iFAST’s legacy of innovation, integrity, and transparency, as it continues to redefine the financial landscape through digital banking, wealth management, and fintech solutions.

Since its inception in 2000, iFAST Corporation Ltd. (“iFAST”) has been a vanguard in the evolution of digital banking and wealth management. Headquartered in Singapore, with a presence spanning Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, and the United Kingdom (UK), iFAST has helped redefine the financial landscape by seamlessly integrating innovation, technology, and client-centric wealth solutions. Listed on the SGX-ST Mainboard since December 2014, the company has remained steadfast in its pursuit of excellence within the global financial services industry.

We remained undeterred, and we continue to believe in the value of incorporating banking capabilities within our fintech ecosystem and we have pressed forward to achieve our digital banking aspirations.

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO WEALTH MANAGEMENT

At the heart of iFAST’s success lies its commitment to providing a comprehensive and sophisticated ecosystem for investment and banking solutions. The platform offers access to a diverse suite of financial products and services, encompassing investment administration, wealth management, banking solutions, fintech innovations, pension administration, and institutional transaction services. This integrated approach caters to a broad spectrum of clients, including financial advisory firms, banks, fintech enterprises, and discerning investors ranging from retail participants to high-net-worth individuals.

By forging strategic partnerships with leading global asset managers and financial institutions, iFAST has cultivated an expansive and dynamic investment marketplace. As of December 2024, the company boasts over 340 distribution agreements with product providers, allowing investors to access a remarkable portfolio of 25,000 investment products, spanning 14,500 funds, 2,400 bonds, stocks, and ETFs across major exchanges in Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States, Malaysia, China A-shares, and the United Kingdom. Through innovation and accessibility, iFAST offers wealth advisers and investors unparalleled opportunities to build resilient and diversified financial portfolios.

See also: Local Powerhouse On The Global Stage

GUIDED BY CORE VALUES AND A VISION FOR GLOBAL PROSPERITY

Underpinning iFAST’s sustained success is its resolute mission statement: To help investors around the world invest globally and profitably. This principle is complemented by a steadfast adherence to Integrity, Innovation, and Transparency, which defines the company’s strategic vision and direction.

See also: From Singapore to the World

Spearheading iFAST’s transformative journey, Chairman & CEO Mr Lim Chung Chun, began the company’s transformative journey with the launch of Fundsupermart.com in 2000 - one of Singapore’s pioneering online fund supermarkets.

“With the launch of Fundsupermart.com, we hope to empower self-directed investors with a seamless online platform featuring transparent pricing, cutting-edge investment tools, and comprehensive research capabilities, changing the way individuals engage with unit trusts,” says Mr Lim.

In 2001, the company took the next step forward through iFAST Financial, a Business-to-Business (B2B) division designed to support financial advisers and institutions with bespoke transactional, operational, administrative, and technological solutions - allowing them to focus exclusively on advisory services and wealth creation.

Today, iFAST’s B2B and B2C (Business-to-Business) divisions have flourished, facilitating over 13,500 wealth advisers across 760 financial advisory firms, banks, and institutions, while managing more than 940,000 client accounts across its regional operations.

EMPOWERING THE FUTURE OF FINTECH

From the outset, iFAST embraced the ethos that true innovation begins from within. Anchored by its proprietary technological infrastructure, the company has consistently led the charge in developing groundbreaking fintech solutions that have helped shape the future of digital wealth management. Through investments in advanced IT capabilities, cybersecurity measures, and product development, iFAST remains committed to driving growth and financial empowerment.

This unwavering dedication has also led to the strategic development of two forward-looking business divisions: the UK digital bank and the Hong Kong ePension business. New entities that stand as a testament to iFAST’s prescience understanding of the financial ecosystems both regionally and globally.

As iFAST continues to navigate the ever-evolving financial landscape, its focus remains deeply rooted in innovation, integrity, and a commitment to delivering meaningful and lasting impact. Guided by its vision to transform wealth management, the company has successfully positioned itself to inspire the next generation of investors and advisers to prosper in an interconnected, digital-first world.

FINTECH EXCELLENCE AT THE CORE: IFAST’S TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN GROWTH

iFAST began as a trailblazer in financial technology, with innovation at its core. Fintech forms the company’s lifeblood, utilising in-house IT expertise to power its ascent. This commitment to technology has enabled the development of secure, seamless investment platforms, strengthening the company’s ability to serve clients across a range of industries while bolstering Singapore's greater reputation for innovation and business excellence.

