logo
Earn up to 2.50% interest: Singapore's best fixed deposit rates this May 2025

Earn up to 2.50% interest: Singapore's best fixed deposit rates this May 2025

Photo: Depositphotos/saksitpond(for illustration purposes only)
SINGAPORE: Singapore banks are now offering fixed deposit rates of up to 2.50%, making it a good time for savers to lock in their funds, with minimum deposits starting from just S$500. May 2025 highest fixed deposit rates Syfe Cash+ Guaranteed Interest Rate: 2.50% p.a. Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: No minimum
StashAway Simple Guaranteed Interest Rate: 2.45% p.a. Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: No minimum
DBS Interest Rate: 2.45% p.a. Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: S$1,000
Maybank Interest Rate: 2.45% p.a. (via Maybank2u Online Banking, Maybank2u SG app or in branch) Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$20,000
State Bank of India Interest Rate: 2.35% p.a. Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$50,000
Bank of China Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a. (via mobile banking) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$500
ICBC Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a. (via e-banking) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$500
Citibank Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a. (T&Cs apply) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
CIMB Interest Rate: 2.20% – 2.25% p.a. Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
Hong Leong Finance Interest Rate: 2.05% p.a. (online fixed deposit special) Commitment Period: 7 months Minimum Amount: S$20,000
RHB Interest Rate: 2.00% – 2.10% p.a. Commitment Period: 3 months or 6 months or 12 months Minimum Amount: S$20,000
UOB Interest Rate: 2.00% p.a. Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
HSBC Interest Rate: 2.00% p.a. (Premier and Premier Elite customers with wealth holdings) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$30,000
Standard Chartered Interest Rate: 1.95% – 2.05% p.a. Commitment Period: 5 months Minimum Amount: S$25,000
OCBC Interest Rate: 1.90% p.a. (internet banking) Commitment Period: 9 months Minimum Amount: S$30,000
May 2025 best fixed deposit rates by commitment period 3-Month commitment period: Syfe Cash+ Guaranteed Interest Rate: 2.50% p.a. Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: No minimum
StashAway Simple Guaranteed Interest Rate: 2.45% p.a. Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: No minimum
ICBC Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a.(via e-banking) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$500
Bank of China Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a.(via mobile banking) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$500
Citibank Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a. (T&Cs apply) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
CIMB Interest Rate: 2.20% – 2.25% p.a. Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
RHB Interest Rate: 2.00% – 2.10% p.a. Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$20,000
HSBC Interest Rate: 1.55% p.a. (personal banking customers) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$30,000
6-Month commitment period: Maybank Interest Rate: 2.45% p.a. (via Maybank2u Online Banking, Maybank2u SG app or in branch) Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$20,000
Syfe Cash+ Guaranteed Interest Rate: 2.40% p.a. Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: No minimum
State Bank of India Interest Rate: 2.35% p.a. Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$50,000
StashAway Simple Guaranteed Interest Rate: 2.25% p.a. Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: No minimum
Bank of China Interest Rate: 2.25% p.a.(via mobile banking) Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$500
ICBC Interest Rate: 2.25% p.a.(via e-banking) Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$500
Citibank Interest Rate: 2.20% p.a. (T&Cs apply) Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
DBS Interest Rate: 2.15% p.a. Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$1,000
CIMB Interest Rate: 2.10% – 2.15% p.a. Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
RHB Interest Rate: 2.00% – 2.10% p.a. Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$20,000
UOB Interest Rate: 2.00% p.a. Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
HSBC Interest Rate: 1.50% p.a. (personal banking customers) Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$30,000
12-Month commitment period: DBS Interest Rate: 2.45% p.a. Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: S$1,000
ICBC Interest Rate: 2.25% p.a.(via e-banking) Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: S$500
Maybank Interest Rate: 2.25% p.a. (via Maybank2u Online Banking, Maybank2u SG app or in branch) Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: S$20,000
