OS
OCBC Securities
3.3 / 5Score: 0 / 1
Singapore's accessible, low-cost gateway to stocks, ETFs, and forex with beginner-friendly tools.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:5
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- MAS
Reviewed by Experts Updated 11/8/2026
OCBC Securities vs CIMB Securities: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
OCBC Securities and CIMB Securities are two established regional brokerages serving traders across Singapore and Malaysia. Both score almost identically on our rating scale, but subtle differences in fees, regulation, and platform design could sway your decision. Here's our full breakdown.
CS
CIMB Securities
3.3 / 5Score: 1 / 1
Dual-regulated and deeply rooted, CIMB Securities blends Malaysian heritage with cross-border regulatory strength.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:5
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- SC, MAS
Best for Beginners
OCBC Securities
Lowest Fees
OCBC Securities
Top Regulation
CIMB Securities
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | OS OCBC Securities | CS CIMB Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.3 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 |
| Founded | 1986 | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Singapore | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Regulation | MAS | SC, MAS |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | $0.18/lot | $0.1/lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:5 | 1:5 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, iOCBC | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, iTrade |
| Markets Offered | Stocks, Etf, Indices, Forex | Stocks, Etf, Indices, Forex |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
OCBC Securities
$0
CIMB Securities
$0
Spreads From
OCBC Securities
0 pips
CIMB Securities
0 pips
Commission
OCBC Securities
$0.18/lot
CIMB Securities
$0.1/lot
Deposit Fees
OCBC Securities
None
CIMB Securities
None
Withdrawal Fees
OCBC Securities
None
CIMB Securities
None
Pros & cons
OS
OCBC Securities
Pros
- Earns our 'Best for Beginners' award for ease of use
- Also rated 'Best for Low Fees' in our research
- Zero minimum deposit removes entry barriers
- No deposit or withdrawal fees on transactions
- Spreads starting from 0 pips
- Regulated by the well-respected Monetary Authority of Singapore
- Long-established presence since 1986
Cons
- Regulated under only a single jurisdiction (MAS)
- Higher per-lot commission than CIMB Securities at $0.18/lot
- Maximum leverage capped at 1:5 may limit active traders
- No widely recognised third-party platform like MetaTrader
- Narrower regulatory footprint compared to multi-licensed competitors
CS
CIMB Securities
Pros
- Earns our 'Best for Regulation' award with dual licensing
- Lower commission at $0.10/lot compared to OCBC Securities
- Longer operating history, established in 1978
- Zero minimum deposit for new accounts
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Spreads starting from 0 pips
- Regulatory oversight spans two jurisdictions (SC, MAS)
Cons
- Did not earn our 'Best for Beginners' or 'Best for Low Fees' awards
- Maximum leverage limited to 1:5
- No widely recognised third-party trading platform offered
- iTrade platform may feel less intuitive for first-time investors
- Headquartered outside Singapore, which may matter for local investors
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Lowest fees OCBC Securities
Best regulation CIMB Securities
Better for beginners OCBC Securities
OCBC Securities edges ahead overall with our rating of 3.31/5 versus CIMB Securities's 3.29/5, thanks largely to a cleaner low-fee proposition and a beginner-friendly platform suite. However, CIMB Securities counters with broader regulatory coverage across two jurisdictions (SC and MAS) and a longer operating history dating back to 1978. Your final pick should hinge on whether multi-market regulatory breadth or marginally lower costs matter more to your trading plan.
Regulation & Safety
OCBC Securities operates under a single but highly respected regulator, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), giving traders confidence in a tightly supervised, tier-1 financial environment.
CIMB Securities, by contrast, holds licences from both the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and MAS, giving it a wider regulatory footprint across two jurisdictions. This dual-licence structure is a genuine advantage for traders who value oversight diversity or who operate across both Singapore and Malaysia.
Neither broker carries any major red flags in our research, and both are backed by well-capitalised banking groups. From a pure safety standpoint, CIMB Securities' broader regulatory coverage earns it the edge in this category, which is why it claims our 'Best for Regulation' award.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
Both brokers advertise spreads from 0 pips, so neither holds a clear-cut spread advantage out of the gate. The differentiator lies in commission structure: OCBC Securities charges $0.18 per lot, while CIMB Securities undercuts this slightly at $0.10 per lot.
Neither broker imposes deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome consistency for cost-conscious traders moving funds in and out of their accounts regularly.
On paper, CIMB Securities' lower per-lot commission gives it a nominal cost advantage for high-volume traders. However, OCBC Securities still earns our 'Best for Low Fees' award thanks to its overall fee transparency and simpler all-in cost structure for everyday investors.
