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Understanding Investment Financing
What is Investment Financing?
A wealth management tip is being able to leverage your existing portfolio to invest even further. This can be achieved through investment financing.
In investment financing, you borrow money from a bank to invest. That loan is secured by your bank-managed assets acting as collateral, which may include deposits, stocks, bonds, funds, and other investment assets.
In assessing whether an asset is a suitable collateral, we consider:

How easy is it to convert the asset into cash?

How volatile is the asset’s market value?

For bonds, what is the credit rating, or where there is no credit rating, the issuer’s financial strength?
Taking into account these factors, we derive the loanable value, or percentage of market value against which we lend you. The asset’s collateral value is then obtained by multiplying its market value with its loanable value.
The collateral value must always be equal to or more than the loan amount.
Example:
Let’s say you believe Bond A presents an attractive investment opportunity. You have $100,000 in cash to buy Bond A. With a financing amount of $150,000, you can invest $250,000.
With a 60% loanable value, the collateral value of the bonds bought is: $250,000 x 60% = $150,000
This exactly covers the loan amount.

For illustration purposes only.
In the event the collateral value falls short, you will need to either:
Raise the collateral value by:
- Topping up cash into your account
- Transferring some acceptable collateral into the account
- Selling some assets in the account
- Converting the loan into the same currency as the collateral (if the loan is in a different currency)
Or
Reduce your loan exposure by:
- Paying back the loan
Investment financing may carry significant risks and is not suitable for investors who do not comprehend it or are risk-averse.
How Leverage Works
Investment financing can enable you to invest more capital than you have on hand — and potentially increase your investment return. This is also known as “leveraging” or “gearing”.
However, do note that leverage is a double-edged sword. If the investments rise in value, your returns are magnified. But if the investments move adversely, your losses will also be amplified.
With Investment Financing | Without Investment Financing | |
---|---|---|
Own capital | ![]() $100,000 | ![]() $100,000 |
Loan amount | ![]() $150,000 | 0 |
Total capital available for investment | ![]() $250,000 | ![]() $100,000 |
Loan interest (p.a.) | 2.6% (indicative) p.a. or $3,900 | N.A. |
If your investments rise in value | Capital gain 6% or $15,000 Return on investment $15,000 - $3,900 = $11,100 11.1% | Capital gain 6% or $6,000 Return on investment $6,000 6% |
If your investments decline in value | Capital loss -6% or -$15,000 Return on investment -$15,000 - $3,900 = -$18,900 -18.9% | Capital loss -6% or -$6,000 Return on investment -$6,000 -6% |
For illustration purposes only.
Potential Uses of Investment Financing
Here are some examples of how borrowing to invest can add value to your investment strategy.
1. Fully invest your portfolio, while enjoying liquidity when you need it
ScenarioHolding cash in your investment portfolio to meet short-term liquidity needs.
With Investment Financing

2. Acting on investment opportunities quickly
ScenarioYou have a fully invested portfolio. An investment opportunity in Company A arises, and you want to act quickly — but without selling existing investments to fund the purchase. Transferring funds from another bank may be too late.
With Investment Financing

3. Implement a core-satellite investment approach
ScenarioYou wish to implement a core-satellite approach, in which the “core” portfolio comprises globally diversified assets to be held over the long term, while the “satellite” portfolio is made up of short- to medium-term investments for tactical gains.
With Investment Financing

4. Leverage your investments
ScenarioYou wish to invest more than you have, and can withstand the potential risks of gearing.
With Investment Financing
You can invest more capital than you have on hand. Please see example in “How Leverage Works”.
Risks of Investment Financing
![]() | Without leverage, you may lose, at most, all your investment capital. With leverage, you risk losing more than your capital. |
![]() | Collateral shortfall occurs when the collateral value of your portfolio falls below your loan amount. When this occurs, you have to top up your account or transfer in more collateral within a short time. Otherwise, you may be forced to sell some or all the investment assets in your account, and this may occur when asset prices are unfavourable. |
![]() | If interest rates rise, you will have to pay higher interest on the investment loan. |
![]() | If the loan is in a different currency than your investments, you may face currency risk. Your loan repayment may increase if the loan currency appreciates against the investment currency. |
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A Multi-Currency Revolving Loan (MRTL) facility will need to be opened to support your Investment Financing needs. You will need a DBS Wealth Management Account to apply for the MRTL facility.
A Relationship Manager will reach out to you.
To draw down loan on DBS digibank.
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