User Search

Episode 24: The next wave of digital banking – lessons from Singapore’s MariBank

Host: Charles Green, Founder, RFI Global
Date: November 24, 2025
Region: APAC
Share:

In this episode of Banking Uncovered, host Charles Green speaks to Natalia Goh, CEO of MariBank and member of Singapore’s Government Technology and Innovation Committee, to explore how the next wave of digital banking is taking shape in one of the world’s most advanced financial ecosystems.

Despite Singapore’s digital maturity, traditional banks still leave gaps around transparency, fees and customer experience. Natalia shares how MariBank, a digital-only bank, is redefining these pain points through a commitment to simplicity, trust and accessibility. From daily interest crediting and flat, competitive savings rates to no minimum balances and low-barrier digital investment products, MariBank is reimagining banking.

Technology and security sit at the heart of this transformation. The conversation delves into AI-driven transaction monitoring, SingPass facial verification and the importance of strong regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with integrity. Natalia also discusses how Singapore’s progressive Monetary Authority (MAS) is shaping responsible innovation across the banking sector.

Topics discussed include:

  • The evolving digital banking landscape and how Singapore’s regulatory environment enables responsible innovation
  • Common consumer frustrations with traditional banks, from fees and complexity to lack of transparency
  • MariBank’s simplified approach to savings and investments, including daily interest crediting and no minimum balance requirements
  • The success of self-service investment products and their role in financial inclusion
  • How advanced technology, AI, and data security build consumer trust
  • The importance of customer education and lowering barriers to entry for investing

Key insights include:

  • 63% of Singaporean customers cited annual and late fees as pain points with credit cards - highlighting the demand for transparent, fee-free banking
  • One in three businesses uses personal accounts for business banking to avoid high fees, underscoring how simplicity and affordability can drive broader adoption
  • MariBank’s digital investment products start from just $1, compared with $1,000 at traditional banks - demonstrating how low entry barriers can democratise investing
  • MariBank’s money market fund surpassed SGD 1 billion in assets within its first year, becoming one of Singapore’s top five funds and proving strong consumer appetite for accessible investment solutions
  • Daily interest crediting and a flat, competitive rate for all customers strengthen perceptions of fairness and transparency - key drivers of trust in digital banking
  • SingPass facial verification and AI-based transaction monitoring reinforce security, ensuring innovation doesn’t come at the expense of consumer protection
  • Maribank use Generative AI for fraud detection, anti-money laundering and staff productivity, with careful rollout for customer-facing applications to sustain trust
  • Singapore’s regulatory environment, led by MAS, remains a global benchmark, showing how progressive oversight enables innovation without compromising integrity
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple
Watch on YouTube

Podcast resources

Financial Services Trends and Predictions 2026

Find out more

Episode 21: How Citi elevates customer experience in digital wealth management

Find out more

Unlocking SME and retail banking growth in the JS-SEZ

Find out more

Data-driven insights for financial service leaders

Subscribe to The Banknote, our monthly newsletter delivering expert perspectives and exclusive analysis, powered by 200,000 consumer and 60,000 business interviews each year to help you stay ahead in a fast-changing financial world.
Sign up today

Our latest insights

EMEA
Business & SME

The elephant in the room: Businesses need more control of payments, not more tools

UK businesses don’t need more payment tools. They need flexibility, visibility and control over how payments are managed across systems.
Global
Consumer

The Plaid and ChatGPT announcement is a wake-up call for banks. Here’s why.

The OpenAI and Plaid partnership marks a shift in AI usage to personalised financial insight. Our data reveals the opportunities.
Global
Consumer

Takeaways from the AWS Financial Services Symposium

Beyond the hype, how is AI delivering real impact? Key takeaways from AWS Financial Services symposium.
EMEA
Business & SME

Winning the mid-market: What UK businesses really value from their financial institutions

Mid-market enterprises expect digital efficiency and expert human insight from banks, redefining how value is delivered in UK business banking in 2026.
AU/NZ
Consumer

Why Australian consumers are feeling better about their banks – and what’s driving loyalty

Australian bank loyalty is rising, but competition is intensifying. Discover what drives advocacy, switching and digital expectations in 2026.
North America
Consumer

Fintech has the reach: Now the battle is for investment wallet share

Fintech adoption is high, but asset share is low. Explore where investment wallet share is shifting and what it means for wealth firms.
Linkedin-in

ONLY OF THE TYPE(S)


Advanced Search