Wealth Tracker: Why gold & silver are the new first investment for Gen Z and Millennials

Gold and silver are shedding their image as old-school safe havens and emerging as the new entry point for a younger generation of investors. According to a report by OCBC Bank, two in three first-time retail investors in 2025 chose precious metals over traditional options like equities and funds, a sharp shift in how people are starting their investment journeys. With investors under 40 now making up half of all precious metals customers, the fastest growth is coming from those in their 20s, drawn by accessibility, affordability and a sense of stability. But as gold and silver become more mainstream through digital and fractional investing, the bigger question is whether this signals a long-term change in wealth-building behaviour, or a more cautious response to an uncertain global environment. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Germaine Tan, Head of Treasury Products and Equities, OCBC, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.