Investors can now open CDP accounts online without paper documents

Samantha Chiew

SINGAPORE (May 6): Investors can now open an individual Central Depository (CDP) account with Singapore Exchange (SGX) online, without the need to provide paper documents.

Applications for CDP accounts can now be submitted online, enabling greater convenience and security for retail customers.

For Singapore citizens and residents, they can leverage MyInfo – a government digital service that allows users to manage their personal data for online transactions – for a seamless experience.

With the customer’s consent, CDP can also automatically access details from his or her MyInfo profile to open a new CDP account, bypassing the need for the customer to submit personal details and supporting documentation.

For those without a MyInfo account, they can still open a CDP account online by uploading soft copies of supporting documents online.

To start investing, a brokerage account would also need to be opened. Customers may approach their brokers, if they plan to open CDP and trading accounts concurrently.

Chew Sutat, Executive Vice President, Head of Equities and Fixed Income, SGX says, “Last year, the number of new direct CDP accounts grew by over 40%, on the back of rising retail investor interest particularly in Singapore Savings Bonds, new retail bonds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). We are also seeing an increase in younger investors below 35 years old opening CDP accounts. Tapping into MyInfo for CDP account opening offers a better experience for our retail investors and is one more step forward for Singapore’s Smart Nation journey.”

Kwok Quek Sin, Senior Director, National Digital Identity, Government Technology Agency, says, “We are delighted that MyInfo has enabled businesses such as SGX to improve their user experience and increase business efficiencies. As a key government digital service under the National Digital Identity platform, we look forward to work with more industry partners to build convenient and innovative digital products for our citizens and businesses.”

Shares in SGX closed 2.16% lower on Monday at $7.24.