At a glance: FAST and PayNow generally allow up to S$200,000 per transaction on participating banks, subject to your personal daily limit and any additional bank controls (e.g., added-payee requirements). Always check your bank’s app for your exact limits.
Personal accounts — typical defaults & how to raise them
| Bank | Default daily limits (selected channels) | Maximum you can set* | How to increase | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DBS/POSB | To other banks: S$1,000 (initial). To DBS/POSB: S$3,000 (initial). | Up to S$200,000 (local transfers/PayNow; client segment caps may apply). | digibank app > More > Local Transfer Limit. | PayNow limit is managed under “Other local bank account”. |
| OCBC | Local bank transfers: S$5,000 (default). PayNow & NETS QR: S$1,000 (default). | Typically up to S$200,000 for FAST/PayNow, subject to your daily cap. | OCBC Digital app or Online Banking > Manage transaction limits. | Changes are authorised via OCBC OneToken or hardware token. |
| UOB | Funds transfer daily default: S$5,000. | Up to S$200,000. | UOB TMRW / Personal Internet Banking > Transaction Limits. | Ad-hoc payments above S$1,000 and saved-payee payments above S$5,000 require transaction signing. |
| Standard Chartered | Daily transfer limit default: S$5,000. One-time (ad-hoc) PayNow total per day: S$1,000. | PayNow QR payments can exceed S$1,000 with extra PIN; higher limits available for added payees. | Online Banking > Security & Limits Maintenance (or see “Limit Management” guide). | Separate “authorisation limit” at S$5,000 governs when additional credentials are required. |
| HSBC | PayNow/Local: up to S$1,000 daily without Digital Secure Key; with it, higher amounts. | Up to S$200,000 per transaction, capped by your 3rd-party daily limit. | HSBC Singapore app > Profile > manage PayNow/limits. | Activate Digital Secure Key to enable higher limits. |
| Citibank Singapore | Default cumulative daily limit for PayNow: S$5,000. | Maximum cumulative daily limit for PayNow: S$200,000. | Citi Mobile® App or Citibank Online > Payments & Transfers > Manage Payments & Transactions. | Review limits periodically as a good security practice. |
| Maybank Singapore | Customer daily cap (Digital Banking): up to S$200,000. | Per-service “Daily Transaction Limits” adjustable within the overall customer cap. | Maybank2u Online or app > Settings > Pay & Transfer > View/Manage Limit. | “Daily Customer Limit” is a global cap across digital services. |
| CIMB Singapore | Default daily Pay & Transfer limit: S$3,000. | Higher limits available; set in Clicks (cooling-off applies). | CIMB Clicks (Online/Mobile) > Services > Change > Daily Limit. | Increasing limits triggers a 3-hour cooling-off period before higher limits take effect. |
| GXS Bank (digital bank) | Default daily transfer limit: S$1,000. | Adjustable up to S$100,000 per day. | GXS app > Me > Change limits. | PayNow/Scan QR follow your daily transfer limit settings. |
| MariBank (digital bank) | Daily local transfer limit range: S$500 – S$150,000. | Within published range for Savings Account; set in app. | MariBank app > Me > Transfer Settings > Daily Transfer Limit. | Latest fees/limits page shows current ranges and effective date. |
* Max figures are subject to your bank’s risk checks, account segment, and any cooling-off or authorisation requirements. Per-transaction caps for FAST/PayNow (commonly S$200,000) also apply.
How banks keep you safe (and why limits change)
- Added-payee controls: Some banks cap one-time (ad-hoc) PayNow to S$1,000 per day until you add the recipient as a payee. This reduces the chance of large mistaken or fraudulent transfers.
- Extra authentication: Higher amounts usually require digital token / secure key authorisation. Enabling your bank’s in-app token typically unlocks higher ceilings.
- Cooling-off periods: Raising limits may not take effect immediately. For example, some banks use a short cooling-off window before the higher cap becomes usable.
- Global caps: A few banks use an overall “Daily Customer Limit” across services (e.g., transfers, bill payments). Your per-service limits cannot exceed that total.
Tips to increase your limit smoothly
- Update and secure your app: Turn on the bank’s digital token/secure key and ensure push notifications are enabled.
- Add the recipient first: For larger PayNow/FAST transfers, save the payee to lift ad-hoc caps where applicable.
- Adjust in-app: In most apps you’ll find Settings or Transfer/Transaction Limits. Raise only what you need for the day, then lower again after completing the transfer.
- Plan for the buffer: If your bank applies a cooling-off period after an increase, adjust limits early so the higher cap is ready when you need it.
Important: Banking limits and controls are updated from time to time. For high-value transfers or anything time-critical, confirm the latest rules on your bank’s official site or app before you proceed.
Official references
- Industry limits: ABS — FAST (Fact Sheet) and FAST FAQ.
- DBS/POSB: Change Transfer & Payment Limits and PayNow FAQ.
- OCBC: Manage transaction limits (step-by-step) and default limits pages (daily limits overview, PayNow/FAST notes).
- UOB: Online Banking: Transaction Limits.
- Standard Chartered: Lowering of Daily Transaction Limits to S$5,000, PayNow – Fund Transfers, and Limit Management.
- HSBC: PayNow (Singapore) and PayNow FAQs.
- Citibank Singapore: Changes to PayNow daily limits (notice).
- Maybank Singapore: Daily Customer Limit & Daily Transaction Limits (FAQ).
- CIMB Singapore: CIMB Clicks — Frequently Asked.
- GXS Bank: Change daily transfer limit.
- MariBank: Mari Savings Account — Fees & Limits.
For critical decisions or time-sensitive payments, please verify details on the official pages above before you act.
