This week, we’re seeing a mix of big-ticket life stuff (hello, BTO season). HDB has dropped the February launch—plus a June preview that’s bringing public housing back to Lakeview and Shunfu for the first time in decades. I’m not even in the market for a BTO right now, but my eyes are crossing just looking at all the options across the Feb and June launches. If all this good housing news feels like a well-timed carrot dangled right before Budget 2026, you’re probably not alone in thinking so.
Meanwhile, gold is back in the spotlight with analysts tipping eye-watering prices for 2026—a trend that could matter more than you think, even if you don’t own a single gold bar.
On the ground, banks are making ang bao note collection less of a queueing sport, and Singapore’s latest labour report shows salary increases that actually feel meaningful after inflation.
Ready to get smart on the latest in finance? Here are the stories you shouldn’t miss.
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February 2026 BTO: more flats, more options, and some seriously short waits
HDB’s February 2026 sales exercise is a big one: 9,012 flats across both BTO and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF). The main headline: you’re getting more choice, and in some cases, a much faster path to collecting keys. Around 8 in 10 BTO flats this round have waiting times under 4 years. That’s a big deal in a world where “waiting for BTO” has become a running joke.
The SBF side is also worth paying attention to. With 4,320 balance flats islandwide—and close to 1 in 5 already completed—this is the closest thing to “skip the wait” in the HDB system.
ALSO READ: HDB BTO Feb 2026 Review: Expected Application Rates, Prices, Resale Values, Amenities, and More
June 2026 BTO: Lakeview and Shunfu are back after 40+ years
If you grew up hearing your parents talk about how “Shunfu used to be different”, well, now it’s getting a fresh chapter.
Artist’s impression of the 3 BTO projects in Lakeview and Shunfu. Image: HDB
HDB has confirmed 3 upcoming BTO projects at Lakeview and Shunfu from June 2026, marking the first time in over 4 decades that new public housing is introduced in these areas. That’s huge for buyers who care about mature-estate convenience without paying resale prices.
The first Lakeview project is expected to launch in June 2026 with around 1,200 units, and the other 2 projects will roll out within the next 2 years. For families who want to live near Bishan, Toa Payoh, or Ang Mo Kio, this could become one of the most closely watched launches of the year.
ALSO READ: Buying an HDB BTO Flat in Singapore: A Step-By-Step Guide (2026)
Reuters poll: Gold could average $4,746.50/oz in 2026
Gold is doing what gold does best: getting everyone’s attention the moment the world starts feeling shaky.
A Reuters poll of 30 analysts and traders now expects gold to average $4,746.50 per ounce in 2026—the highest annual forecast in Reuters polls going back to 2012. And it’s not just a small upgrade either. Back in October, the estimate was $4,275. A year ago, forecasts were closer to $2,700.
So what does this mean for regular people in Singapore?
Even if you don’t invest in gold, it’s often a “stress signal” for the global economy. When gold rises this aggressively, it usually reflects uncertainty—geopolitics, trade tension, fears about debt, or central banks preparing for rougher waters.
Also worth noting: silver forecasts are climbing too, with analysts expecting $79.50/oz in 2026, though volatility is likely to stay high.
ALSO READ: Gold Prices Smash New Record—Here's How to Invest in Gold in Singapore (2025)
Ang bao notes: Banks are trying to make it less painful this year
If you’ve ever queued for ang bao notes and questioned your life choices, you’re not alone, and the banks know it.
From 3 Feb 2026, DBS, OCBC, and UOB kicked off notes exchange, and this year’s focus is clear: reduce waiting time, reduce chaos. DBS, in particular, introduced pre-packed bundles at 30 branches, based on a pilot in 2025 that apparently went well.
The bundles are worth $800 and come in practical mixes (like $2, $10, and $50 notes) so people can get in, grab what they need, and get out without spending 30 minutes debating denominations at the counter.
What this means for you: if you still prefer physical notes (and let’s be real, many people do), you’ll likely spend less time queueing. And if you’re ready to go digital, QR hongbao options are becoming more common every year—especially among younger families.
ALSO READ: CNY Ang Bao Guide in Singapore (2026): Ang Bao Rates, Where to Get Notes, And More
Labour Force in Singapore 2025: Salaries rose, and the gains actually beat inflation
Singapore’s latest Labour Force in Singapore 2025 report paints a fairly solid picture: the labour market held up well, wages rose, and job stability improved—even with global uncertainty still hanging around.
The part most people care about is income. Nominal median income grew 5.0%, while the 20th percentile grew 4.6%. But the more important detail is this: inflation eased, so real incomes rose strongly too—4.1% at the median and 3.6% at the 20th percentile.
In other words, this wasn’t just “your pay went up, but everything got more expensive anyway”. For many workers, wages genuinely stretched further in 2025.
The report also suggests that income inequality narrowed, and permanent employment rose to a new high of 90.8%. Meanwhile, unemployment stayed low at 2.8% for both PMETs and non-PMETs.
For readers, the takeaway is simple: salary growth is still happening, and the job market remains firm—but job switching is slowing, which could mean people are becoming more cautious about taking risks.
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.
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