DBS LAUNCHES FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND BRANCH DESIGN CONTEST
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Bank appealing to younger segment to co-create
new DBS ‘youth branch’ at *SCAPE
SINGAPORE, 11 June 2010 – DBS Bank announced today the launch of its
“I-Designed-A-Bank” contest for a new branch that it intends to open later this year at *SCAPE. It will be the first branch in Singapore designed to appeal to the lifestyle of the younger segment and meet their evolving financial needs in a unique and engaging way.
DBS’ I-Designed-A-Bank contest is the maiden initiative of the newly established partnership between DBS and *SCAPE. The contest aims to reach out to young people and provide them with opportunities to showcase their talents. It also serves as a platform to co-create a preferred DBS banking experience for the younger segment.
“DBS is marking another first in Singapore. This first-of-its-kind bank contest hopes to draw out creative energies from the younger generation. Today’s youth are confident, assertive and vocal. Their lifestyles and needs have evolved with the times and they no longer communicate in a traditional manner. We are excited about collaborating with the young to create a branch banking experience for the new generation,” said Jeremy Soo, Managing Director & Head, Consumer Banking Group Singapore, DBS Bank.
“At DBS, we believe it is important to connect with the younger generation. We want them to express themselves, register their say in the future of branches and tell us how DBS can best meet their banking needs. Having said that, we hope that both the young and the young at heart will take part in this contest,” continued Soo.
The contest, which runs from today till 30 July 2010, is open to individuals or teams of up to four. There will be two categories – those below 26 years old and an open category, and three winners per category. Winners will receive cash prizes of SGD 5000, SGD 4000 and SGD 3000 for first, second and third places.
In addition to the opportunity for the winning entries to have their branch design concepts brought to life, shortlisted entries will also be displayed at the DBS *SCAPE branch from 2 August onwards. The judging panel includes representatives from DBS, *SCAPE and various sectors, including the design industry. Results will be announced in mid August.
“*SCAPE’s key role is to empower the young people of today and tomorrow. Young people are very enterprising these days, and we can see it from the upstart of arts markets and small businesses. Through this strategic partnership with DBS, young people are given the opportunity, via this design competition, to have a state and say in how they would like their ideal branch to be. Future collaborations between *SCAPE and DBS can be expected, including experiential programming collaborations to engage the youth. Young people will truly benefit greatly by cultivating life-long financial capabilities. *SCAPE can be their single stop for diverse types of creative professional opportunities, as well as nurture their knowledge towards being financially savvy,” said Ms Evelyn Lau, General Manager of *SCAPE.
To qualify for the I-Designed-A-Bank contest, participants will need to first register to become a *SCAPE member, which is complimentary, at http://www.scape.com.sg/friends.asp.
About DBS
DBS is one of the largest financial services groups in Asia with operations in 16 markets. Headquartered in Singapore, DBS is a well-capitalised bank with "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings that are among the highest in the Asia-Pacific region.
As a bank that specialises in Asia, DBS leverages its deep understanding of the region, local culture and insights to serve and build lasting relationships with its clients. DBS provides the full range of services in corporate, SME, consumer and wholesale banking activities across Asia and the Middle East. The bank is committed to expanding its pan-Asia franchise by leveraging its growing presence in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to intermediate the increasing trade and investment flows between these markets. Likewise, DBS is focused on extending its end-to-end services to facilitate capital within fast-growing countries in Indonesia and India.
DBS acknowledges the passion, commitment and can-do spirit in each of its 14,000 staff, representing over 30 nationalities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
About *SCAPE
*SCAPE Co Ltd is a non-profit initiative by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports to engage and enable young people of Singapore. It is through our ecosystem of facilities, programmes and network of partners and mentors that young people can to look forward to actualising their dreams. As we congregate and harness the passion and talents of the new generation, *SCAPE is set to inject greater energy, vibrancy and dynamism into Singapore.
With *SCAPE's official launch festival coming up on the 19th June, watch out as the streets of Orchard will be filled with parades of *SCAPE talents and partners as we count down toward the official opening of a space that young people can proudly proclaim they belong to.