$7.5k after 6 years indeed is very impressive for a non-grad. That's almost a Band 6 salary on the low end at StanChart. Out of curiosity, what happened between 2007 and 2015? Which industry did you switch to? Since your salary was hovering in the Band 6 range across these 8 years.

Here's my progression:

UOB:
2010 - entered as Senior Officer as fresh grad at $3.25k
2013 - promoted to Manager in 2013, $4.7k
2015 - promoted to AVP, $6k

DBS:
2017 - entered as AVP after 1-year stint in non-local bank at $9.5k, currently $10.3k

What is your role and how much bonus are you currently on?

In a middle office function, last year's bonus was ~5 months

choosing the right industry can make a paramount difference.

One example I know, an NUS phd, started with 3.5k per month, after 10 years working in A*STAR, only making 6.6k per month, ~100k per annum.

After switching to banking. 4 years later, is making 18k per month, ~250k per annum. Think what could have been achieved if started in banking straight out of school.

Is he doing same role in banking?

Actually does anyone knows if the jobs posted by these 3 local banks in the various portals are actual vacancies? I have seen the same role on portals for more almost half a year...

Started in non bank 3k -2013
Now in foreign bank 6.4k -2019

You didn't read properly. He joined ocbc in 2000 with 3 years experience. That is 10-11 years to get to 7.5k. Lol..

Band 6 in Stanchart is 8k thereabouts? I'm slated to be promoted to Band 6 next year and I'm more than 2k away from the 8k mark. I don't see how HR will give me such a big increase when the time comes. Sigh.