DBS Bank

Can DBS Global Head of Telecommunications, Media and Technology Amit Sinha handle the hot seat and answer tough questions on AI? 🔥 What’s the cold, hard data telling us about AI’s future? Can today’s ecosystem really keep up with accelerating demand? How is DBS actually supporting the growth powering the AI revolution? In this rapid-fire series, Amit breaks down the numbers behind AI's rapid rise, explains why compute, capital and infrastructure must grow together, and shares how DBS is supporting the supply chains and businesses driving the next wave of AI growth.

Central banks are unlikely to abandon the US dollar or load up on gold overnight. But the direction of travel is becoming clearer: towards more diversified reserve holdings. A key takeaway from a recent central bank reserve management conference attended by DBS economists was that the traditional priorities of safety, liquidity and returns remain intact. What is changing is how reserve managers assess them amid geopolitical tensions, sanctions and payment-rail risks, inflation, currency volatility and shifts in asset returns. From gold and non-Western bonds to emerging market currencies and other assets, central banks are considering a broader opportunity set as they seek to manage these evolving risks. Read our full analysis: https://go.dbs.com/4yP5BNu #investing #economy #finance #interestrates #centralbanks

“One year ago, I sat there watching AI craft lines of code in seconds and realised software development was changing faster than I had imagined. I was a Computer Science undergraduate, preparing to enter the workforce. It was impossible not to wonder what these changes would mean for my future. Naturally, like many of my peers, I felt uncertain. This was not the job market we had prepared for. But the more I explored the technology, the more my worry gave way to curiosity – the same sense I had as a kid. At the age of nine, my dad introduced me to my first computer. He taught my brother and me the basics and left us to our own devices (pun intended). The first game I played was… Microsoft PowerPoint. We spent hours creating stories by adding buttons, images and simple interactions. One story involved a competition between two characters. I can't remember much of the plot except we thought it was hilarious the winner drove away in a sports car while the loser ended up with a run-down house. So when AI started reshaping software development, I leaned into that same sense of wonder, and I started experimenting. I used AI tools to learn and explore other fields including back-end development. I asked the AI questions, tested different tools and learnt through trial and error. Upon graduation, I was offered a place in DBS' Management Associate (MA) programme – after two internship stints in the bank – and that gave me the opportunity to deepen my skills through hands-on projects across the bank. I have since worked on user testing, built AI-powered workflows and now am focused on back-end development within the Institutional Banking Group Technology (IBGT). Each project came with its own learning curve. At university, I learnt the mathematics behind AI models. At DBS, I learnt that understanding the problem, designing the solution and making the right technical decisions matter just as much as writing the code itself. In fact, AI comes in extra handy here, helping me generate code in minutes and move faster on routine tasks. Instead of spending hours writing code from scratch, I can focus on reviewing, refining and improving outcomes for users. At nine, I was experimenting with PowerPoint slides just to see what the computer could do. Today, I'm experimenting with AI for much the same reason. The tools have changed, but the curiosity hasn't. AI may have changed the path I thought I was going to take, but it also taught me something important: you don't have to know everything to be ready for the future. You just have to be willing to keep learning.” – Lim Fuo En, Management Associate, Group Technology, DBS #HumansofDBS

What if AI's value isn't just in doing tasks faster, but in giving people more capacity to do their best work? As an Equity Research Analyst in Global Financial Markets, Jason uses AI agents to accelerate the research process, monitor news flow and track high-frequency industry data points. Work that once required hours of manual information gathering and analysis can now be done in a fraction of the time. While he recognises the productivity gains that AI brings, Jason believes that AI still works best with humans in the lead. AI can help analysts work faster and process more information, but accountability and human judgement still rest with the analyst, particularly when clients rely on their recommendations to make investment decisions. "AI doesn't always have the context that analysts build through years of speaking with investors and understanding businesses. The judgement still sits with us." For Jason, human expertise remains indispensable. By taking care of repetitive tasks, AI creates more room for what matters most: engaging clients, analysing trends and developing insights that inform investment decisions. And perhaps that's the bigger opportunity AI presents to all of us: technology can unlock new possibilities, but humans must remain in the lead, applying their skills where it matters most. More than just a career, it is our people, culture and vision to be an AI-enabled bank with a heart that make the DBS experience fulfilling: https://go.dbs.com/3Tr2gFf #LifeAtDBS #LiveFulfilled

As DBS prepares to mark 20 years of local incorporation in mainland China next year, we are opening a next chapter with the launch of our new headquarters at Shanghai's Jin Mao Tower in Lujiazui. Our roots in China span more than three decades. As Ginger Cheng, CEO of DBS China, shared, "DBS' history is closely intertwined with Lujiazui's journey of reform and opening up. It reflects not only the continuous expansion of our business in China, but also three decades of shared growth alongside the Pudong New Area and Shanghai as an international financial centre." Bringing our teams together under one roof reflects DBS' "One Bank" model and strengthens our ability to serve clients across the region. Said DBS CEO Tan Su Shan, "China has long been one of DBS' key strategic markets. As AI and other emerging technologies transform industries around the world, China is accelerating the development of new growth engines to drive innovation, productivity and long-term economic growth. Our new headquarters reflects our long-term commitment to the market and positions us well for the next phase of growth in China." Against a backdrop of growing connectivity between mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and ASEAN, businesses are increasingly seeking partners who can help them navigate opportunities across markets. Said Sebastian Paredes, Head of North Asia and Chairman of DBS China, "As Chinese enterprises accelerate their global ambitions, and as international capital continues to seek high-quality opportunities in China, they need a trusted financial partner that can bridge these worlds seamlessly." The opening ceremony was graced by Tan Chee King, Consul-General of the Republic of Singapore in Shanghai.

