Settlement services - Singapore
Pre-matching service
The table below summarises CBL’s pre-matching service for external settlement instructions, as well as the pre-matching method and start time in the market. For details of CBL’s pre-matching services, see Pre-matching services for external settlement instructions.
| Service offered | Method employed | Start (local time) |
| All securities | ||
Immediate Release Flag available | SGX-PTS WEB FRONT END | SD-1 |
| Connectivity medium | Instruction format |
Xact Web Portal | Tick to enable the "Immediate Release" option. |
Xact via SWIFT and Xact File Transfer | Field :22F::STCO/CEDE/IREL |
Batch settlement and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS)
CBL offers two modes of settlement, batch and RTGS. Clients opting to settle by batch or RTGS must ensure that they provision accordingly.
Batch settlement
The Central Depository (Pte) Limited (CDP) offers morning and afternoon batch settlement runs on SD (T+2). The morning batch runs from 10:00 SGT to 12:00 pm SGT and the afternoon batch runs from 13:30 SGT to 15:30 SGT. To participate in the morning settlement run, instructions must be provisioned by SD 08:45 SGT to ensure timely release for market pre-matching. Settlement confirmations are expected from 12:00 pm SGT arising from the morning run, and from 15:30 SGT for the afternoon run.
Partially settled instructions will be rolled forward to the afternoon batch for another settlement attempt.
Guidelines on cancellations of batch settlement instructions
- Settlement instructions cancellation is allowed if the instruction has not been captured in the morning batch run.
- Any settlement instruction in pending cancellation status will not be considered for the morning batch run.
- Settlement instructions that are not fully settled can be cancelled after the morning batch run but only for the unsettled quantity.
- If the settlement instruction cancellation request is not affirmed by the counterparty before the afternoon settlement run, the cancellation request will be rejected and the instruction will be attempted for settlement.
Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS)
Clients opting for RTGS must ensure that they use the below indicator in their instructions:
:22F::RTGS/YRTG
Clients need to communicate to their counterparties if RTGS is required as it is a matching criteria.
RTGS trades that are not settled on the intended settlement date are rolled over to the next business date as RTGS. Partial settlement does not apply to RTGS.
Cleared trades against clearing members settle in batch mode only. Hence RTGS trades with onward deliveries to settle such cleared trades should therefore settle before each day's batch run. Clients must therefore be aware of the applicable deadlines to ensure they fulfil their obligations accordingly, as detailed under Settlement Timings.
SGX applies a fee of SGD 5 on each RTGS settlement instruction.
Domestic allegement matching service
Complementary to the pre-matching services offered as described above and where no pre-matching instruction has been sent to the market, CBL accepts allegements via its depository from domestic market counterparties. It will then use these allegement messages to search for the best matching client instruction.
If no matching client instruction is found, the allegement is reported to the client provided that its CBL account number is present.
For details of CBL's domestic allegement service, see Pre-matching services for external settlement instructions.
Procedures for domestic counterparties
Procedure for the domestic counterparty | Deadline |
Receipt in CBL of CDP-eligible securities and government securities | |
Clients must request their domestic counterparty to deliver the securities to CBL account with Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Ltd. as follows: Deliver to: Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Ltd. (SCBLSG22) In favour of: CBL (BIC: CEDELULL) Seller: ordering party's account number in CBL | Market deadline |
Delivery from CBL | |
Clients must request their domestic counterparty to receive the securities from CBL account with Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Ltd. as follows: Receive from: Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Ltd. (SCBLSG22) By order of: CBL (BIC: CEDELULL) Buyer: beneficiary's account number in CBL | Market deadline |
Optional: For pre-matching purposes of CDP-eligible securities only, CBL counterparties may indicate CBL’s CDP account as follows:
| |
Receipt in CBL / Delivery from CBL of non–CDP-eligible securities (physical deliveries) | |
Clients receiving/delivering securities from/to the Singapore market must request their domestic counterparty to deliver/receive the securities to/from the CBL account no. 083923100001 with Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Ltd. as follows: Receive from / Deliver to: Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Ltd. (SCBLSG22) By order of / In favour of: CBL (BIC: CEDELULL) Seller / Buyer: beneficiary's/ordering party's account number in CBL | |
Allowed countervalue difference
A maximum difference in countervalue of SGD 50 or USD 25 is allowed for matching and settlement of against payment transactions with domestic counterparties.
Back-to-back processing (Linked trades)
Back-to-back processing is available for transactions in all dematerialised equities, warrants, loan stocks, corporate bonds and government bonds eligible in this market. If both the client and the domestic counterparty meet their settlement obligations and fulfil the market's back-to-back requirements within the relevant deadlines, the linked receipt and the linked delivery will settle with same-day value.
The Back-to-back processing (Linked trades) is not applicable for Off-Exchange (OTCO) until further notice.
Note: If a linked receipt against payment trade settles partially, the linked delivery against payment trade will not settle. If a linked receipt against payment trade fails, the linked delivery against payment trade will fail as well.