FROM VISION TO REALITY: TRANSFORMING THE INVESTOR EXPERIENCE

What began as a modest venture with the launch of Fundsupermart has evolved into a mission-focused enterprise. Today, as iFAST continues to strive forward, its overarching objectives remain: to revolutionise how investors engage with financial markets by elevating transparency and providing accessibility to information that was previously out of reach.

Mr Lim says, “We have made early strategic decisions to prioritise internal technology development. At the heart of this journey has been iFAST’s proprietary IT solutions, laying the foundation that has enabled us to pursue constant innovation, and to foster agility, scalability, and adaptability.”

DRIVING GROWTH THROUGH THE IFAST IT PARTNERSHIP

A major milestone in iFAST’s technological evolution came in 2015, with the introduction of the iFAST IT Partnership (ITP). This novel framework—modelled after the partnership structures seen in professional services industries—was designed to give IT teams greater autonomy and accountability. Motivating developers to take ownership of their projects, it has helped ensure technology remains at the forefront of iFAST’s operations.

By 2024, IT roles represented over 30% of the company’s workforce, with 15 specialised ITP teams leading both front-end and back-end developments. This enduring focus on in-house IT capabilities has empowered iFAST to provide clients with streamlined functionality, exceptional user experiences, and secure financial services - coinciding with Singapore’s emergence as a leader in digital financial innovation.

EXPANDING HORIZONS: A COMPREHENSIVE WEALTH MANAGEMENT ECOSYSTEM

In step with the broader progress of Singapore’s financial services industry, iFAST has broadened its offerings to create a truly comprehensive wealth management ecosystem. From its initial focus on unit trust distribution, the company has expanded to include diverse investment products such as bonds, stocks, ETFs, portfolio management services, insurance products, and cash management solutions.

This diversification reflects iFAST’s ability to anticipate and meet evolving investor needs, supported by continuous IT development that adapts to accommodate new asset classes. By fostering innovation, iFAST mirrors Singapore’s culture of adaptability and ambition, further contributing to the nation’s robust financial landscape.

A GLOBAL MILESTONE: THE BIRTH OF IFAST GLOBAL HUB.AI

In 2023, iFAST achieved another significant milestone with the rebranding of the iFAST Service Centre in Malaysia to iFAST Global Hub.ai. Initially established to provide regional operational support, this centre has grown into a global nerve centre, responsible for the Group’s critical business functions. Reflecting Singapore’s outward-facing growth model, iFAST Global Hub.ai epitomises the company’s vision of building a truly borderless business model.

With the integration of cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, the hub is set to elevate operational efficiency and streamline workflows across global markets. By the close of 2025, AI-powered customer service automation will provide 24/7 support to clients worldwide in over 50 languages. These technological advancements extend beyond customer service to include fraud detection, identity verification, and search engine optimisation.

CHARTING A FUTURE OF INNOVATION AND PROSPERITY

Through its deep commitment to in-house IT development, iFAST reflects the essence of Singapore’s business ethos: entrepreneurship, innovation, and adaptability.

Anchored by its proprietary technology and a mission to empower investors, iFAST exemplifies Singapore’s ongoing economic success story. Mirroring the nation’s rise as a global hub of innovation, the hope is that iFAST inspires the next wave of businesses to embrace creativity, excellence, and a shared vision for the future.

EXPANDING HORIZONS: IFAST’S EVOLUTION IN DIGITAL BANKING AND FINANCIAL RESEARCH

As iFAST continued to refine and expand its wealth management capabilities, the next progression in the company’s evolution was banking—the cornerstone of the financial services ecosystem. Having successfully onboarded fundamental investment asset classes onto its platform, the Group turned its attention to what it viewed as the simplest yet most essential wealth management product—cash. By integrating banking capabilities into its fintech ecosystem, iFAST aimed to create a more holistic financial services offering, reinforcing its role within Singapore’s thriving wealth management industry.

NAVIGATING CHALLENGES IN DIGITAL BANKING EXPANSION

As a well-established digital wealth management platform, iFAST already possessed extensive expertise in enabling digital cash transactions. Recognising the strategic importance of digital banking, the Group applied for digital banking licences in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia between 2019 and 2021. However, stringent regulations and market dynamics meant that iFAST was unable to secure licences in these three key financial hubs.

