DBS underscores need for a different kind of bank in a post-pandemic world
Singapore.07 Jul 2022
Being a bank for the times is to be more like a startup, more like a techie, more like an eco-warrior, and less like a traditional bank
Singapore, 07 Jul 2022 - In 2018, as it turned 50, DBS told customers it wanted them to “Live more, Bank less”. Four years on, the bank continues to defy the status quo – this time, with its latest regional brand campaign, which makes clear it is more like a startup, more like a techie, more like an eco-warrior, and less like a traditional bank.
The category-defying campaign signals DBS’ belief that a different kind of bank is needed in a post-pandemic world – one that is more technology and sustainability-focused. And while this is in many ways what the bank already is today – having been ahead of its peers in transforming itself digitally since 2014 – it is committed to intensifying efforts going forward to become even more like a forward-looking tech company offering financial services, and less like a conventional bank. At the same time, it will continue to up the ante on addressing sustainability issues, having been purpose-driven from its founding as the Development Bank of Singapore, and championing stakeholder capitalism way before that was fashionable.
These commitments come amid a recognition that the world has changed irretrievably with the pandemic of the past two years. There has not just been a dramatic acceleration in digital consumption demand, but also a heightened belief that urgent action must be taken to address climate change and issues of social inequity.
Said Karen Ngui, Managing Director and DBS Head of Group Strategic Marketing and Communications: “From its inception over 50 years ago, DBS has never been bound by conventional notions of what a bank should be. Instead, we have constantly broken boundaries and reimagined banking. With Covid-19 upending economies and societies, now more than ever, we must be able to anticipate and lead change so our customers and the community at large can ‘live more, live better, and bank less’. By behaving more like a startup, more like a techie, more like an eco-warrior, and less like a ‘traditional’ bank, we believe we can be a bank for the times – a different kind of bank for a post-Covid world.”
Being a different kind of bank
The campaign encapsulates several aspects of how DBS embodies being a different kind of bank:
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Regional brand campaign to be rolled out over six markets in Asia
DBS will be rolling out the regional brand campaign in Singapore, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and Taiwan over the next two months, starting with Singapore this week.
Prior to this, the bank had launched season two of Sparks – an industry-first online mini-series. Season two is inspired by social enterprises supported by the DBS Foundation, and how they address some of the most pressing social and environmental issues of the day. To date, season two has garnered more than 400 million views and over 20 million digital engagements across Asia. The series has won more than 10 global and regional industry accolades, and was most recently recognised as a Webby Award 2021 Honoree.
Amid the pandemic, DBS also launched Portraits of Purpose, which depict real stories of hope, courage, perseverance and generosity among individuals, businesses and communities in the face of adversity. It has garnered over 32 million views and two million digital engagements to date. 
DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” and “World’s Best Digital Bank” by multiple publications such as Euromoney, Global Finance and The Banker in recent years. In 2019, the bank was also featured among the top 10 business transformations of the decade in Harvard Business Review. In 2022, it was recognised by Brand Finance as the most valuable bank brand in Southeast Asia and among the top 40 global bank brands, with a brand value of USD 8.7 billion.
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, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting social enterprises: businesses with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping communities with future-ready skills and building food resilience.
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.
The category-defying campaign signals DBS’ belief that a different kind of bank is needed in a post-pandemic world – one that is more technology and sustainability-focused. And while this is in many ways what the bank already is today – having been ahead of its peers in transforming itself digitally since 2014 – it is committed to intensifying efforts going forward to become even more like a forward-looking tech company offering financial services, and less like a conventional bank. At the same time, it will continue to up the ante on addressing sustainability issues, having been purpose-driven from its founding as the Development Bank of Singapore, and championing stakeholder capitalism way before that was fashionable.
These commitments come amid a recognition that the world has changed irretrievably with the pandemic of the past two years. There has not just been a dramatic acceleration in digital consumption demand, but also a heightened belief that urgent action must be taken to address climate change and issues of social inequity.
Said Karen Ngui, Managing Director and DBS Head of Group Strategic Marketing and Communications: “From its inception over 50 years ago, DBS has never been bound by conventional notions of what a bank should be. Instead, we have constantly broken boundaries and reimagined banking. With Covid-19 upending economies and societies, now more than ever, we must be able to anticipate and lead change so our customers and the community at large can ‘live more, live better, and bank less’. By behaving more like a startup, more like a techie, more like an eco-warrior, and less like a ‘traditional’ bank, we believe we can be a bank for the times – a different kind of bank for a post-Covid world.”
Being a different kind of bank
The campaign encapsulates several aspects of how DBS embodies being a different kind of bank:
- Inculcating a startup culture: Emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence/ machine learning continue to mature and will likely reshape the world of finance in the coming decade. By imbuing a startup culture in the organisation and equipping employees with important digital skills, a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship will continue to flourish.
- Committing to continuous innovation: DBS embarked on its digital transformation journey in 2014 so customers can “live more, bank less”, and have more time to spend on the people and things they care about. In recent years, it has intensified these efforts, which have contributed to it being named “World’s Best Bank” and “World’s Best Digital Bank” multiple times. Whether it is in leveraging artificial intelligence/ machine learning and data, blockchain technology, or tying up ecosystem partnerships, the bank seeks to ensure that banking is simple, fast and effortless, increasingly personalised, and seamlessly woven into everyday life.
- Advancing the sustainability agenda: From banking underserved communities and supporting social enterprises to prioritising action on climate change, DBS is guided by a sense of responsibility to society and planet. The bank also champions financial inclusion and zero food waste. In 2021, DBS was the first Singapore bank to join the United Nations-convened, industry-led Net-Zero Banking Alliance, pledging to align its lending and investment portfolios with net zero emissions by 2050. Earlier this year, it also committed an additional SGD 100 million to grow DBS Foundation’s existing ‘Business for Impact Chapter’ and to set up a new ‘Community Impact Chapter’. The increased funding will also support other philanthropic and relief efforts.
DBS will be rolling out the regional brand campaign in Singapore, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and Taiwan over the next two months, starting with Singapore this week.
Prior to this, the bank had launched season two of Sparks – an industry-first online mini-series. Season two is inspired by social enterprises supported by the DBS Foundation, and how they address some of the most pressing social and environmental issues of the day. To date, season two has garnered more than 400 million views and over 20 million digital engagements across Asia. The series has won more than 10 global and regional industry accolades, and was most recently recognised as a Webby Award 2021 Honoree.
Amid the pandemic, DBS also launched Portraits of Purpose, which depict real stories of hope, courage, perseverance and generosity among individuals, businesses and communities in the face of adversity. It has garnered over 32 million views and two million digital engagements to date. 
DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” and “World’s Best Digital Bank” by multiple publications such as Euromoney, Global Finance and The Banker in recent years. In 2019, the bank was also featured among the top 10 business transformations of the decade in Harvard Business Review. In 2022, it was recognised by Brand Finance as the most valuable bank brand in Southeast Asia and among the top 40 global bank brands, with a brand value of USD 8.7 billion.
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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, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting social enterprises: businesses with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping communities with future-ready skills and building food resilience.
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.