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Primary Dealers' Roles and Obligations

Primary dealers are banks in Singapore approved by the MAS to be market makers and dealers in the Singapore Government Securities (SGS) and MAS Bills market. Investors need to submit their SGS bonds, T-bills and MAS Bills auction bids through a primary dealer.

Role of Primary Dealers

Primary dealers play an important role in the growth and development of the Singapore bond market by carrying out the following functions:

  • Provide liquidity to the SGS bonds, T-bills and MAS Bills market by quoting two-way prices under all market conditions.
  • Underwrite issuance at SGS bonds, T-bills and MAS Bills auctions.
  • Provide market feedback to MAS.
  • Assist in the development of the SGS bonds, T-bills and MAS Bills market.

In recognition of their specialist intermediary role, primary dealers enjoy the following privileges:

  • Exclusive dealing with the MAS in money market and foreign exchange operations.
  • Exclusive access to the MAS Enhanced Repo Facility (ERF) to borrow SGS issues to facilitate market making.
  • Exclusive right to submit applications for SGS auctions and reverse auctions.
  • Higher non-competitive tender limit and overall allocation limit at SGS auctions.
  • Tax exemption on trading income derived from SGS.
  • Close consultation and dialogue with the MAS on SGS auctions and market-related issues.

Learn more about primary dealers’ contributions.

For more on primary dealers' requirements and responsibilities, see SGS legislation and guidelines.

eApps for Primary Dealers

Primary dealers can use the eApps service to submit auction bids and conduct other securities transactions.