Southeast Asia's six largest economies – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – are projected to grow by an average of 4.8% annually through 2035. The finding was unveiled in the latest edition of ‘From Tailwinds to Trade-Offs: Southeast Asia Outlook 2026-2035’, bringing together economic, business and public-policy perspectives of DBS and consultancies Bain & Company and Vriens & Partners. While Southeast Asia remains one of the world's most resilient growth regions, the report finds that growth paths are increasingly diverging. Differences in institutional strength, energy security and technological readiness will shape how well economies navigate shocks and capture new opportunities in the years ahead. Amid this divergence, the region's fortunes remain closely intertwined through trade, investment, supply chains, energy and technology. The report also highlights Singapore's role as a trusted hub, connecting capital, businesses and opportunities across Southeast Asia. Speaking at the report launch, Dr Tan See Leng, Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry), underscored the importance of regional collaboration. "This is truly a win-win partnership where the entire region has to win. It is only when our neighbours prosper and develop that we will continue to be able to sustain this momentum." Read the full report: https://go.dbs.com/4yKSCfT #DBSInsights

Speaking at the Singapore Press Club’s Eminent Speaker series, DBS CEO Tan Su Shan shared why she believes Asia enters the AI era with a strong hand, but also why the region's future success will depend on more than technology alone. Asia sits at the heart of the AI value chain, accounts for a growing share of global trade and IPO activity, is home to digitally native populations, and is creating wealth at an unprecedented pace. Yet these strengths alone will not determine whether Asia can translate opportunity into lasting leadership. Su Shan spoke about the need for Asia to establish itself as a region of reliability in an increasingly volatile world, while deepening cross-border collaboration to accelerate innovation and build the next generation of Asian champions. Above all, she highlighted the importance of trust. "Finally, it's about trust. It's about predictability, whilst advancing innovation," she said. "In an AI era, trust is the most precious commodity. And it will become the most defining competitive advantage." "I often say, our ambition is to be an AI-enabled bank with a heart. When I say 'with a heart', some people go, 'hmm, that's kind of soft, right?' But I need to put the heart there, because only humans have hearts."

Building wealth is increasingly becoming a journey that starts earlier as wealth advice and investments gain ground in Singapore. In the first half of 2026, DBS saw near-threefold growth in millennial customers progressing to DBS Treasures. Across all customer segments, progression from retail banking to DBS Treasures rose 180% year-on-year, while seven in 10 customers who joined DBS Treasures began their banking relationship with DBS as retail customers. As more Singaporeans seek wealth advice and invest earlier, DBS continues to support customers through every stage of their wealth journey with personalised advice, digital capabilities and long-term partnership.

US policymakers are facing increasingly conflicting objectives on interest rates, defence spending, sanctions and the dollar. Efforts to lower rates sit uneasily with plans to substantially increase defence spending without offsetting cuts, while restrictions on access to USD payment rails contrast with measures aimed at encouraging greater use of USD assets. The US is also pushing Japan to raise rates and support a stronger yen, even as US interest rates rise. With the Fed Funds Rate at 3.75% and 10-year Treasury yields heading towards 5%, USD demand is likely to remain supported, making a prolonged weak-dollar cycle difficult to engineer. Some of these policy contradictions are now coming under increasing scrutiny. We examine these tensions in the full report: https://go.dbs.com/3VsNOgw #investing #economy #finance #business #macroeconomics #forex #stockmarket #markets #future

"It took two weeks, 10 doctors, a neurosurgeon and an MRI scan to realise what was wrong. My brain was bleeding. Three years ago, I was in Japan for a judo training tournament in preparation for the upcoming 2023 SEA Games. Repeated blows to the head left me with a brain bleed. Recovery took months but what hurt most was being away from a sport I loved. I started judo at 16 and joined the national team a year later. Judo became the centre of my life, from daily training sessions to international competitions and eventually the SEA Games. My parents, despite knowing the risks, have always been supportive. They say they have never seen me this passionate about anything before. I would have loved to pursue judo full-time but the realities were different. In Singapore, many training expenses, overseas competitions and accommodations are self-funded. To continue pursuing the sport seriously, I needed a stable career that could grow alongside it. So, after earning my diploma in software engineering, I pursued the relatively new FinTech degree at the Singapore Institute of Technology. It offered something distinctive: the chance to combine technical skills with an understanding of the business behind financial services. I eventually landed a university internship with DBS and was hired as a Management Associate in 2025. Today, I work on DBS' AI-powered virtual assistants, digibot and Joybot. Part of my role is developing and testing the safeguards behind these tools. For example, we test how the AI responds to edge cases and unexpected prompts, ensuring it stays within approved boundaries and doesn't provide information or recommendations it's not meant to. As new AI models are introduced, we also evaluate whether they improve the customer experience without compromising safety, accuracy or compliance. Judo has influenced how I approach my work. In competition, success often comes down to preparation, discipline and constantly analysing what could go wrong before stepping onto the mat. I bring a similar mindset when testing AI systems, thinking through different scenarios to ensure they're safe and reliable. I also regularly use tools such as DBS-GPT in my day-to-day to move faster on routine tasks. This not only gives me more time to focus on work that requires my judgement and insight, but also helps me complete tasks more efficiently without compromising on quality. (On the days I have to leave work punctually to make it for judo training at 7pm, this becomes all the more important!) I've been fortunate there's a strong culture in DBS of supporting people beyond their day jobs. I've always felt trusted to manage my responsibilities while growing both professionally and personally. Looking back, I'm grateful that I never had to choose between my career and my passion. Today, I get to help shape how AI is used at DBS while continuing to represent Singapore in judo.” – Pang Jia Cheng, Management Associate #HumansofDBS