To benefit from this functionality, clients must ensure that their back-to-back instructions are formatted as follows, according to the connectivity medium used:
| Connectivity medium | Pool ID format | Field(s) to be used |
Xact via SWIFT and Xact File Transfer | :POOL//16x a and :SETR//TURN | Field :20C: sequence A1 Field :22F: sequence E |
a. The reference (16x) must neither start nor end with a single slash ’/’ nor must it contain two consecutive slashes ’//’.
Mandatory partial settlement
Partial settlement is mandatory in the market on trades settling as batch, and this will also apply to linked trades. CBL runs provisioning checks on both cash and securities before releasing client instructions for settlement.
Clients may therefore see their trades partially settle if the counterparty is short on cash or securities.
If a linked receipt against payment trade settles partially, the linked delivery against payment trade will not settle. If a linked receipt against payment trade fails, the linked delivery against payment trade will fail as well.
Specific settlement rules / settlement restrictions
CBL’s link to the Singapore market excludes settlement services for foreign securities traded by SGX brokers via GlobalQuote.
Settlement with Direct Account Holders of CDP (Private CDP Members)
Clients can settle transactions with counterparties who are direct account holders with the Singapore Central Depository (CDP).
The following information is required:
- Name of the counterparty;
- Nationality of the counterparty;
- Personal identification number or passport number of the counterparty or (if the counterparty is a local resident) NRIC number;
- Counterparty’s private CDP account number;
- (For client receipts directly from the counterparty’s CDP private member account) CBL’s end client (transferee) confirmation that signatures in the CDP Form 4.2 are verified and authorised.
The information provided must be in line with records of the CDP.
For client receipts directly from the counterparty's CDP private member account, the following procedure must be observed:
- The counterparty, as transferor, must complete and sign off the physical CDP Form 4.2 “Request for Transfer of Securities” (available for download from CDP’s website). Supporting documents must be provided for the type of transfer chosen.
- The completed physical form must be sent with a reference to Clearstream’s instruction, either by the client or by the counterparty, to CBL’s depository agent at the following mailing address for further processing:
Raffles Nominees (Private) Ltd.
7 Changi Business Park Crescent, Level 3
Securities Services
Singapore 486028
Attn: Securities Services
Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Ltd. further completes the CDP form 4.2 as Depository Agent and lodges it with the CDP. - The CDP may take three to five working days to process Form 4.2.
Note: Client deliveries of securities to a direct account holder do not require a CDP Form 4.2.
Instruction specifications
| Field | Value |
| Xact via SWIFT and Xact File Transfer | |
:70E::SPRO// | NCBOa/name, nationality and passport number or (if a local resident) NRIC number plus, for client receipts directly from the counterparty’s CDP private account, the client’s confirmation of the CDP Form 4.2 signaturesb |
:95P::DEAG// or :REAG// | CDPLSGSG |
:97A::SAFE// | Direct account holder’s account number at the CDP (CDP private member account number) |
a. Only when no change of beneficial owner is entailed (see below).
b. CBL does not verify CDP Form 4.2 signatures: the confirmation is taken as client verification that signatories are authorised. If the signatures on CDP Form 4.2 does not tally with the CDP’s records, CDP may reject the form and the transfer may either be delayed or may not take place.
No change of beneficial owner (NCBO)
NCBO securities transfers require both custodians to identify the final beneficial owner.
The settlement instruction sent by clients to CBL when effecting an NCBO transfer must include, in the narrative, the code “NCBO” and the name of the final beneficial owner on whose behalf the portfolio/securities transfer is being executed.
Note: (1) NCBO portfolio or securities transfers are non-STP; that is, they will not be processed on a straight-through processing basis; MT548s will be generated on such transfers.
(2) CBL maintains a “foreign” status sub-account at the CDP. Clients who are transferring their securities to CBL from their “local” status account must indicate their trades as CBO since the CDP does not recognise crossings between different account statuses as NCBO even when there is no change in beneficiary.
Suspended securities
For suspended securities, CBO transfers cannot be executed without the prior submission of a Statutory Declaration Form in addition to a standard settlement instruction. For NCBO transfers, deposits or withdrawals, the Statutory Declaration Form is not required. Clients are advised, before trading, to ascertain whether the securities in question are suspended or not and whether prior written approval is required from MAS before transferring the securities.
In addition to the Statutory Declaration Form, additional documents will need to be submitted, including but not limited to the following:
- Certificate of registration of the company;
- Registration of companies;
- Trade confirmation – sale and purchase agreement or documents that clearly state the identities of the buyer/seller;
- Board resolution for the sale
Note: Additional documentations may be requested by CDP/MAS and may only be known after submission.
Where CBO transfers of suspended securities are subject to CDP and MAS approvals, Clearstream’s subcustodian in Singapore, Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Ltd., will request this approval on behalf of the client upon timely submission of the Statutory Declaration Form.
Please therefore send:
- A cover letter providing the ISIN, account number, transaction reference and settlement date;
- Additional documents, as required;
- The Statutory Declaration Form, completed at the level of the final beneficial owner, signed and notarised;
to:
Clearstream Banking S.A., Singapore Branch
Settlement Operations
Republic Plaza #55-01
9, Raffles Place
Singapore 048619
Clients will be notified via MT564 when securities are suspended by the SGX and when the suspension is lifted.
