Investing US through local broker

[stam]

is SC the only one without any custodian charges and action charges?

[soros]

Since SC is via a custodian account, why not just use an international brokerage like Interactive brokers or Saxo capital etc
Interface is reliable and relatively easier to use, the fees are comparable or lower, and both have counterparty risks anyway.
I don't see the advantage of using SC.

Could it be SC is a bank while Saxo and IB are not? Banks hv lower risk of going kaput? See how US gov bail out those banks then to let them fail.

You could argue that SC is a Singapore bank as largest shareholder is Dover Investment Pte Ltd ( shop front  company serving Tamasek ) . So definitely will not have any Lehmen moment.