of funds for the development of the country. Following the recommendations of the savings bank committee, withdrawal limits of accounts were raised from S$200 once every seven days to S$500 once every three days, longer operating hours, exempting interest earned on savings accounts from taxable income, and accepting non-romanised signatures for opening accounts. Savings competitions were also organised among all public and government-aided schools to encourage students to open an account with the bank. From 1966 to 1969, the number of accounts opened increased from 10,596 to 174,506 with deposits totaling S$57.7 million in 1969. Statutory board, new services and facilities In 1971, it was announced that the bank would become a statutory board under the Ministry of Communications. The Post Office Savings Bank Bill was passed in Parliament on 30 July 1971 and the bank ceased to be a branch of the Postal Services Department on 1 January 1972 after the 1971 Post Office Savings Bank of Singapore Act came into effect in that year. In 1974, the bank was transferred to become part of the Ministry of Finance and Credit POSB Pte Ltd was established in the same year to provide custom-tailored loans relating to HDB housing ownership. By 1976, POSB had one million depositors, while deposits crossed the S$1 billion mark. In 1980, it introduced the Passcard, and set-up the Principal Branch. In 1981, its first Cash-On-Line ATM opened at the Newton Branch. In 1983, its headquarters were shifted to the new 8-storey complex, the POSB Bank Centre at Bras Basah Road. In 1984, the current account facility was introduced, and by 1986, deposits crossed the S$10 billion mark. Acquisition by DBS Bank The Post Office Savings Bank was renamed as POSBank in March 1990. On 24 July 1998, the Ministry of Finance announced the acquisition of POSB by DBS Bank, which was fully acquired on 16 November 1998 for S$1.6 billion; at the same time, ceased to exist as a statutory board under the Ministry of Finance. POSB still operates one of the highest number of bank branches in Singapore, especially in the suburban neighbourhoods, and operates the highest number of ATM outlets throughout Singapore. The integration of both banks allowed customers of either bank to share the facilities; DBS Bank depositors may use the Cash Deposit Machine installed island-wide in POSB branches and vice-versa. See also DBS Bank Bank Simpanan Nasional – formerly the Malayan