Should I purchase stocks through banks such as DBS or trading platform?

Generally, I prefer trading platforms (like IBKR, TDA) over banks. This is because:

• Banks generally charge higher comms
• Banks generally have worse exchange rates (although admittedly some brokers also have quite trash forex rates lol)
• Some banks will charge custody fees on foreign stocks (DBS, OCBC charge $2 per counter per month which imo is ludicrous)

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The only edge that banks really have is that money can be deposited much faster into your settlement account, but honestly, with FAST transfers for certain brokers, even this edge is quickly being eroded.