Off-exchange declaration
The SGX requires that equity and corporate bonds off-exchange transactions are declared as either “on-exchange” or “off-exchange” transaction by using the mandatory fields of :94B: and :22F: in settlement instructions.
For the avoidance of doubt, “on-exchange” trades refer to primary and/or secondary settlements pursuant to transactions on SGX-ST. Settlements not pursuant to transactions on SGX-ST are considered as “off-exchange” trades.
In compliance with this requirement, the following two SWIFT fields for equities instructions are mandatory in Clearstream Banking in all MT540 (Receive Free), MT541 (Receive against Payment), MT542 (Deliver Free) and MT543 (Deliver against Payment) instructions:
- Field :94B: (Place of Trade)
- Field :22F: (Type of Settlement Transaction)
Field :94B: Place of Trade
The options available are as follows:
| SWIFT |
:94B::TRAD//EXCH/XSES (Singapore Exchange) |
:94B::TRAD//OTCO (Off-exchange) |
1. If the Place of trade is Singapore Exchange, please use Singapore Stock Exchange.
The Place of Trade when trades are NCBO is always Off-Exchange (OTCO). When :94B: is declared as off-exchange, you must also declare field :22F: Type of Settlement Transaction.
Field :22F: Type of Settlement Transaction
Field :22F: specifies the type of settlement transaction to allow for transfers to be executed within SGX-PTS WEB FRONT END. The types of transfers available for direct declaration into field :22F: and Type of Settlement Transaction are the following:
| SWIFT | Type of Settlement Transaction |
:22F::SETR/COLI | Collateral In or Margin In |
:22F::SETR/COLO | Collateral Out or Margin Out |
:22F::SETR/CONV | ADR Conversion |
:22F::SETR/ETFT | Exchange Traded Funds |
:22F::SETR/ISSU | Issuance |
:22F::SETR/OWNI | Internal Account Transfer (NCBO transfer) |
:22F::SETR/PLAC | Placement |
:22F::SETR/SECB | Securities Borrowing |
:22F::SETR/SECL | Securities Lending |
:22F::SETR/TRAD | Trade |
Manual declaration of transfer type: Joint account transfer “JONT”
Joint account transfer declaration is not available as an option in field :22F: (SWIFT). Clients who need to declare a joint account transfer are required to input the declaration in field :70E: or the Settlement Processing Narrative as follows:
- SWIFT :70E::SPRO//JONT (Joint Account Transfer)
SGX will conduct random audit checks on the trades; it is, therefore, very important to ensure accurate declarations. Clients with trades that are not declared as off-exchange but are deemed, during SGX’s audit checks, possibly to be off-exchange trades may be requested to provide the following supporting information within three business days:
- Client accounting system (CAS) contract number of primary (DVPT/FOPT) PTS reference;
- Identities of the instructing parties, SGX-ST members;
- Clients settlement instructions (SI) not in the settlement instructions submitted to CDP (this may include the broker informing the client whether the executed trade is on a ‘principal’ or ‘agency’ basis, or client declarations of market-related activities).
If the above supporting information cannot be provided, the central depository (CDP) will apply the off-exchange fees. The SGX has not yet announced any penalty for incorrect declarations.
Harmonised currency holiday
Settlement of instructions will only take place on common business days between Singapore and the U.S.A.
Half-day trading
The settlement of half-day trading will be aligned with the full day settlement timeline with the settlement runs beginning at 13:30 SGT. Settlement confirmations can only be expected from 15:30 SGT and there is no buy-in for fails on half-day trading.
Out-of-pocket expenses
All out-of-pocket expenses will be charged back to the client. They include the CDP transfer fee for off-market transactions, amounting to 1.5 bps of settlement value (minimum SGD 75 before GST) per settlement instruction.
Transfer stamp duty
No transfer stamp duty is payable on:
- Book-entry transactions in the CDP system; or
- Physical transactions in domestic securities that involve no change in beneficial owner (NCBO transfers).
Duty is payable on transactions in registered physical domestic securities only (which form a small percentage of currently outstanding securities and are not eligible in CBL).
Management of failed instructions
If instructions with domestic counterparties have not settled by the requested settlement date (SD), they can be cancelled via a cancellation instruction from the client. Instructions for transactions to be settled will remain pending for 30 days before automatic cancellation.
New issues settlement
CDP-eligible securities
Clients that arrange the direct subscription of a new issue through a local agent and want to have the new issues credited to their CBL client account on distribution date should instruct the agent to send the Form of Application to Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Ltd. for execution by the prevailing domestic deadline.
Clients must instruct CBL with an appropriate receipt instruction by the normal deadlines for settlement of receipt transactions. For confirmation times, please refer to Settlement times.
Government securities
Clients should advise the domestic issuing agent to deliver the securities to Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Ltd. by 12:00 noon (Singapore time) on the day on which the new issue is distributed.
Clients must instruct CBL with a receipt free of payment instruction by the normal deadlines for settlement of receipt transactions. For confirmation times, please refer to Settlement times.