State Bank of India Interest Rate: 2.25% p.a. Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: S$50,000
Bank of China Interest Rate: 2.20% p.a.(via mobile banking) Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: S$500
Syfe Cash+ Guaranteed Interest Rate: 2.15% p.a. Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: No minimum
RHB Interest Rate: 2.00% – 2.10% p.a. Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: S$20,000
StashAway Simple Guaranteed Interest Rate: 2.05% p.a. Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: No minimum
CIMB Interest Rate: 1.90% – 1.95% p.a. Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
OCBC Interest Rate: 1.85% p.a. (internet banking) Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: S$30,000
HSBC Interest Rate: 1.35% p.a. Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: S$30,000
May 2025 best fixed deposit rates by minimum deposit Deposits $10,000 and under: DBS Interest Rate: 2.45% p.a. Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: S$1,000
Bank of China Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a.(via mobile banking) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$500
ICBC Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a.(via e-banking) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$500
Citibank Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a. (T&Cs apply) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
CIMB Interest Rate: 2.20% – 2.25% p.a. Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
Hong Leong Finance Interest Rate: 2.00% p.a. (online fixed deposit special) Commitment Period: 7 months Minimum Amount: S$5,000
UOB Interest Rate: 2.00% p.a. Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
Deposits $20,000–$49,999: DBS Interest Rate: 2.45% p.a. Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: S$1,000
Maybank Interest Rate: 2.45% p.a. (via Maybank2u Online Banking, Maybank2u SG app or in branch) Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$20,000
Bank of China Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a.(via mobile banking) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$500
ICBC Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a.(via e-banking) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$500
Citibank Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a. (T&Cs apply) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
CIMB Interest Rate: 2.20% – 2.25% p.a. Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
Hong Leong Finance Interest Rate: 2.05% p.a. (online fixed deposit special) Commitment Period: 7 months Minimum Amount: S$20,000
RHB Interest Rate: 2.00% – 2.10% p.a. Commitment Period: 3 months or 6 months or 12 months Minimum Amount: S$20,000
HSBC Interest Rate: 2.00% p.a. (Premier and Premier Elite customers with wealth holdings) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$30,000
Standard Chartered Interest Rate: 1.95% – 2.05% p.a. Commitment Period: 5 months Minimum Amount: S$25,000
OCBC Interest Rate: 1.90% p.a. (internet banking) Commitment Period: 9 months Minimum Amount: S$30,000
See also Best fixed deposit rates in Singapore for Feb 2024 Deposits $50,000 and above: DBS Interest Rate: 2.45% p.a. Commitment Period: 12 months Minimum Amount: S$1,000
Maybank Interest Rate: 2.45% p.a. (via Maybank2u Online Banking, Maybank2u SG app or in branch) Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$20,000
State Bank of India Interest Rate: 2.35% p.a. Commitment Period: 6 months Minimum Amount: S$50,000
Bank of China Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a.(via mobile banking) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$500
ICBC Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a.(via e-banking) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$500
Citibank Interest Rate: 2.30% p.a. (T&Cs apply) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
CIMB Interest Rate: 2.20% – 2.25% p.a. Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$10,000
Hong Leong Finance Interest Rate: 2.05% p.a. (online fixed deposit special) Commitment Period: 7 months Minimum Amount: S$20,000
RHB Interest Rate: 2.00% – 2.10% p.a. Commitment Period: 3 months or 6 months or 12 months Minimum Amount: S$20,000
HSBC Interest Rate: 2.00% p.a. (Premier and Premier Elite customers with wealth holdings) Commitment Period: 3 months Minimum Amount: S$30,000
/TISG
Read also: Earn up to 2.90% interest: Singapore's best-fixed deposit rates this April 2025
Disclaimer: Rates are promotional and subject to change. For the most current rates, visit the respective bank websites
Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Stablecoin growth is hampered by nagging foreign exchange costs
Stablecoin growth is hampered by nagging foreign exchange costs

