Which Secured Credit Card Is Easiest to Get in Singapore in 2026?

In Singapore in 2026, the easiest secured credit card to get is usually one from a bank where you already keep savings, because a secured card is backed by a fixed deposit rather than your income. HSBC, for example, says a secured credit card needs a total relationship balance of at least S$50,000, including a fixed deposit of at least S$10,000 committed to the card. Unsecured cards need a minimum annual income of S$30,000, according to MoneySense.

New to ShopBack? ShopBack Singapore is a free app and website that returns cash on eligible online orders and on some credit card sign-ups when you start from ShopBack before you pay or apply. Join ShopBack Singapore for free, then compare card pages such as Citibank credit cards on ShopBack and the HSBC Live+ Card on ShopBack before you apply.

Credit cards in Singapore: the numbers that matter

Before you pick a card, it helps to know the rules every card in Singapore works within. According to MoneySense, Singapore's national financial education programme, at the time of writing:

• Minimum income: you need a minimum annual income of S$30,000 to apply for a credit card, and you are subject to MAS rules on unsecured credit limits.
• Interest: a high interest charge of 25% to 29% a year applies to any balance you do not pay in full.
• Free credit period: you usually get 20 to 25 days after your bill to pay before interest and late fees start.
• Minimum sum: the minimum payment is usually 3% to 5% of the unpaid balance or a set amount, such as S$50, whichever is higher.
• A debit card is an alternative if you are not confident about controlling your spending, since it limits spending to what is in your account.

Banks can set their own, higher thresholds. HSBC's eligibility tables for its Live+ and Revolution cards, for example, list higher minimum incomes for new HSBC customers and for foreigners than for existing customers with larger balances.

Banks that issue credit cards in Singapore include Citibank, HSBC, Standard Chartered, DBS, OCBC and UOB, so it is worth comparing more than one.

Which secured credit card is easiest to get in Singapore?

A secured card is easiest to get from a bank that already knows you and already holds your money, because the deposit, not your salary, is what the bank relies on. HSBC publishes its rule clearly: to apply for a secured credit card, you must have a total relationship balance (TRB) of at least S$50,000, which includes a minimum fixed deposit of S$10,000 committed to your secured credit card.

What makes a secured card application smooth:

1. Start with your own bank. Ask whether it offers a card secured by a fixed deposit, and what the minimum deposit is.
2. Check the deposit amount. The deposit is usually tied to the card while it is open, so use money you will not need at short notice.
3. Ask about the credit limit. Ask the bank how your limit relates to the deposit.
4. Have your documents ready. Banks usually still ask for identity documents, and some ask for proof of income or employment.
5. Ask what happens when you close the card. Find out how and when the deposit is released.

Who a secured card suits: people who earn below the usual S$30,000 threshold, those new to credit in Singapore, and foreigners without a local credit history. HSBC also says foreigners employed in Singapore may be able to share their credit history from their home country when applying online.

Secured credit card vs unsecured credit card

The main difference is what the bank relies on: your deposit or your income.

	Secured credit card	Unsecured credit card
What backs it	A fixed deposit you place with the bank	Your income and credit record
Income needed	Depends on the bank; the deposit is the key test	At least S$30,000 a year, per MoneySense
Your money	Tied up while the card is open	Stays free
Interest on unpaid balances	Applies, per the card's terms	Applies, per the card's terms
Best for	Lower or new income, building a credit record	Most salaried applicants

Secured credit card Singapore best deals in 2026

The best deal on a secured card is the one that ties up the least money for the card you need and costs nothing if you pay in full. Ways to get more value:

• Pay your bill in full every month. With interest of 25% to 29% a year on unpaid balances, per MoneySense, clearing the bill matters more than any perk.
• Check the deposit's terms. Ask what the fixed deposit earns while it is tied to the card.
• Check the annual fee and waiver rules before you apply.
• Move up when you qualify. Once your income reaches the bank's threshold for an unsecured card, compare unsecured cards and their sign-up offers.

