TCL Lighting began with a simple belief. Good lighting should not be expensive or complicated. With over 20 years of experience in lighting, its founder, Eunice, started the business in 2020 after COVID-19. At the time, many people needed help with lighting at home, but options in Singapore were often costly and limited. She knew that she could quickly fix what people would pay SGD80-200 for, so she stepped in.
Today, TCL Lighting is a trusted supplier of quality LED lighting solutions at competitive prices. Serving both residential and commercial needs, the business offers a wide range of durable, long-lasting lighting used across offices, homes, and outdoor spaces such as roads and car parks.
Day to day, Eunice focused on solving problems directly, working closely with customers, and helping them recreate lighting that held sentimental value to them.
I wanted to offer solutions that people could afford while preserving memories in their old lights.
The Challenge
Running a hands-on business with everyday constraints
But, running the business came with its own challenges. It was not easy to find workers who wanted to learn the trade. The work required patience, humility, and a willingness to solve problems on the spot. Many customers preferred to keep their original designs, which meant Eunice often had to rebuild parts by hand, leaving her little time for administrative tasks.
Beyond operations, Eunice also found it cumbersome to manage everyday payments locally. While her main bank allowed local transfers, small fees and administrative steps slowed down operations. For example, it deducted SGD 0.50 per transaction and about SGD 10 a month for paper-based processes. Even though these were not large amounts on their own and transfer charges were refunded later, these small costs added up over time and made it difficult for a growing SME like TCL Lighting to balance its accounts.
I dealt with overseas transactions from time to time and held USD in my account for short periods. But, my bank did not offer returns on these balances so my money often sat idle.
Occasionally, Eunice needed to source materials from abroad. While she could transfer funds via her bank, the process took time, and there was no way to earn daily returns on short-term foreign currency holdings. She needed a solution that both supported SMEs and allowed her money to work for her.
The Solution
Making everyday business funds work harder
Eunice opened an ANEXT Business Account in 2023 and quickly saw the difference. It allowed her to make unlimited free local transfers, eliminating the small but cumulative costs she faced with her traditional bank. This freed up time and reduced paperwork, allowing her to focus on her craft and her customers.
When Eunice needed to pay suppliers abroad, ANEXT offered fast cross-border payments without the delays she experienced previously. She could transfer funds to Hong Kong and other locations quickly through the ANEXT mobile app, saving both time and administrative hassle. When she needed help, she contacted ANEXT’s customer support and received prompt responses without having to send emails or visit a branch. Eunice praised ANEXT’s digital verification system:
The ID&V 360-degree verification is smooth. I can submit documents online, and it all just works so quickly.
The multi-currency ANEXT Business Account, which offers guaranteed daily interest on SGD, USD, and EUR balances, also allowed TCL Lighting to earn interest on USD balances from day one.
Seeing money come in every single day, even small amounts in interest, felt good. Some days, I could easily buy a good cup of coffee or a packet of tissue for my clients with the interest earned [from my ANEXT Business Account].
ANEXT Bank allowed TCL Lighting to earn money while conducting business smoothly as usual, something Eunice found lacking in other banks she used. Over time, Eunice used ANEXT to hold her USD savings, earn daily interest, and manage selected payments such as employees’ salaries, giving her both convenience and returns.
The Result
More returns and greater focus on what matters
With ANEXT Bank, Eunice saw tangible financial and operational benefits:
- Cost savings on local transfers: No more SGD 0.50 per transaction fees or SGD 10 monthly paper costs
- Faster overseas payments: Cross-border transfers now completed in minutes, freeing Eunice’s time
- Income from idle funds: USD balances earned 1%* p.a. daily interest, contributing small but consistent gains
- Time saved through digital tools: ANEXT’s ID&V system and fully online document submissions removed unnecessary trips to the bank
Today, Eunice continues teaching and creating with her hands, focusing on customer satisfaction rather than banking logistics.
Looking ahead and growing with purpose
Looking ahead, Eunice plans to expand product R&D to offer better lighting solutions. She continues to maintain relationships with long-standing customers and finds joy in seeing familiar faces return. ANEXT remains a key part of her financial operations, allowing her to hold USD funds, earn interest, and manage payroll efficiently.
I could not have scaled and managed my finances this way without ANEXT. It gives me the flexibility to focus on what I love, which is creating and helping people.
Take your business further with ANEXT Bank
Every business runs differently, but having the right support can make day-to-day decisions simpler.
With an ANEXT Business Account, you can manage your finances digitally, move funds with ease, and earn interest on your balances while they sit idle.
