Redefining Investment, Revolutionising Trading, and Driving Social Impact with CGS International.

CGS International (“CGSI”) is a homegrown brokerage with a rich history and strong Asian heritage. With over 46 years of experience, CGSI has established a successful track record as a pioneering financial services provider, beginning as G.K. Goh Stockbrokers in 1979. Following various mergers and acquisitions, it was rebranded to CGS International in 2024.

Over the decades, CGS International’s deep Asian roots and extensive international presence have provided it with a unique perspective, enabling it to serve as a gateway to key global markets and investment opportunities.

This strong foundation has propelled its growth into an award-winning, market-leading integrated financial services provider, consistently ranked among the top securities houses in Asia, and the top three brokers on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) by volume.

CGSI’s reputation for excellence spans the full spectrum of integrated financial services that it now offers across institutional and retail segments, allowing clients to grow with them as their financial needs evolve. These services include Private Wealth, Asset Management, Prime Services, Institutional Services, Investment Banking, Equities Trading, and Leveraged Products.

Uniquely, CGS International is also the only broker in Singapore to offer Shariah-compliant investments to an underserved, yet growing segment, of investors looking for ethical and faith-based investment solutions.

As part of its strategic expansion, CGS International has attained full asset management licences in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, as well as investment banking licences in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, further solidifying its presence across key financial markets in the region.

Indeed, with a footprint in over 15 countries and regions, CGSI has earned the trust of close to 18 million clients globally, alongside its parent company, China Galaxy Securities (CGS). Its commitment to innovation, expertise, and client-focused solutions continues to strengthen its position as a leading force in the financial industry.

Secondary listing of Helens International on SGX on 19 Jul 2024

REDEFINING CROSS-BORDER INVESTMENT SUCCESS

In particular, CGSI is actively strengthening its position as a key player in China-ASEAN economic and financial relations, leveraging its Chinese parentage to facilitate cross-border investment and business opportunities.

CGSI empowers businesses to enhance their financial offerings without the complexities of developing their own systems and technology.

A major milestone in this effort was the secondary listing of Helens International on the SGX in July 2024 - the first Chinese company to be listed on the SGX since the publishing of the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) in February 2023. Despite the complexities, CGSI successfully completed the transaction in six months, showcasing its efficiency and expertise in navigating different and challenging regulatory requirements. As Issue Manager for its first Initial Public Offering (IPO), CGSI helped Helens International expand beyond Hong Kong and tap into Southeast Asia’s institutional investor base. At its point of listing, Helens International had a market capitalisation of approximately S$470 million.

Additionally, CGSI’s close collaboration with the CGS Consumer Team in Mainland China accelerated the CSRC approval process, securing the approval within one and a half months, further demonstrating the value of its extensive network.

The success of Helens International’s listing is also a testament to CGSI’s collaborative approach, drawing on the expertise of multiple internal teams to ensure seamless execution.

Furthermore, this achievement has elevated CGSI’s profile and strengthened its reputation as a trusted investment banking partner, opening doors to new opportunities for secondary listings and strategic partnerships in the region.

CGSI’s reputation for excellence spans the full spectrum of integrated financial services that it now offers across institutional and retail segments, allowing clients to grow with them as financial needs evolve.

CGSI Brand Launch in Singapore on 18 Apr 2024

REVOLUTIONISING TRADING EXPERIENCES

At the same time, CGSI is driving innovation in the financial sector with UP, a next-generation trading app designed to democratise investing for all. With a focus on accessibility and user-friendly technology, UP is revolutionising the way individuals - particularly Gen Z, young millennials, and first-time investors – engage with financial markets. Pointedly, UP showcases CGSI’s innovation, collaboration, and resilience.

Launched in 2024, UP fills a gap in the market by lowering barriers to entry and enabling new investors to approach investing safely and responsibly. Its streamlined user interface and user experience (UI/UX) eliminates complexities, making investing intuitive and accessible. Meanwhile, the SaveUP feature allows users to invest in small, manageable increments, starting from as little as S$1 per month.

UP also integrates CGS International’s award-winning financial insights and educational content within its Discover function, offering bite-sized infographics to make financial education more engaging and accessible to beginners. By providing curated content from a reputable source, UP instils financial confidence in new investors.

In addition, UP distinguishes itself as the first trading platform to offer fractional share trading for the first Southeast Asia market - Bursa Malaysia - alongside US equities, without significant upfront costs. This feature enables investors to diversify easily into multiple stocks and build up a balanced portfolio which is more resilient and cycle-proof over the long term. Moreover, UP facilitates trading on the SGX, providing a seamless and inclusive investment experience across multiple markets.