Business Times

timean hour ago

  • Business Times

Stablecoin growth is hampered by nagging foreign exchange costs

[MUMBAI] Even as stablecoins enter a period of peak expectations, veterans in wider fintech circles see limitations to the tokens as an emerging payments tool. Stablecoin transaction volumes have already hit US$5 trillion across one billion payments so far in 2025, not far shy of the 2024 total of US$5.7 trillion, according to data from Visa and Allium. The combined value of these cryptocurrencies – designed to closely track the price of established currencies like the US dollar – has grown 47 per cent to US$255 billion since US President's Donald Trump's election win in November 2024. The promise of stablecoins is a faster, cheaper and more efficient future for payments, in particular those crisscrossing international borders. Based on the numbers, that potential is beginning to be realised, but doubts remain over whether the technology can resolve the same issues that have for decades plagued the business of foreign exchange (FX). Using stablecoins to exchange one fiat currency for another – euros to Hong Kong dollars, for instance – incurs many of the same costs as a normal conversion. 'In crypto, there's a belief that code and tech will solve everything. That's naive when it comes to FX,' said Mike Robertson, chief executive of FX infrastructure firm AbbeyCross. 'Each currency has its own dynamics. And most banks and payment providers make money on FX, not fees.' FX costs typically cover bid-ask spreads, conversion fees, intermediary charges and slippage. They apply even in cross-border crypto transactions and can be especially acute during on and off-ramping, undermining the low-cost claims of stablecoin evangelists. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Much of the growth in stablecoin payment volumes can be attributed to two use cases: simplifying transactions spanning countries that aren't well-connected by incumbent players and payouts in emerging markets. BVNK, a startup specialising in stablecoin payments infrastructure, pays little mind to corridors involving the pound and the US dollar. Instead, it's focusing on 'exotic' corridors, such as Sri Lanka to Cambodia, according to Sagar Sarbhai, managing director for Asia-Pacific at BVNK. 'That route would usually require multiple intermediaries. It's expensive and slow. Stablecoins simplify it. They may not be cheap yet, but they're faster and more capital-efficient,' he said. Today, BVNK handles about US$15 billion in annual volume. And it isn't the only startup focused on helping corporates to deal in stablecoins. Conduit pivoted into stablecoin payments after a gruelling period for the crypto industry in 2022. The startup began using stablecoins to allow users to send money via local systems like Brazil's Pix and receive it through Single Euro Payments Area, an equivalent system in Europe. Today, it's processing US$10 billion annually, according to CEO Kirill Gertman. Singapore-based Thunes and Canada's Aquanow are also trying to work with stablecoin issuers and corporates to streamline payments. 'The rise of stablecoins is a commercial opportunity,' said Floris de Kort, CEO of Thunes, which raised US$150 million in April. 'The infrastructure might change, but people still need last-mile delivery in local currencies and wallets.' All this may seem modest compared with the scale of established payments operators. Visa alone processed US$13.2 trillion in payments volume in 2024, according to its latest annual report. That's more than double total stablecoin-denominated volumes in the same period. But the rapid growth of the market has put payments giants on high alert. They are exploring so-called 'stablecoin sandwich' models: using stablecoins between two fiat currencies to bypass traditional banking networks – such as Swift – and settle transactions in minutes, with a focus on markets where dollar liquidity is scarce and legacy systems are slow. Visa in October 2024 unveiled a platform that would allow banks to mint, burn and transfer fiat-backed tokens, including tokenised deposits and stablecoins. The recent passage of the Genius Act in the US brings regulatory clarity in the world's biggest stablecoin market, paving the way for banks and payment providers to enter the space with more confidence. That in turn has sparked a scramble among global regulators to forge ahead with comparable regimes for stablecoin issuers. 'We're just starting to see the hockey-stick growth,' said BVNK's Sarbhai. 'What took five years to build may explode in the next 12 months.' BLOOMBERG

Small states, big ideas: Singapore takes the lead in Estonia's Asian tech and startup expansion
Small states, big ideas: Singapore takes the lead in Estonia's Asian tech and startup expansion

Independent Singapore

timean hour ago

  • Independent Singapore

Small states, big ideas: Singapore takes the lead in Estonia's Asian tech and startup expansion

