Profile
UOB Kay Hian is a full-service brokerage headquartered in Singapore and one of Asia’s largest investment firms. It offers multi-asset trading and investment services to both retail and institutional clients across equities, forex, futures, bonds, and structured products. This UOB Kay Hian review assesses its regulation, execution capabilities, supported platforms, asset coverage, account options, and client protection framework as of 2025.
Regulation and Security
UOB Kay Hian is fully licensed and regulated by multiple top-tier authorities:
- Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under Capital Markets Services License
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)
- Malaysia Securities Commission via UOB Kay Hian Securities (M) Sdn Bhd
These regulatory licenses ensure strict compliance with client fund segregation, operational audits, capital adequacy standards, and investor protection schemes. The firm also participates in regional investor compensation programs where applicable.
Execution Model
UOB Kay Hian primarily uses an agency-based execution model, where client orders are routed directly to exchanges or interbank liquidity pools. For certain CFD and forex products, execution may be STP or DMA, depending on client type and market access.
Institutional clients may access direct market liquidity via DMA with advanced routing tools, while retail orders are typically aggregated or routed through partner liquidity providers. Market-making is not a core function of the broker.
Trading Platforms
UOB Kay Hian supports a range of professional-grade platforms, including:
- UTRADE: Proprietary trading platform for equities, futures, and options
- MetaTrader 4 (limited): Available for FX and CFDs in select jurisdictions
- Bloomberg EMSX and FIX integration: For institutional clients
UTRADE is the broker’s main portal, with access to order tickets, research reports, watchlists, and trade confirmations. It supports real-time quotes across SGX, HKEX, Bursa Malaysia, NYSE, and NASDAQ.
Supported Markets
UOB Kay Hian offers access to a broad range of instruments across global exchanges and OTC markets:
- Equities: Singapore, Hong Kong, US, Malaysia, China A-shares
- ETFs and REITs: Global selection across Asia-Pacific and US markets
- Forex and CFDs: Major, minor, and selected exotic pairs
- Futures: SGX, CME, HKEX, ICE, and more
- Fixed Income: Bonds, T-bills, and structured notes
- Unit Trusts and Wealth Products: Mutual funds, insurance-linked instruments
The platform is highly comprehensive for Asia-based traders seeking access to global cash and derivative markets.
Account Types and Trading Conditions
UOB Kay Hian offers both Cash Accounts and Margin Accounts for retail and professional clients. Institutional onboarding is available for asset managers and proprietary desks. Key account features include:
- Commission-based pricing on equities and futures
- Spreads vary for forex and CFD instruments depending on market conditions
- Leverage: Up to 1:20 on margin accounts (varies by asset and region)
- Minimum deposit: None for basic cash accounts
High-frequency and institutional clients can negotiate bespoke pricing and margin terms through relationship managers.
Retail and Institutional Features
UOB Kay Hian caters to a full spectrum of clients, offering:
- Custom DMA access with order routing controls
- FIX API integration for institutional clients
- Custodian and nominee services
- Corporate access events and IPO participation
- Research coverage across APAC equities
Retail users benefit from live seminars, portfolio reviews, and wealth planning tools, especially in Singapore and Malaysia.
Client Protection and Transparency
Clients benefit from comprehensive safeguards including:
- MAS-regulated client fund segregation
- Membership in the Investor Compensation Fund (Hong Kong)
- Audited financials published annually
- Full transparency on fee structures and margin risks
UOB Kay Hian has one of the strongest transparency profiles among Asian brokers, with compliance teams active across all regional offices.
Base Currencies, Order Types, and API Access
Available base currencies include SGD, USD, HKD, MYR, and AUD. Supported order types include:
- Market, limit, stop, trailing stop, and conditional orders
- Good-till-date, day, IOC, and FOK
FIX API, Bloomberg EMSX, and custom routing tools are offered to institutions. Retail traders use UTRADE with full access to order book depth and order modification tools.
Pros and Cons
- Pros:
- Licensed by MAS, SFC, and other top-tier regulators
- DMA access and FIX API for institutional clients
- Comprehensive multi-asset coverage including APAC equities
- Transparent pricing and investor protection schemes
- Cons:
- High commissions on smaller trades
- Proprietary platform (UTRADE) lacks third-party plugin flexibility
- Not suitable for scalping or ultra-short-term trading
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UOB Kay Hian regulated?
Yes. UOB Kay Hian is licensed by MAS in Singapore, SFC in Hong Kong, and other national regulators in Asia.
What platforms does UOB Kay Hian offer?
UOB Kay Hian offers its proprietary UTRADE platform and limited access to MetaTrader 4/5, FIX API, and Bloomberg EMSX for institutions.
Can I trade international stocks with UOB Kay Hian?
Yes. Clients can access equities across SGX, NYSE, NASDAQ, HKEX, Bursa Malaysia, and more.
What account types are available?
UOB Kay Hian offers cash accounts, margin accounts, and institutional accounts depending on the user profile.
Does UOB Kay Hian support API trading?
Yes. Institutional clients can access markets via FIX API and other advanced order routing systems.
