What was the reason you looked out from your current role? If there are any other push factors other than monetary, better to just leave. Rule number 1 in resignation is never to accept counter-offer once you have given the resignation letter. Can negotiate salary BEFORE resignation, not after.

Purely from monetary, RM 10k will give you better lifestyle here than SGD 5.8k. But need to consider future as well. SG has much more exciting roles and at the same level of career will give you better lifestyle until the senior roles. At senior level, Malaysian banking salary should give you better lifestyle as you can control your spending here better than in SG.

Also, if you skip this opportunity, not easy to go to SG after this.

Something to take note as well is in SG, most senior nonC-Suite salary is around SGD 15k to 25k unless you are in special roles.

In Malaysia, can go from 20k to 50k. Bonuses in Malaysia is also typically better in terms of multiplier. At this level, I personally prefer to be in Malaysia as life here is less stressful.

Most people who goes to SG will not see such fast salary growth. But I have seen some that shine as well, really depends on individual. For you, I suggest that you go if you intend to make it work with gf. Just go and try it out, and then if things don't work out, can always come back. It is easier to come back than to go to SG once your salary goes above RM 10k as you will likely not be willing to take the lifestyle hit.

Also depends on which area of banking are you doing? If you can give me broad description, I can give better advice.

For IT related, I suggest going to SG if you intend to continue to go deeper into technical role. IT roles in Malaysia are somewhat more restrictive as Malaysia banks typically do not appreciate technical expertise as much. This is not limited to IT roles alone, specialised technical roles such as quants in Risk Management, structured product / derivative pricing and modelling roles are usually more valued in Singapore than in Malaysia, especially at the more senior levels.

For management roles, I think Malaysia may offer a better path as effort to salary ratio is lesser. Plus, the salary gradient here is steeper when compared to Singapore. That is of course if you can get up to that level.

AM at 10k? You must be at the top end of the salary band. The only AMs that I know that are at 10k are those who has been in the bank more than 15-20 years who has reached the salary cap based on union agreement.

This post has been edited by DoomCognition: Aug 24 2025, 04:06 PM