SINGAPORE: Touching down in Singapore during the COVID-19 pandemic, it wasn't the easiest time to start a new job for Priit Turk. But he had a clear goal: establish Singapore as the link between his tiny Baltic country and the rest of the region, and open Estonia's first and only embassy in Southeast Asia. 'I didn't know much about Asia or Singapore before coming,' Ambassador Turk says with a smile. 'But very quickly, I saw how much we had in common—both small, ambitious countries that punch above our weight.' Four years on, as he wraps up his tenure in Singapore, Turk's legacy is more than diplomatic protocol. It's a story of how two small nations, both gateways to their respective regions, have found common ground in tech, innovation, and how they view the world A nation that lives online Estonia, with 1.3 million people, could be the most advanced digital society anywhere. The birthplace of Skype, people can vote online. And with a few clicks? They've gotten right into the meat of government services. 'Estonia has always believed that size shouldn't limit ambition,' Turk explained. 'And Singapore understands that. You've done the same with your Smart Nation vision.' A major chunk of Singapore-Estonia cooperation is motivated by their mutual belief that tech is the tool to address different problems. This ranges from cybersecurity and e-governance to startup assistance and education. Going beyond tech Although the digital side of things has received a lot of attention, Turk points out that traditional sectors are also being considered. Singaporean investors are drawn to Estonia's green energy industry. This includes electronics manufacturing, wind farms, and hydrogen technologies. He also cites the Estonian business Horizon Pulp & Paper, associated with Singapore's Tolaram Group, as an illustration of how business relationships can coexist peacefully with tech alliances. 'It's not just about digital services. There's a lot of potential in areas like maritime engineering, renewable energy, and precision manufacturing,' he said. Baltic hub, global ideas One of Turk's proudest projects? The Estonian Business Hub in Singapore, rooted right in the financial district. Since its launch, it has become a landing pad for Estonian startups eyeing Southeast Asia. 'Singapore is where our companies come when they look to Asia. The support here—from government agencies to tech partners—is world-class,' says Turk. With events like SWITCH and Singapore Maritime Week, the Hub's helped Estonian companies in health tech, maritime innovation, and even defence tech connect with local partners. As Turk explains: 'We don't just network—we've seen actual business deals signed right here'. See also Additional Registration Fee is punishment meted out to bike owners A European business from your laptop? Perhaps Estonia's best-known innovation is its e-Residency program. It's distinct appeal? It lets entrepreneurs anywhere in the world launch and run a European Union (EU) business entirely online. 'For a Singaporean startup, this means you can start doing business in Europe without even leaving home,' Turk explained. Some Singaporean entrepreneurs have already used it, but Turk believes many more could benefit. 'It's a real gateway. And our taxes are lower than most other EU countries,' he added with a chuckle. It's an appealing proposition for Singapore's small businesses. Turk says many are eyeing Europe. But they're cautious about the cost and complexity of entry, something the e-Residency addresses. The human connection What makes the relationship between the two countries so strong, Turk says, isn't just about tech or trade—it's about people. 'When our researchers, entrepreneurs, or government officials come here, they feel it immediately. There's a kind of click—same values, same work ethic, same drive to innovate.' It goes both ways. Singaporean nomads in Estonia discover a country that's warm, friendly, modern, and perhaps even a kindred spirit. Though the icy winters are a distinct difference. 'Yes, our climates are completely different,' Turk laughed, 'but somehow, we understand each other.' Learning from each other Estonia's innovation lab, Accelerate Estonia , works with startups to identify and fix outdated rules that slow innovation. According to Turk, it's not so different from Singapore's own Pro-Enterprise Panel, but it is designed for rapid change. 'The real secret sauce is flexibility,' he said. 'Technology changes fast. Governments need to keep up—and Estonia and Singapore are both doing that.' Turk also sees potential for closer ties between universities. While Estonia's institutions are too small to open campuses in Singapore, they've already partnered with NUS and NTU on research projects. 'Singapore is already a global education hub. We see a lot of potential for more joint research, student exchange, and innovation transfer.' Turk also believes that connecting universities with industry —something Singapore's done with government agencies like A*STAR—can turn academic research into commercially viable realities. A warm goodbye As he leaves Singapore, Turk reflects on what he's built. 'This has been one of the most meaningful postings of my career. I've seen how much can be achieved when two small countries believe in each other.' For him, it's a partnership that's about more than geography. 'We may be far apart on the map, but in mindset and ambition, Estonia and Singapore are very close.'