Trading Platforms & Tools
OCBC Securities offers its own Proprietary Web and Proprietary Mobile platforms alongside its flagship iOCBC application, designed with simplicity and accessibility in mind — a strong fit for newer investors.
CIMB Securities mirrors this with its own Proprietary Web and Proprietary Mobile offerings, paired with the iTrade platform, which leans slightly more toward active traders who want deeper charting and order-management tools.
Both suites cover the essentials — real-time quotes, order execution, and portfolio tracking — but neither broker offers a widely recognised third-party platform like MetaTrader, which may be a limiting factor for traders who prefer industry-standard tools.
Account Requirements & Market Access
Both brokers set the barrier to entry extremely low, requiring a $0 minimum deposit, making either platform accessible to traders just starting out.
Maximum leverage is identical at 1:5 for both brokers, reflecting conservative, regionally appropriate risk controls rather than the higher leverage sometimes seen with offshore CFD brokers.
Market access is also mirrored closely: both OCBC Securities and CIMB Securities provide trading in stocks, ETFs, indices, and forex, so neither holds a distinct advantage in product breadth.
Company Background & Reputation
CIMB Securities has the longer operating history, founded in 1978 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, giving it eight additional years of market presence compared to OCBC Securities, which was founded in 1986 in Singapore.
Both brokers are backed by major regional banking groups, lending institutional credibility and financial stability that smaller independent brokers often cannot match.
This longevity and bank-backed stability apply to both firms, though CIMB Securities' slightly earlier founding date is listed among its specific advantages in our research.
Our Verdict
When the numbers are this close — 3.31 versus 3.29 — the decision often comes down to personal priorities rather than a clear winner. OCBC Securities takes the overall nod in our rating due to its combined strength across beginner usability and low-fee positioning.
That said, CIMB Securities is far from a runner-up. Its dual regulatory licensing and longer operating track record make it a compelling choice for traders who value oversight breadth and institutional heritage.
Ultimately, both brokers are safe, low-cost, and well-suited to stock, ETF, indices, and forex trading within their respective regional markets. We recommend matching your choice to whichever factor — fees or regulatory spread — matters most to your trading strategy.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
OCBC Securities wins overall
OCBC Securities edges out CIMB Securities overall based on our expert rating score.
OS
Highest Rated
OCBC Securities
3.3 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.3/5).
OCBC SecuritiesBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
OCBC SecuritiesLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
OCBC SecuritiesStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
CIMB Securities
Frequently asked questions
OCBC Securities (3.3/5) and CIMB Securities (3.3/5) are closely matched on our independent rating scale, with OCBC Securities scoring marginally higher overall at 3.31 versus 3.29. The better choice depends on your priorities — OCBC Securities leads on fees and beginner usability, while CIMB Securities leads on regulatory breadth. See the full comparison above for a complete breakdown.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0 pips, but their commission structures differ slightly. OCBC Securities charges $0.18 per lot, while CIMB Securities charges a lower $0.10 per lot. Despite this, OCBC Securities still earns our 'Best for Low Fees' award thanks to its overall cost transparency.
Both OCBC Securities and CIMB Securities require a $0 minimum deposit, making either broker highly accessible to new traders who want to start without a large upfront capital commitment.
CIMB Securities holds licences from both the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), giving it broader regulatory coverage. OCBC Securities is regulated solely by MAS. This dual-licence structure is why CIMB Securities earns our 'Best for Regulation' award.
OCBC Securities offers its Proprietary Web platform, Proprietary Mobile app, and the dedicated iOCBC platform. CIMB Securities offers its own Proprietary Web and Mobile platforms alongside the iTrade platform. Neither broker currently supports widely recognised third-party platforms like MetaTrader.
Both brokers provide access to the same core asset classes: stocks, ETFs, indices, and forex. Neither broker holds a distinct advantage in market breadth, so your choice should be based on fees, platform preference, or regulatory coverage instead.
Both OCBC Securities and CIMB Securities cap maximum leverage at 1:5, reflecting conservative, regionally appropriate risk management standards rather than the higher leverage ratios sometimes offered by offshore CFD brokers.
Yes, there is nothing preventing you from holding accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many traders diversify across platforms to access different regulatory protections, commission structures, and proprietary tools depending on their specific trading needs.
CIMB Securities has the longer track record, founded in 1978 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. OCBC Securities was founded eight years later in 1986 in Singapore. Both, however, are backed by established regional banking institutions.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, making both cost-effective choices for traders who move funds in and out of their trading accounts on a regular basis.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.