Discover the Best Corporate Finance Services in Singapore (2026)

Scope: Mid-cap and large-cap Singapore corporates, REITs, and growth companies seeking capital-raising, M&A advisory, or structured financing services.

Important: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Fees, rates, and product terms change regularly. Verify all details directly with each provider before making any financial decision.

Singapore is Southeast Asia’s primary corporate finance hub, with SGX-listed companies raising over SGD 12 billion in equity capital in 2024 (SGX Annual Statistics, Dec 2024). Businesses seeking debt financing, equity issuance, M&A advisory, or structured credit have a wide range of regulated banking and advisory options.

This guide compares five leading corporate finance providers active in Singapore, covering capital-market capabilities, M&A track records, and structured-lending expertise. All providers listed hold relevant MAS licences. Verify current credentials at mas.gov.sg before engaging any advisor.

Quick Summary

DBS Corporate Finance ranks as the top-choice full-service platform for Singapore corporates, leading SGD bond issuances and SGX equity offerings based on Dealogic 2024 league tables.

Goldman Sachs Singapore is the preferred advisor for large cross-border M&A transactions in Southeast Asia, particularly for deals above USD 500 million.

OCBC Corporate Finance provides competitive structured credit and mid-market advisory for companies that may not meet global investment bank thresholds.

Standard Chartered excels at ASEAN-to-Asia Pacific debt capital market transactions, with deep regional investor distribution relationships.

Top Picks at a Glance

Selection Methodology

Providers were assessed on MAS licensing and regulatory standing, Dealogic and Bloomberg league-table positions (2024), published deal case studies, range of products (ECM, DCM, M&A, structured finance), and minimum transaction size accessibility. Boutique advisory firms without balance-sheet capability were noted separately.

Comparison Table (Last updated: May 2026)

Source: Individual provider websites. Verify rates and fees directly before making a decision.

How to Choose a Corporate Finance Provider

The right corporate finance partner depends on your transaction type, deal size, and required geographic reach. Key evaluation criteria:

• Transaction type: Capital-raising (IPO, bond), M&A advisory, and structured lending each require different specialisations. Confirm the provider has executed mandates comparable in size and sector to your deal.
• League-table position: Check Dealogic, Bloomberg, or Refinitiv rankings for the relevant product and geography. Rankings reflect live deal execution capability and investor relationships.
• Balance-sheet commitment: Some mandates require the bank to underwrite or bridge-fund the transaction. Not all advisory firms have the balance-sheet capacity to do so; clarify this upfront.
• Regional distribution: For cross-border deals, the provider’s investor or acquirer network in target markets is as important as its Singapore presence.
• Fee structure and conflicts: Understand whether the advisor acts in a principal or agent capacity, and how their fee structure aligns with your transaction objectives.

The 5 Best Corporate Finance Services

1. DBS Corporate Finance

Best for: Singapore and ASEAN corporates seeking end-to-end capital-market and advisory services from a home-market bank

Quick Facts:

• Provider: DBS Bank (Singapore) | dbs.com.sg/corporate/solutions/corporate-finance
• ECM: Top-ranked IPO manager on SGX (Dealogic, 2024)
• DCM: Top SGD bond arranger for three consecutive years (Bloomberg, 2024)
• M&A: Domestic and ASEAN cross-border advisory
• Structured Finance: Project finance, leveraged buyout credit, revolving credit facilities

Pros:

• Top-ranked across SGD bond issuance and SGX IPOs, reflecting deep investor relationships and strong execution track record (Dealogic, 2024).
• Integrated corporate banking and capital-markets platform enables holistic deal structuring from working capital through to exit.
• ESG financing solutions include green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and transition finance frameworks aligned with MAS Green Finance Action Plan.

Trade-offs:

• For very large cross-border M&A transactions above USD 1 billion, global bulge-bracket banks hold broader international buy-side networks.
• Smallest IPO mandates may receive lighter coverage resources; mid-market companies benefit most from this bank’s full-service approach.

Source: dbs.com.sg/corporate/solutions/corporate-finance | Last Verified: May 2026

2. Goldman Sachs Singapore

Best for: Large-cap and private-equity-backed companies requiring premier cross-border M&A advisory

Quick Facts:

• Provider: Goldman Sachs (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. | goldmansachs.com/worldwide/singapore
• ECM: Regional ECM capability for SGX and other APAC exchanges
• DCM: Investment-grade and high-yield bond issuance
• M&A: Premier Southeast Asia cross-border advisory
• Structured Finance: Select mandates for large transactions

Pros:

• Consistently ranked among the top M&A advisors for Southeast Asia transactions above USD 500 million (Refinitiv, 2024).
• Global distribution network for equity and debt securities across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
• Deep sector expertise in technology, financial institutions, real estate, and natural resources.

Trade-offs:

• Minimum deal sizes typically exceed USD 200 to 300 million; mid-market mandates are generally not accepted.
• Retainer and success fees are among the highest in the market; confirm total cost of advisory upfront.