A breakthrough came in March 2022, when iFAST successfully acquired a UK-based bank with full banking licences, subsequently rebranded as iFAST Global Bank (iGB). Leveraging its fintech expertise, iGB focused on enhancing its digital banking infrastructure, launching key divisions such as Digital Personal Banking (DPB), Digital Transaction Banking (DTB), and EzRemit to serve a wide range of clients. The success of this initiative was underscored in Q4 2024, when iGB achieved profitability for the first time, with customer deposits surpassing S$1.01 billion. A firm indication of iFAST’s ability to deploy innovative technology solutions securely, efficiently, and at significantly lower costs than many traditional banks worldwide.

Reflecting on these challenges, Mr Lim said, “We see banking as one of the least competitive industries in the financial sector, given the high barriers to entry, and particularly so for firms that did not have an established track record in banking. We remained undeterred, and we continue to believe in the value of incorporating banking capabilities within our fintech ecosystem and we have pressed forward to achieve our digital banking aspirations.”

A breakthrough came in March 2022, when iFAST successfully acquired a UK-based bank with full banking licences, subsequently rebranded as iFAST Global Bank (iGB). Leveraging its fintech expertise, iGB focused on enhancing its digital banking infrastructure, launching key divisions such as Digital Personal Banking (DPB), Digital Transaction Banking (DTB), and EzRemit to serve a wide range of clients. The success of this initiative was underscored in the fourth quarter of 2024, when iGB achieved profitability for the first time, with customer deposits surpassing S$1.01 billion - a firm indication of iFAST’s ability to deploy innovative technology solutions securely, efficiently, and at significantly lower costs than many traditional banks worldwide.

EMPOWERING INVESTORS THROUGH RESEARCH AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION

iFAST’s mission extends beyond providing investment platforms—it also encompasses education, research, and industry thought leadership. From the early prioritisation of investment-related research, iFAST made comprehensive market insights and analyses widely accessible to both clients and the broader financial community.

Understanding the pivotal role of financial literacy in investment success, iFAST’s in-house research teams continue to curate a diverse range of content, from market outlook reports and product updates to video presentations featuring investment managers and analysts. These insights, available across iFAST’s online platforms and mobile applications, cover key areas such as macroeconomic trends, asset class performance, and expert perspectives - ensuring investors remain well-informed.

Instead of restricting access to exclusive content, iFAST remains committed to open research access. Providing independent, unbiased investment insights that benefit not only its customers but also the wider investment community. This dedication has cemented iFAST’s reputation as a trusted provider of investment commentary. Its research and advisory teams are featured regularly in leading Singapore and Hong Kong media outlets, discussing market trends, product performance, and wealth management strategies.

FOSTERING ENGAGEMENT THROUGH RESEARCH-ORIENTED EVENTS

Beyond digital research, engaging directly with investors has long been part of the company’s focus. Across its B2B and B2C divisions, iFAST hosts research-driven events, designed to equip investors with expert knowledge and actionable strategies. These include flagship events such as FSMOne Invest Expo, What and Where to Invest (WAWTI), ETF Festival, and Mid-Year Review.

These events bring together in-house research analysts, market experts, and product providers to share insights on global markets and investment opportunities. Additionally, regular seminars, webinars, and workshops are organised to foster deeper engagement, providing investors with direct access to industry expertise and market intelligence.

CHAMPIONING INNOVATION AND TRANSPARENCY THROUGH FINTECH

As part of its commitment to financial accessibility, iFAST has consistently upheld its core values of innovation and transparency, ensuring that investors can make data-driven decisions with confidence.

“Right from the start, iFAST has believed in and has enabled easy access to research content, investment tools, and product information, empowering all investors to search, compare, and analyse financial products to enable better investment decisions,” says Mr Lim. “Essential platform features such as Chart Centre and product screeners continue to be widely used across the investor community.”

A FUTURE DEFINED BY INNOVATION AND GLOBAL VISION

As iFAST continues to grow, its commitment to innovation, research, and technology-driven financial solutions remains unwavering. Reflecting Singapore’s standing as a leader in business excellence and digital finance, iFAST is well-positioned to shape the future of fintech-driven wealth management—an industry where transparency, accessibility, and technological advancement will pave the way for the next generation of investors.