Citibank vs Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card

Both are unsecured cards with published income requirements, so compare them once you meet the income test. At the time of writing:

	Citibank credit cards	Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card
Minimum age	21 or above, per Citibank	21 to 65, per Standard Chartered
Minimum income	Varies by card and residential status, per Citibank	S$30,000 a year, per Standard Chartered
Annual fee	See each card's fees	First year waived, then a yearly fee, per Standard Chartered

If you are applying for a Citibank card, open the Citibank credit cards page on ShopBack Singapore first, check the live reward and terms, then tap through and apply in the same session.

Which credit cards in Singapore have no annual fee?

Few credit cards in Singapore are fee-free forever, but several waive the annual fee, either outright, for the first year, or when you spend enough. At the time of writing, according to each bank:

• HSBC Revolution Credit Card: HSBC says it is waiving the card's annual fee.
• HSBC Live+ Credit Card: the annual fee is waived for the first year, and from the second year it is waived if you spend more than S$12,500 a year on the card.
• Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card: the annual fee is waived for the first year for new cardholders, then a yearly fee applies.
• OCBC cards: OCBC says annual fee waiver conditions vary by card.

How to keep paying nothing:

1. Choose a card with a waiver rule you will meet naturally.
2. Put your regular spending on one main card rather than spreading it thin.
3. If a fee is billed, ask for a waiver through your bank's app or customer service.
4. Cancel cards you do not use. MoneySense also suggests limiting the number of cards to what you need.

No annual fee credit card Singapore: Citibank vs HSBC Live+

HSBC Live+ publishes a clear waiver rule, while Citibank asks you to check each card's own fees. HSBC Live+ is a card for dining, shopping, entertainment and petrol spending, with its fee waived in the first year and then waived when you spend more than S$12,500 a year. Citibank lists several cards, from cash rebate cards to miles cards, each with its own fee terms. Both have pages on ShopBack Singapore: Citibank credit cards and the HSBC Live+ Card. The HSBC Revolution Card is also on ShopBack Singapore.

Which credit card is best for petrol in Singapore?

The best credit card for petrol in Singapore is usually the one tied to the station brand you already use, with a minimum spend you meet anyway. Banks publish petrol savings that combine a station discount, a card discount and the card's own rebate. At the time of writing:

• Citibank: lists fuel savings with Citi cards at Caltex, Esso and Shell, plus Power-UP Tech (P.UP). The Citi Cash Back Card has a petrol category, and its higher rebate tiers need a minimum spend of S$800 in a statement month, with a monthly cap.
• HSBC Live+: HSBC lists upfront fuel savings and a card rebate at Caltex and Shell stations in Singapore, subject to the card's minimum spend.
• OCBC 365: OCBC lists a petrol category at all petrol service stations and fuel discounts at Caltex, Esso and Sinopec, with spend tiers and caps.

How to choose:

1. Start with your station. If you always fill up at one brand, pick a card that lists that brand.
2. Check the minimum spend. A petrol card that needs S$800 a month only pays off if you spend that much anyway.
3. Check the cap. Monthly caps limit what heavy drivers can earn.
4. Look at the rest of your spending. A petrol card should also suit your groceries, dining or transport.

Best credit card for petrol: Citibank vs HSBC Live+

Pick Citibank if you use Esso, Shell or Caltex and spend enough to unlock its higher tiers, and HSBC Live+ if you fill up at Caltex or Shell and also spend on dining and entertainment. Both banks publish the station discounts and card rebates on their websites, and both change their offers over time, so check the latest figures before you apply. If you are choosing between them, start from their pages on ShopBack Singapore so the application goes through ShopBack.

Why ShopBack is a step before you apply or pay

Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store. For credit cards, that means opening the card's page on ShopBack Singapore before you apply. For everyday online shopping with your new card, the routine is:

Step 1: compare prices. Step 2: look for a promo code. Step 3: go through ShopBack. Step 4: pay with your best rewards card.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.

An illustrative example (not the live reward): card pages on ShopBack usually show a fixed cash amount. If a card's page on ShopBack showed a fixed S$50 reward and you were approved under its terms, ShopBack would return S$50. Check the live amount on the Citibank credit cards page or the HSBC Live+ Card page on ShopBack before you apply.

