This week’s news mix is all about surprises—some good, some bittersweet. One bank is taking the spotlight for customer service, while an indie cinema many of us loved for its retro vibes has taken a bow. There’s also a new kind of SME loan that flips the usual rules on their head, and a quirky doll that’s somehow outpacing Barbie on the balance sheet. Meanwhile, a fast-fashion heavyweight is rethinking where to call home, with ripple effects that could reach Singapore’s shores.
Whether you’re catching up on headlines or scrolling for fun, here are 5 stories worth your time.
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Singapore, here are your top banks for customer service
If there’s one thing we all agree on, it’s that money matters feel a lot better when your bank actually treats you well. This year, HSBC has clinched the top spot in The Straits Times–Statista 2025/26 rankings, nudging ahead of familiar favourites like POSB and DBS. Think quick responses, smooth transactions and friendly service—it’s what won them the crown.
- on Dining, Shopping and Entertainment
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Insurance is another everyday essential, and Prudential leads the pack there. Close behind are Great Eastern and Etiqa, reminding us that in moments of need, a human touch goes a long way.
And it’s not just finance. From the airline you fly with to the café where you grab your morning latte (or that bubble tea run after work), Singaporeans have spoken: good service makes or breaks the experience.
Consumer banks
| Rank | Bank | Score |
| 1 | HSBC | 7.88 |
| 2 | POSB | 7.80 |
| 3 | UOB | 7.69 |
| 4 | CIMB | 7.61 |
| 5 | DBS | 7.54 |
Insurance providers
| Rank | Insurer | Score |
| 1 | Prudential | 7.77 |
| 2 | Great Eastern | 7.69 |
| 3 | Etiqa | 7.65 |
| 4 | FWD | 7.61 |
| 5 | Singlife | 7.56 |
Lifestyle favourites
| Category | Top 3 brands | Scores |
| Airlines | Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, ANA | 8.48, 8.42, 8.31 |
| Bubble tea | R&B Tea, Chicha San Chen, Koi | 7.88, 7.83, 7.80 |
| Cafés | PS.Cafe, Common Man Coffee Roasters, Luckin Coffee | 7.61, 7.59, 7.30 |
| Food delivery | Oddle Eats, WhyQ, Foodpanda | 7.49, 7.46, 7.17 |
| Hotels (5★) | Dusit Thani Laguna, Marina Bay Sands, Sheraton | 9.13, 8.70, 8.67 |
| Restaurants (casual) | Haidilao, Beauty in the Pot, PUTIEN | 8.38, 7.93, 7.82 |
| Supermarkets | Sheng Siong, Ang Mo Supermarket, Don Don Donki | 7.98, 7.90, 7.89 |
From your bank app to your bubble tea run, service quality still makes all the difference.
Indie favourite The Projector shuts its doors for good
Singapore’s beloved indie cinema The Projector has announced its abrupt closure, just weeks after saying screenings at Golden Mile Tower would resume. The operator, Pocket Cinema, confirmed it will enter voluntary liquidation, citing rising costs, shifting audience habits, and what it called “the worst consumer market conditions in a decade.”
Founder Karen Tan shared that the decision “breaks our hearts,” thanking loyal audiences and collaborators who kept the venue alive through the pandemic and countless events.
The Projector leaves behind a cultural legacy, but also significant debt. According to filings, it owes $1.2 million to creditors.
Key facts at a glance
- Operations ceased immediately on 19 Aug 2025.
- Members are owed nearly $90,000 in refunds; total debt stands at $1.2m.
- Largest creditor: Overseas Movie ($382,888).
- Other creditors include OCBC ($200k), UOB ($106.8k), Disney SEA, Golden Village and Cathay.
- Its Golden Mile Tower space has been listed for rent at $33,000/month.
If you’re holding on to a movie ticket or voucher from The Projector, refunds won’t be as simple as walking up to the counter. With the cinema now in liquidation, it can’t issue refunds directly. Instead, affected customers will need to file claims through the appointed liquidator. The Projector has said it will be emailing details to customers, and further updates will also be posted on its FAQ page.
The refund process may be a hassle, but for many fans, it’s the closure of this beloved cultural space that feels like the far bigger loss.
CIMB launches first revenue-based loan for SMEs in Singapore
Small businesses often struggle most with cash flow, especially when income is seasonal or unpredictable. CIMB Singapore has just rolled out FlexiPay, the country’s first fully digital “pay-as-you-earn” loan, designed to ease that pressure.
Unlike traditional loans with fixed monthly instalments, repayments under FlexiPay are tied directly to daily revenue. On days with no sales, no repayment is required. That flexibility aims to help SMEs focus on growth without worrying about missing payment deadlines.
Key features of CIMB FlexiPay
| Feature | How it works |
| Revenue-linked repayments | Automatically deducted as a % of daily deposits |
| No hidden costs | Single upfront fee; no interest, prepayment or late charges |
| Fully digital | Apply, accept, and manage loans online—no paperwork |
CIMB says this innovation reflects its commitment to rethinking banking for SMEs, one of the most underserved business segments. With FlexiPay, companies can manage financing with more confidence and less stress.
Pop Mart’s Labubu craze sends profits soaring almost 400%
China’s Pop Mart, the maker of the quirky Labubu doll, has posted a jaw-dropping 396% surge in net profit for the first half of 2025. Revenues more than doubled, thanks to the worldwide craze for its “ugly-cute” figurines and booming demand in overseas markets.
Pop Mart’s success has made it more valuable than toy heavyweights Mattel and Sanrio. Its trademark “blind box” sales model—where buyers don’t know which design they’ll get until opening—has only added to the hype. Celebrity endorsements have also fuelled the frenzy, with fans ranging from Blackpink’s Lisa to Rihanna and David Beckham.
Key highlights
| Metric (H1 2025) | Result |
| Net profit growth | +396.5% |
| Revenue growth | +204.4% |
| The Monsters IP (incl. Labubu) | ¥4.81b (~$670m), 34.7% of total revenue |
| Share price | +200% YTD |
| Stores worldwide | 571 + 2,597 robot shops in 18 markets |
What’s next? CEO Wang Ning expects Labubu sales to top 10 million units per day from September—so the hype is far from over.
Shein may move HQ back to China—what it means for Singaporeans
Fast-fashion giant Shein, which set up its global headquarters in Singapore in 2021, is now reportedly weighing a move back to China. According to Bloomberg, the relocation would help smooth Beijing’s approval for its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO.
Shein has faced multiple hurdles in listing abroad—first in New York, then London—due to political scrutiny and regulatory pushback. A shift back to its roots could finally pave the way for the company’s market debut.
What this could mean for Singapore
- Jobs: High-value corporate roles could shrink if Shein’s HQ leaves.
- Startup ecosystem: Local retail-tech and logistics players may lose out on collaboration opportunities.
- Consumer impact: For everyday shoppers, little will change. Shein’s app, fast shipping and discounts will likely continue unchanged.
There’s one other softer, more subtle impact here: reputation. We’re looking at a symbolic loss, as Singapore misses out on being home to one of the world’s biggest IPO stories.
That’s it for this week! Stay tuned for next week’s What’s Happening This Week to keep up with the latest in finance, business, and beyond.
This article was first drafted with the help of AI and later reviewed and refined by the author.
About the author
Vanessa Nah likes her finance articles the way she likes her sitcoms—light-hearted, entertaining, and leaving people knowing a little more about life. She believes money—like life—should be made simple. Outside of work, you’ll find Vanessa attending dance classes, fingerpicking a guitar, and fulfilling her life mission to make her one-eyed cat the most spoiled kitty in the world.