In the age of social media, we have been conditioned to measure success through the lens of others’ lifestyle inflation.
However, the ultimate financial flex isn’t showing off that Lamborghini or a five-figure designer watch.
Real wealth is actually a portfolio that builds quietly and consistently.
Owning 100 shares of OCBC Ltd (SGX: O39) at 25 may not turn heads, but it signals deep financial maturity.
Here is why such a simple milestone is actually a brilliant flex for a young investor.
The Real Meaning of a “Flex”
In the world of investing, a “flex” isn’t about showing off.
It is about thinking long-term and having the mental fortitude to value a payout a few years from now rather than a dopamine hit today.
Most importantly, it’s about being disciplined with your investment plan and consistent in building your income-generating assets.
Rather than showing your spending power like many others, you are quietly building your earning power.
What 100 Shares of OCBC Actually Represent
When you buy 100 shares of OCBC, you own a part of one of Southeast Asia’s most dominant financial institutions.
You are gaining exposure to not just traditional banking but also wealth management.
Additionally, you’re entitled to a portion of the profits.
While 100 shares may seem small relative to the bank’s scale, it still represents a meaningful stake in the company.
The Power of Early Investing
At 25, you possess an asset that even the wealthiest 60-year-old cannot buy: time.
Having time on your side allows you to leverage the power of compounding, which does the work for you.
Since compounding is exponential, the growth of your returns accelerates the longer you stay invested.
By reinvesting dividends, it also triggers a snowball effect – what starts as a “small” stake today can grow into something significant in the long run.
Why OCBC Fits a Young Investor’s Portfolio
OCBC can act as an anchor in your portfolio, providing the stability needed to build for the long-term without the stress from extreme volatility.
With a diversified business model spanning across banking, wealth management, and insurance, the bank delivered a return on equity (ROE) of 12.6% for 2025.
While this represented a decline of 1.1 percentage points from the 13.7% recorded in FY2024, the dip was primarily driven by the shift in global interest rates.
This environment resulted in a slip in net interest margin (NIM), from 2.20% in 2024 to 1.91% in 2025.
However, this is not a red flag.
Despite lower ratios, OCBC’s total income reached an all-time high of S$14.6 billion, with its non-interest income segment firing on all cylinders to counterbalance the cooling interest rates.
The group’s full phased-in Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio stands at a robust 15.1%.
In other words, it has far more capital than required by regulators and this high level of safety is something young investors should look for in a core holding.
Lastly, OCBC maintains a non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of just 0.9%.
Coupled with its payout ratio of 60%, this shows that the bank isn’t bleeding cash to cover bad debts; instead, it is returning a significant portion of its profits to you.
At a share price of S$22.59, the bank holds a dividend yield of around 4.4%.
What Most 25-Year-Olds Get Wrong About Money
Many of us tend to view money as:
1. A tool for consumption: Prioritising looking wealthy over becoming wealthy.
2. A gamble for quick wins: Viewing the stock market as a casino and chasing “the next big thing” instead of building long-term assets.
3. Something that can wait: “I’ll start investing when I have more money”, not knowing that the cost of waiting five years is often hundreds of thousands of dollars lost in compounding.
4. A hobby: Something to do only if there is “extra” cash left over, rather than an essential, non-negotiable expense.
For me, however, money should be viewed as the seed to grow income-generating assets.
From 100 Shares to a Portfolio
The goal doesn’t just stop at owning 100 shares of OCBC.
Building a system of accumulating assets is the real goal.
Once you have a foundation in a bank like OCBC, you can open up your portfolio to other blue-chip positions.
Diversify across sectors by adding giants like ST Engineering Ltd (SGX: S63) for industrial stability and Mapletree Logistics Trust (SGX: M44U) to capture the growth of regional e-commerce.
Slowly accumulate high-quality dividend payers and soon you will no longer need to add fresh capital from your salary because your existing investments can fund the purchase of another.
Get Smart: Build Your Financial Freedom
The ultimate flex is not what you spend—it’s what you own!
Starting with 100 shares of OCBC at 25 is a statement of discipline and foresight.
Remember, the earlier you start, the more powerful your future becomes.
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Disclosure: Charlyn T. owns shares of OCBC.
