Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS): Overview and How to Search
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
1. What is MAS?
MAS is Singapore’s central bank and integrated financial regulator. It is responsible for monetary policy, financial stability and regulating financial institutions and markets within its remit. Different financial activities are subject to different licence categories and rules.
2. Key responsibilities
- Formulating and implementing Singapore’s monetary policy and maintaining financial stability.
- Regulating relevant institutions in banking, insurance, capital markets and payments.
- Promoting integrity in financial markets and publishing consumer alerts and regulatory information.
3. How to check a financial institution
MAS Financial Institutions Directory: Financial Institutions Directory
- Search by institution name or financial business category.
- Check the licence status, licence category and services the institution is authorised to provide.
- Compare the address, website and contact information shown in the directory to identify impersonators.
4. Important points
Each licence category in the directory has a specific scope; do not assume one type of licence authorises all financial products. MAS registration does not mean an investment is risk-free or returns are guaranteed.
5. Official information
MAS website: https://www.mas.gov.sg/
Refer to the latest information in the MAS directory and announcements.
6. How to read the MAS Financial Institutions Directory
The FID provides regulatory information by entity and financial business category. When you open a search result, do not stop at finding the institution: check the full legal name, licence or exemption category, status and permitted activities. Banking, capital-markets services, financial advice, insurance and payment services are governed by different regimes. If an institution is authorised for only one type of service, do not assume that it may provide other services. Also confirm that the directory entry refers to the company named in the account-opening agreement, not a parent or another subsidiary under the same brand.
The MAS directory, warning list and consumer guidance serve different purposes: the directory helps verify licensing status, while the warning list flags specific risks. Absence from the warning list does not mean MAS has authorised the firm. If a firm claims to be regulated, independently access the FID from the MAS website and compare its website, phone number and address. Singapore registration does not mean that every product is covered by deposit insurance or another compensation scheme; confirm any protection based on the product and legal entity.
7. Using the MAS directory to verify a firm before opening an account
After locating an institution in the FID, open the full details rather than relying on the search summary. Record its legal name, licence or exemption category, current status and permitted financial activities. Then compare them with the company name in the customer agreement. If another group entity signs the agreement, search for that entity separately. Different categories have different requirements, and an exemption from certain activities is not the same as a comprehensive public-facing licence.
Next, independently contact the institution using the website and phone number in the directory, and confirm that the website and customer-service representative are genuinely associated with it. When checking MAS announcements and warnings, remember that the warning list is not the inverse of the licensing directory: absence from the list does not mean authorisation. Verify customer-fund arrangements, complaint channels and whether the product is covered by deposit insurance or other protection. Keep the search date and agreement, and pause funding if identity, permissions or payment details do not match.