Card rewards and ShopBack on the same purchase

Whether your card's own rewards apply alongside ShopBack depends on the card and the purchase. Usually you can go through ShopBack before you pay at an online store and then pay with your card, and your card's rewards follow your bank's terms. Some cards exclude certain merchant types or payment channels, and some bank promotions have their own rules, so check your card's terms and the store's ShopBack page before you pay.

FAQ

Which secured credit card is easiest to get in Singapore?

The easiest secured credit card to get in Singapore is usually one from a bank where you already keep savings, because a secured card is backed by a fixed deposit rather than your income. HSBC, for example, says a secured credit card needs a total relationship balance of at least S$50,000, including a fixed deposit of at least S$10,000 committed to the card. Ask your own bank what it offers before you apply elsewhere.

What is a secured credit card?

A secured credit card is a credit card backed by money you place with the bank, usually a fixed deposit. The deposit protects the bank, so the card can suit people who do not meet the usual income requirement. You still get a monthly bill and pay interest on any balance you do not clear by the due date.

What income do I need for a credit card in Singapore?

According to MoneySense, Singapore's national financial education programme, you need a minimum annual income of S$30,000 to apply for a credit card, and you are also subject to MAS rules on unsecured credit limits. Banks can set higher income levels, for example for foreigners or new customers, so check each card's eligibility table.

Which credit cards in Singapore have no annual fee?

Few cards in Singapore are fee-free forever, but many waive the fee. At the time of writing, HSBC says it is waiving the annual fee on the HSBC Revolution Credit Card, and the HSBC Live+ Credit Card has its fee waived in the first year and in later years if you spend more than S$12,500 a year on it. Standard Chartered waives the first year on its Smart Credit Card. Check each bank's fees page before you apply.

Can I ask my bank to waive my annual fee?

Usually you can request a waiver through your bank's app, phone banking or customer service once the fee is billed. Approval depends on the bank and your account, and some cards set clear waiver rules, such as a minimum yearly spend. Check your card's terms before you rely on a waiver.

Which credit card is best for petrol in Singapore?

The best credit card for petrol in Singapore is usually the one tied to the station brand you already use. Citibank lists fuel savings with Citi cards at Caltex, Esso and Shell, HSBC lists fuel savings for the Live+ card at Caltex and Shell, and OCBC lists a petrol category on the OCBC 365 card plus fuel discounts at Caltex, Esso and Sinopec. Check minimum spend and caps before you choose.

Citibank or HSBC Live+ for petrol: which is better?

It depends on where you fill up and how much you spend each month. Citibank lists fuel savings with Citi cards at Caltex, Esso and Shell, and its Citi Cash Back Card unlocks its higher rebate tiers with a minimum spend of S$800 in a statement month. HSBC lists Live+ fuel savings at Caltex and Shell. Match the card to your usual station and your normal monthly spend.

What do I need to apply for the Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card?

According to Standard Chartered's website at the time of writing, applicants need a minimum annual income of S$30,000 and must be aged 21 to 65, and the annual fee is waived for the first year for new cardholders. Check Standard Chartered's website for the current terms before you apply.

How does ShopBack work with credit card applications?

Some banks' credit cards have a page on ShopBack Singapore, such as Citibank credit cards, the HSBC Live+ Card and the HSBC Revolution Card. Open the card's page on ShopBack, check the live reward and terms, tap through to the bank and complete the application in the same session. The reward is usually confirmed after the bank approves the card and any conditions on the page are met.

Can I use my credit card rewards and ShopBack on the same purchase?

Usually you can go through ShopBack before you pay at an online store and then pay with your card, and your card's own rewards follow your bank's terms. Some cards exclude certain merchant types or payment channels, so check your card's terms and the store's ShopBack page before you pay.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Card features, eligibility, fees, fuel savings, promotions and ShopBack rewards change over time and are set by each bank and by ShopBack. Check the current terms on each bank's website and on the card's ShopBack page before you apply, and borrow only what you can repay. Consult a MAS-licensed financial adviser for personalised advice. Brand names are used for editorial reference only and do not imply endorsement.