DBS Bank announced today that it will expand its ‘Adopt-a-Hawker Centre’ programme next year, funding group buys and boosting the online presence of seven hawker centres and coffeeshops, up from the current three. Through this initiative, the bank will not only improve the livelihoods of more hawkers – whose incomes has been hard hit by the pandemic, it will also prepare them for life beyond the pandemic.

The bank had piloted the programme starting September, in support of the “SG Together Alliance for Action (AfA) – Online Ordering for Hawkers”. The AfA was launched in June, and rides on the momentum of the SG Digital Office’s (SDO) “Hawkers Go Digital” programme to further support hawkers in embracing the benefits of digitalisation.

Since DBS’ pilot launch, participating stallholders from the three hawker centres – Tanjong Pagar Plaza Market and Food Centre, Chinatown Complex and The Marketplace@58 along New Upper Changi Road – have seen earnings improve by 15-30%.

DBS bank employees had made this possible by collectively raising more than SGD 115,000 to purchase 15,000 hawker meals over a three-month period. They also packed and hand-delivered these meals to various beneficiaries who include front liners in hospitals, polyclinics and vaccination centres, families-in-need and migrant workers.

Shee Tse Koon, Singapore Country Head, said: “We are heartened that the collective efforts of DBS staff have bolstered our local hawkers’ earnings, and in some way, eased their financial burden. Despite a trend of increased online adoption across most businesses, many hawkers still rely significantly on sales from walk-in customers. By scaling our ‘Adopt-a-Hawker Centre’ initiative, we seek to help more hawkers grow their business through digitalisation and commercial group buys. It is our hope that by preparing them for life beyond the pandemic, we can enhance the vibrancy of the hawker culture which is an integral part of our way of life in Singapore.”

Chua Kim Huat, owner of Jin Fa Traditional Chicken Rice at Tanjong Pagar Plaza Market and Food Centre, is a beneficiary of the DBS programme. He said: “DBS’ weekly group buys have definitely helped me increase my overall earnings. I no longer have to worry about making ends meet.” In addition, more customers shifting to digital payments has also brought him greater convenience. Today, DBS PayLah!-enabled SGQR payments make up about 25% of his daily sales, up from 5% before the pandemic. “Digital payment methods such as DBS PayLah! are very convenient and efficient, helping me to serve customers quicker. I do not have to collect, count, and return them dollar notes or coins. I also carry less cash and no longer have to go to the bank as frequently to deposit my daily collections.”

During a community event at The Marketplace@58, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat, who is also the Adviser to East Coast GRC Grassroots Organisations; Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment and Transport Amy Khor; and Minister of State for Communications and Information and National Development Tan Kiat How; joined DBS staff to pack 500 group buy meal packs that were delivered to front liners at Changi General Hospital. They also tried their hand at being a hawker in the DBS PayLah! #UltimateHawker virtual mobile game, during which they cooked and served popular hawker dishes such as fried hokkien mee, chicken rice and mee rebus to ‘monsters’ in order to win DBS-funded incentives. Proceeds from the game totalling SGD12,000 will fund at least four group buys from The Marketplace@58.

Apart from group buys, DBS employees are also helping The Marketplace@58 hawker centre to enhance its social media presence. In support of SDO’s efforts, the bank hopes to encourage at least half of the food stalls at The Marketplace@58 to provide digital payment options in the next three months, up from the current one-third.

DPM Heng said: “The pandemic has affected the livelihoods of many of our hawkers. It is heartening to see such ground-up efforts to help our hawkers gain traction – not only in East Coast, but also across the island, with many partners, such as DBS, responding to the call of the Alliance for Action. This initiative enables our hawkers to leverage digital technology and increases their presence online. The strong collaboration between the various stakeholders will help our hawkers overcome the challenges faced and emerge stronger from this pandemic. I hope this spirit of partnership will inspire more people towards more positive action and impact.”

From now till 5 January 2022, the public will be able to immerse themselves in the hawker experience with the DBS PayLah! #UltimateHawker virtual mobile game, which leverages location-based technology and enables people to play from wherever they are in Singapore. They also stand to win incentives totalling SGD 50,000. Click here to find out more on the DBS PayLah! #UltimateHawker game.

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About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 18 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney, “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker and “Best Bank in the World” by Global Finance. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 13 consecutive years from 2009 to 2021.

DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets. DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, and positively impacting communities through supporting social enterprises, as it banks the Asian way. It has also established a SGD 50 million foundation to strengthen its corporate social responsibility efforts in Singapore and across Asia.

With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.

DBS to expand 'Adopt-A-Hawker Centre' Programme to 10 hawker centres and coffeeshops in 2022