How this entrepreneur from Singapore built a real estate empire in Perth, Australia
How this entrepreneur from Singapore built a real estate empire in Perth, Australia

CNA

time5 hours ago

  • CNA

How this entrepreneur from Singapore built a real estate empire in Perth, Australia

When Mabel Lim was growing up, she lived on the second storey of a shophouse in Jalan Kayu. Below her home was one of the workshops belonging to her father, Lim Chor Pian, who had arrived in Singapore at age 12 from Swatow, China. Starting out peddling eggs, CP (as he was affectionately known) later learned to carve fine Chinese wooden furniture from a master carver at the former CK Tang retail mall. 'The workshop was our playground. We spent many hours with our parents while they worked,' said Mabel, reflecting on growing up in the family business with her four siblings. CP co-founded Lims Legacy with his brother, Lim Choon Kuan, in 1959. In 1970, they opened Lims Arts & Crafts in Holland Village Shopping Centre, selling both self-made and imported Chinoiserie-style furniture and accessories. It became a household name – familiar to Singaporeans and popular with expats. THE MOVE TO PERTH Lims Arts & Crafts is now managed by the third generation of the Lim family, along with Mabel's youngest sister, Christine, who is the current general manager. Mabel shared this when she was back in Singapore for a visit. She had migrated to Perth with her husband and two daughters in 2003 to open Asiatree – a branch of the family's home goods business –and has lived there ever since. Before migrating, she had already visited Perth on sourcing trips when the family ventured into F&B businesses like 211 Cafe in Holland Village Shopping Centre and Angelo Cafe in Chijmes during the early 2000s. 'In those days, we had to bring in coffee beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and even fresh produce like rocket,' said Mabel, amused that such products are now commonplace – even in heartland malls. Asiatree closed after three years. 'The market was probably not ready at that time,' Mabel reflected. But she remained in Perth, pivoting into real estate. Her business acumen and creative flair led to a thriving rental property business; a portfolio of three houses eventually grew to 25. Real estate suited Mabel well, as she had always loved architecture and design. 'I had wanted to be an architect but didn't pursue that path,' said the creative entrepreneur, who studied gemology in Los Angeles. She put her passion for styling spaces to good use, furnishing interiors for house showings. FOR THE FAMILY Beyond work, the move to Perth was largely for her daughters, who were in primary school when the family left Singapore. 'My husband and I were working so hard and coming home late, with the girls waiting for me to revise ting xie with them,' Mabel recalled. To keep up with the academically intense system in Singapore, she was also spending heavily on tuition. 'I asked myself: Why am I paying S$2,000 (US$1,550) a month for Chinese tuition, Maths tuition, and so on? At that time, I had to go out and work in the family business, so my girls spent more time with the helper than with me – it didn't make sense,' Mabel said. After the move, her daughters changed dramatically. 'They looked forward to school. Their school had a no-homework policy and activities like show-and-tell,' said Mabel. During the first three years, the couple worked hard to balance business and family life – picking the girls up from school before returning to run the shop with them. But they were spending much more time together. 'We could have dinner at six o'clock, and the girls were with me most of the time. On weekends, we did horse riding, surfing, music courses, et cetera. I didn't pay a single cent on tuition; the money went to these activities,' she smiled. Her older daughter now works in the coffee industry while her younger daughter works for her. Leaving Singapore was not an easy decision, but Mabel was at a turning point in life. 'I was 39 with two kids. What do I do next? I had been involved in the family business for 15 years. No, not just that – I was in the family business since young when we were 'holiday cashiers' downstairs,' she laughed. 'When my father said to tag along on deliveries to help carry furniture or that the warehouse needed help, we'd just go.' Perth's laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to start anew rekindled her adventurous, independent spirit. 'Luckily, my dad was himself a migrant, so he was very supportive. I think my family also knew I was a bit 'different',' Mabel chuckled. CREATING A LANDMARK Five years ago, her mind began to wander again. 'My properties were spread all over Perth, so managing them was logistically very tough. I thought: How can I keep doing what I have been doing – but differently?' Mabel considered entering the short-stay apartment market, but she didn't want to create another cookie-cutter offering. Those had basic interiors – she wanted something lifestyle-driven, like a boutique hotel. 