Source: goldmansachs.com/worldwide/singapore (verify current coverage page) | Last Verified: May 2026

3. OCBC Corporate Finance

Best for: Mid-market companies in Singapore and Malaysia seeking structured credit or bond issuance below global bank thresholds

Quick Facts:

• Provider: OCBC Bank (Singapore) | ocbc.com/corporate-banking
• ECM: SGX-listed and Bursa Malaysia-listed focus
• DCM: SGD and USD bond issuance
• M&A: Mid-market ASEAN advisory
• Structured Finance: Project and acquisition finance

Pros:

• Accessible to mid-market companies with transaction sizes from SGD 50 million, which global banks often decline.
• Strong Malaysia-Singapore corridor expertise due to OCBC’s dual-market presence and branch network.
• Dedicated industry coverage teams in real estate, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors.

Trade-offs:

• Investor distribution network for large bond issuances is narrower than bulge-bracket banks.
• Complex multi-jurisdiction M&A transactions may require a co-advisor with deeper cross-border resources.

Source: ocbc.com/corporate-banking (verify current corporate finance page) | Last Verified: May 2026

4. Standard Chartered Corporate Finance

Best for: Companies raising debt capital across ASEAN and Asia Pacific, particularly in emerging-market currencies

Quick Facts:

• Provider: Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) | sc.com/sg
• ECM: ASEAN-focused equity capital markets
• DCM: Top-5 ASEAN bond arranger (Bloomberg, 2024)
• M&A: Cross-border ASEAN and Middle East advisory
• Structured Finance: Trade finance, structured credit, project finance

Pros:

• Top-5 ASEAN bond arranger with strong investor placement across the Middle East and Asia (Bloomberg, 2024).
• Unique positioning across emerging-market corridors including Singapore, India, UAE, and Africa.
• Sustainability-linked finance and green bond capability aligned with MAS Green Finance Action Plan.

Trade-offs:

• Domestic Singapore M&A mandate volume is smaller than DBS or OCBC.
• Transaction minimums for DCM mandates may be higher for less-liquid currencies; confirm with coverage bankers.

Source: sc.com/sg (verify current corporate finance page) | Last Verified: May 2026

5. UOB Investment Banking

Best for: ASEAN-focused companies seeking SGD bond issuance or regional cross-border financing

Quick Facts:

• Provider: UOB (Singapore) | uob.com.sg/corporate
• ECM: SGX and ASEAN equity capital markets
• DCM: SGD bond issuance, covered bonds, green bonds
• M&A: ASEAN-focused advisory
• Structured Finance: Project finance, real estate finance

Pros:

• Strong ASEAN branch network in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and China supports regional deal distribution.
• Competitive for SGD bond issuances in the SGD 100 million to SGD 500 million range.
• Dedicated real-estate finance team with deep Singapore and Malaysia property sector expertise.

Trade-offs:

• Thinner coverage for very large or complex cross-border transactions above USD 1 billion.
• Global investor reach for equity placement is narrower than bulge-bracket banks.

Source: uob.com.sg/corporate (verify current investment banking page) | Last Verified: May 2026

Best Corporate Finance Services by Use Case

Best for SGX IPO and Singapore equity issuance

DBS Corporate Finance is the top-ranked SGX IPO manager and offers the broadest domestic investor distribution for Singapore equity offerings (Dealogic, 2024).

Best corporate finance option for cross-border M&A above USD 500M

Goldman Sachs Singapore holds the deepest Southeast Asia M&A advisory track record for large-cap transactions and has the global buy-side network to run competitive auction processes.

Best corporate finance provider for mid-market deals (SGD 50M to 300M)

OCBC Corporate Finance covers mid-market transactions that fall below global investment bank thresholds, with particular strength in the Malaysia-Singapore corridor.

Best for ASEAN debt capital markets

Standard Chartered is a consistent top-5 ASEAN bond arranger with strong Middle East and Asian investor placement capability (Bloomberg, 2024).

Best for green bonds and ESG financing

Both DBS and Standard Chartered have issued frameworks aligned with the MAS Green and Sustainable Finance Grant Scheme and have executed green bond mandates across the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a corporate finance advisor do?

A corporate finance advisor helps businesses raise capital through debt or equity, execute mergers and acquisitions, and structure complex financing. The advisor may act as an underwriter (taking balance-sheet risk) or as a pure agent earning a success fee.

What is the difference between ECM and DCM?

Equity Capital Markets (ECM) covers equity issuances such as IPOs, rights issues, and placements. Debt Capital Markets (DCM) covers bond and note issuances. Some transactions blend both, such as convertible bonds.

How are corporate finance fees structured?

Fees typically combine a retainer (paid on engagement), a transaction fee (success-based, as a percentage of deal value), and expense reimbursements. M&A advisory fees commonly range from 0.5% to 2% of transaction value depending on deal complexity and size; verify with each advisor directly.

Is MAS approval required for corporate finance activities in Singapore?

Yes. Firms conducting regulated capital-market activities in Singapore must hold a Capital Markets Services (CMS) licence issued by MAS. Verify the MAS Register of Financial Institutions at mas.gov.sg before engaging any advisor.

How long does a Singapore IPO take?

A typical SGX Mainboard IPO takes six to twelve months from advisor appointment to listing, depending on regulatory review complexity and due diligence scope. SGX Catalist IPOs can proceed faster with an appointed Sponsor (SGX, sgx.com/listing).

Corporate finance transactions involve significant financial and regulatory considerations. Engage MAS-licensed advisors; verify credentials at mas.gov.sg. All information last verified May 2026 and is for general reference only.