Two in three retail customers who started investing with OCBC in 2025 chose gold or silver as their first asset class, replacing equities and unit trusts as the usual entry point.
The number of precious metals investors rose 2.5 times year-on-year in 2025, reflecting stronger demand for paper gold and silver.
As at end-January 2026, new investor numbers were three times higher on a month-on-month basis despite higher precious metal prices.
Younger investors accounted for a significant share of the increase.
In 2025, the number of investors under 40 doubled from the previous year and made up about half of all precious metals investors.
Those in their 20s recorded the fastest growth in gold and silver holdings.
OCBC said many first-time investors viewed precious metals as an accessible way to begin building wealth while hedging against geopolitical uncertainty, inflation concerns and shifting expectations around global interest rates.
The bank expects demand to remain firm into 2026, supported by underlying structural factors and sustained industrial demand.
Through the OCBC app, customers can buy paper gold or silver from 0.01 oz, priced at under S$65 for gold and about S$1 for silver as at 12 February 2026.
The service, introduced in 2021, allows customers to invest digitally at any time.
Premier Banking and Premier Private Client customers can also invest via relationship managers and client advisors.
Tan Siew Lee, Head of Group Wealth Management at OCBC, said,
“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.”
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by OCBC