Setting itself apart, a ground-breaking technological advancement within UP is its built-in automated share allocation and warehousing system, making CGS International the first in Asia to deploy this structure. By automating this process, CGS International enhances operational efficiency and provides a seamless trading experience for users, reinforcing its reputation as a market leader in fintech innovation.

Beyond trading, UP can be expanded to offer Investment-as-a-Service (IaaS) solutions, allowing partner firms to leverage the platform’s capabilities under their own branding. CGSI can empower businesses to enhance their financial offerings without the complexities of developing their own systems and technology through a Business-to-Business-to-Consumer (B2B2C) model, providing execution services and products.

The platform’s continued regional expansion reflects CGSI’s dedication to bringing innovative financial solutions to new markets.

At the same time, CGSI is continuously enhancing its trading platform, iTrade, to provide traders of all levels with a robust and competitive investment experience. One improvement was the introduction of credit interest on excess cash left in accounts, encouraging ongoing platform engagement.

Another upgrade was an enhanced iTrade for Margin Trading Account, allowing clients the flexibility to effortlessly trade listed securities in 10 markets, including Shenzhen and Shanghai Connect.

Mr Malcolm Koo, Singapore CEO, CGSI, with Allkin Singapore to promote financial literacy to the elderly.

DRIVING SOCIAL IMPACT THROUGH EDUCATION

Beyond its investment expertise, CGSI is committed to creating meaningful impact in every market it operates in. CGSI’s sustainability efforts to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4, 8, and 13, Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Climate Action, respectively. In Singapore, a significant aspect of CGSI’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts is dedicated to financial literacy.

One of its flagship initiatives focuses on helping the elderly safeguard their finances by developing programmes aimed at financial scam awareness and prevention. Leading a strategic partnership between the National Crime Prevention Council and the People’s Association (PA), CGSI successfully delivered over 100 hours of financial literacy programmes across Singapore, equipping more than 1,000 seniors with vital knowledge on avoiding financial scams.

In recognition of its contributions, CGS International was honoured with the People’s Association Community Spirit Award in 2023.

Besides supporting the elderly, CGSI has also empowered students, becoming the first financial institution to launch the ASEAN Investment Challenge for all Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) students in Singapore.

Through financial literacy skills workshops, students gained practical exposure to risk management, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, trading methodologies, Islamic Finance and portfolio management, while also networking and collaborating with peers from across ASEAN.

CGSI volunteers conducting a basic financial literacy programme at MINDS

CGSI further expanded its financial literacy initiatives to two special groups in Singapore – people living with dementia and members of the intellectually disabled community from MINDS, formerly known as Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore. Through collaborations with organisations such as Allkin Singapore, Community Chest, PA, MINDS and TOUCH Community Services, CGSI developed tailored financial education programmes to deliver impactful and accessible learning experiences for these communities.

CGSI volunteers packing festive bags for Community Chest Fu Dai 2025

For its exceptional commitment to CSR, CGSI was awarded the Company of Good 3-Hearts Award by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre - the second-highest tier of recognition for companies that adopt corporate purpose and demonstrate impact across the people, society, governance, environment, and economic dimensions.

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF ASIAN FINANCE

Forging ahead, CGSI is driving bold and purposeful innovation, reshaping the financial landscape. It is simplifying and democratising investing while fostering meaningful financial connections for a sustainable future. And as a strategic bridge between China and ASEAN, CGSI seeks to leverage its strong Chinese parentage and CGS to collaborate closely with China Investment Corporation (CIC), facilitating cross-border capital flows and investment opportunities as Chinese companies expand internationally.

To further enhance its offerings, CGSI is strengthening its Private Wealth division, catering to the growing number of high-net-worth individuals and family offices in Singapore, providing tailored financial solutions to meet evolving client needs.

CGSI bags win at SBR Technology Excellence Awards

Over the years, CGS International has received multiple industry accolades, including Best Broker by Alpha Southeast Asia, The Asset Triple A, and FinanceAsia, as well as awards from SGX, Asian Banking & Finance, and Asia Asset Management. Its research capabilities have also earned top rankings — including the first-place overall country rank in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, and the second-place in Indonesia, according to the Institutional Investor Awards.

By promoting a culture of experimentation and collaboration, CGS International ensures that growth remains bold, intentional, and rooted in trust. Guided by client focus, data-driven insights, risk management, and a long-term vision, CGS International is steadily solidifying its position as a world-class investment bank in Asia.