News Release

Ref No: 02/2006

DBS appoints Andrew Buxton to its Board of Directors

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Leading international banker joins DBS on February 17

SINGAPORE, February 14, 2006 - DBS Group Holdings (DBSH) said today it has appointed Andrew Robert Fowell Buxton to the Boards of DBSH and DBS Bank.

Mr Buxton, 66, joins as director on February 17, 2006. A career banker, he capped an illustrious 36-year career at Barclays Bank Plc with his appointment as Chairman in 1993, a position he held until his retirement from the executive in 1999. Following his retirement, he served as senior advisor to the Barclays Group on its Middle East business until 2003.

He has extensive experience as a director, and currently sits on the boards of a number of companies and organisations, including CapitaLand Limited and CapitaLand Financial Limited in Singapore. He was a director of the Bank of England from 1997 to 2001.

Koh Boon Hwee, Chairman of DBSH and DBS Bank, said: "I join my fellow directors in welcoming Andrew to the boards. He is well-respected as an international banker and known to many as a distinguished thought leader. We are fortunate to have many outstanding individuals on the boards and I look forward to working with them as DBS moves ahead in Asia."

Mr Buxton has a keen interest in trade matters and has played an active role in advancing the interests of British and European companies on the international arena. He founded the European Services Forum, which represents Europe-based service industries in World Trade Organisation negotiations, and has also chaired the Saudi British Business Council.

For his services to international trade, Mr Buxton, a British citizen, was made a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June 2003.

Mr Buxton holds a Masters Degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford University. He has also been awarded an honorary Doctor of Science from the City University, London, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers.

With the appointment of Mr Buxton, DBSH Board of Directors now comprises 12 members, including 5 who are neither Singapore citizens nor permanent residents, and of whom 2 are executive directors. They are:

• Mr Koh Boon Hwee - Chairman
• Mr Jackson Tai - Vice Chairman and CEO
• Mr Frank Wong Kwong Shing
• Mr Ang Kong Hua
• Mr Andrew Buxton
• Mr Goh Geok Ling
• Mr Kwa Chong Seng
• Mr Leung Chun Ying
• Mr N R Narayana Murthy
• Mr Peter Ong Boon Kwee
• Mr John A. Ross
• Mr Wong Ngit Liong

About DBS

Headquartered in Singapore, DBS is one of the largest financial services groups in Asia with almost 5 million customers and operations in 14 markets. The largest bank in Singapore and the fifth largest banking group in Hong Kong as measured by assets, DBS' "AA-" and "Aa2" credit ratings are among the highest in the Asia-Pacific region. DBS has leading positions in consumer banking, treasury and markets, asset management, securities brokerage, equity and debt fund raising. Beyond the anchor markets of Singapore and Hong Kong, DBS serves corporate, institutional and retail customers through its operations in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and The Philippines. More information about DBS Group Holdings and DBS Bank can be obtained from our website www.dbs.com.