Planning to invest new capital effectively in 2026?

Two prominent choices on the Singapore Exchange (SGX: S68) are banks and real estate investment trusts (REITs).

The rationale is evident: both provide reliable dividends and hold significant positions in local investment portfolios.

However, a key distinction lies in their contrasting reactions to the fluctuations of interest rates.

With interest rates stabilizing and stock markets trading near record highs, which sector offers a better opportunity for your next investment?

We compare the income potential, growth prospects, and associated risks of REITs and bank stocks side-by-side.

Revenue Generation: REITs and Banks

REITs

REITs earn rental income from a diversified portfolio of properties.

For example, Frasers Centrepoint Trust generates income from suburban retail malls that cater to shoppers across Singapore.

In contrast, Keppel DC REIT focuses its investments on data centre assets that underpin digital infrastructure.

Regulations require these REITs to distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to maintain tax transparency, which is paid to investors as distribution per unit (DPU).

Nonetheless, REIT earnings are vulnerable to financing costs and property market cycles.

Since REITs utilize leverage for growth, investors closely monitor their gearing levels.

Rising interest rates increase the cost of refinancing debt, which can reduce the amount of income available for shareholders.

This characteristic often positions REITs as defensive, income-oriented investments.

Banks

Banks operate on a fundamentally different model.

Unlike REITs, their primary revenue sources are net interest income and fee-based services such as wealth management and card fees.

Leading local institutions like Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited and United Overseas Bank Limited perform well during robust economic conditions, as increased transaction volumes and credit demand enhance their profitability.

This strengthened profitability bolsters their capital reserves, enabling them to sustain or even increase dividend distributions.

A critical metric for investors is the net interest margin (NIM), which measures the difference between the interest income from loans and the interest paid to depositors.

Higher interest rates can lead to wider NIMs, though this benefit may be offset by the risk of increased credit provisions if borrowers face financial difficulties.

Income Comparison: Yield Versus Sustainability

REITs generally provide higher yields supported by rental income, while banks offer more moderate yields backed by broader earnings growth.

REIT distributions are primarily driven by lease agreements, whereas bank dividends can fluctuate with profitability, though banks may supplement returns with special dividends or capital return programs during prosperous cycles.

Frasers Centrepoint Trust currently offers a distribution yield of 5.4%, based on its latest unit price and a FY2025 DPU of S$0.1211.

Keppel DC REIT provides a yield of 4.6%, supported by a record FY2025 DPU of S$0.1038.

Among the banks, United Overseas Bank Limited offers a dividend yield of 4.2% for FY2025, based on a total payout of S$1.56 per share and a current share price of S$36.72, reflecting a prudent payout ratio of approximately 50%.

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited currently yields 4.7%, based on its FY2025 total dividend of S$0.99 per share, which includes a special dividend and represents a sustainable payout ratio of 60%.

While yields in both sectors are competitive, their underlying drivers differ significantly.

High yields offer immediate cash flow, but their sustainability hinges on whether the income is secured by long-term leases or driven by broader economic momentum.