including loss of principal. Foreign currency investments are subject to inherent exchange rate fluctuation, which may affect their value.