'It had to be five-star quality. I also wanted guests to come in and feel at home,' she elaborated. The result was a rebranded business: Manaa Properties. ''Manaa' because this project is a gift from God (manna symbolises spiritual food in the Bible), and 'M' because of my name,' Mabel laughed. Its first project, Forbes Residences, opened in mid-2024. The mixed-use development includes ground-level retail, 34 luxury residences, and a 27-unit short-stay component called Manna Living – a modern take on the Lims' hospitality legacy. The AUD$90 million (US$58.22 million; S$74.95 million), 13-storey building in Applecross, a prestigious Perth suburb in the affluent Kintail Quarter Precinct, is a joint venture by Manaa Properties, Australia's Mustera Property Group, and Singapore-based architecture firm WOHA, co-founded by Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell. WOHA is renowned for projects like Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali and ParkRoyal Collection Pickering in Singapore. Mabel's focus on the corporate market contributed to Manna Living's rapid success. 'These guests come to Perth to work on projects, staying for up to a week or even a month,' she said, sharing that bookings can stretch up to 10 apartments at a time. The building's curvaceous form has also earned it accolades as a new architectural landmark in Perth, with design by WOHA in collaboration with Perth-based MJA Studio. PERFECT PARTNERSHIPS The project was particularly meaningful for Richard. 'Mustera Property Group thought that as architect [formerly from Perth], I might be interested in doing a project in my hometown – and they were right!' said the architect, who was introduced to Mabel by the developer. He saw Forbes Residences as a chance to adapt WOHA's design principles to a new context, based on the firm's long-standing research into tropical high-rise living. 'Density doesn't have to mean losing character; it can enhance it. High density can mean creating more space vertically and our question was: What if instead of just housing more people, we could offer more of what we love about Applecross – more Jacaranda trees, more gardens, more community spaces, more lifestyle choices?' Richard mused. That idea shaped everything – from the villa-in-a-garden concept to integrated public amenities and lush, naturally ventilated common corridors draped with greenery. This is Forbes' first green building of its kind. To create Manna Living's homely interiors, Mabel partnered with Andrea Savage, founder of A Life by Design – Living & Branding, the interior division of the A Life By Design Group. 'My relationship with the Lim family dates back to the early 2000s when I first moved to Singapore from Australia. I have Wendy (Mabel's sister) to thank for the introduction. Wendy and I have known each other for over two decades now,' said the designer. They immediately bonded over a love for beautiful fabrics, cushions and more. 'Wendy, a textile entrepreneur with an incredible eye for detail, transformed my first home with bespoke designs and good craftmanship. We've been collaborating ever since,' Savage recalled. Creativity runs in the Lim family. Both Wendy and Mabel's mother have long contributed to Lims Arts & Crafts with soft furnishings. Even at 89, their mother still handmakes lampshades. ROAD TO SUCCESS Savage's vision for the apartments was to create 'spaces that foster rest and rejuvenation, embody understated elegance and connect to the elements while remaining durable and purpose-fit.' Australia's distinct natural landscapes inspired the palette and decorative touches. Richard also drew from local context, referencing Swan River's limestone foundations in the building's custom cladding. I asked Mabel if she was satisfied with the project. She replied that it's 'one of the most talked-about projects in Perth right now' – not just for its singular design but also for its strong sustainability credentials, and flowing greenery. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Forbes Residences (@forbesresidences) The project was a leap of faith. 'My other holiday homes are in this area, so I know this market well. Applecross is like Bukit Timah in Singapore. It's the most exclusive address on the south side of Swan River,' she explained. The location is just a short walk to the river, five minutes from the CBD, and 20 minutes from the airport. Many Manna Living guests who initially booked one or two nights end up extending their stay. 'Occupancy is good. It rates 9.1 on and 4.5 on Airbnb,' Mabel revealed happily. This success is paving the way for future projects in Perth, including a more youthful version of Manna Living with communal areas like a lounge, games zone, and gym. PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE Reflecting on the family furniture business, Mabel shared that the customer base has shifted more towards expats than professionals, requiring a new approach like social media marketing – something the younger generation of the Lim family assist with. 'The main challenge is to maintain our good price points amid rising costs in transport, logistics, warehousing, and rental, which we have maintained through regular orders with the manufacturer,' she said. In March 2025, Lims Legacy expanded into Malaysia with a store in Johor Bahru. CP's willingness to evolve and take risks clearly runs in the family. His children are all very entrepreneurial. Mabel's younger sister Rosalind has been running a boutique called Made in Paradise in Holland Village for seven years, selling imported jewellery. Her brother, Richard, founded Canopy Villa Group during the pandemic, offering glamping accommodations. It now has four properties in Malaysia and one in Vietnam.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store