DBS named to Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for fifth consecutive year

Singapore.26 Jan 2022
Singapore, 26 Jan 2022 - DBS has been named to the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI) for the fifth year running, in recognition of the bank’s longstanding commitment to workplace gender equality.

Companies included on this year’s index scored at or above a global threshold established by Bloomberg to reflect disclosure and the achievement or adoption of best-in-class statistics and policies. According to Bloomberg, the threshold for inclusion to the 2022 GEI was higher. Despite this, DBS made the list, joining 418 companies across 45 markets on this year’s index.

The GEI is a market capitalisation-weighted index that aims to track the performance of public companies committed to transparency in gender-data reporting. As a reference index, the GEI measures gender equality across five pillars: female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, anti-sexual harassment policies, and pro-women brands.

Said DBS CEO Piyush Gupta, “We are honoured to be included in the GEI for the fifth year running and to be recognised for building a diverse and inclusive workplace that provides equal opportunity and growth. At DBS, woman comprise 50% of our workforce, 40% of our senior management[1]and drive our largest businesses and functions across the bank. We believe the gender, generational and cultural diversity of our people is a powerful performance lever, one that allows us to consistently punch above our weight.”

DBS has entrenched gender equality into its workplace policies and runs a series of programmes to continually improve on workplace diversity. These include:

  • Offering flexible work arrangements, maternity leave and paternity leave to support employees with managing commitments outside of work, even as they build their careers with the bank. In 2020, DBS became one the first Singapore companies to roll out a formal job-sharing scheme where two employees can share the responsibilities of one full-time role, while retaining all existing medical benefits in full and coverage under the bank’s insurance plans. This was in response to how employees were increasingly looking to reprioritise how they spend their time, and how employee needs change depending on life stages and personal circumstances.
  • Running tailored outreach and hiring programmes to bring more female talent into technology, an area where women have conventionally been under-represented.
  • Launching a bank-wide Unconscious Bias Training programme targeted at employees across all levels and markets. The purpose is to expose employees to implicit biases, including gender bias, and provide practical tools they can use to adjust any unconscious patterns of thinking. It is hoped that this will help eliminate unintended discriminatory behaviours.
  • Partnering “Lean In” to build communities within DBS that encourage mutual mentorship and support for female employees. Those participating in the programme will be connected to colleagues in similar career stages or with similar interests to have honest and open conversations on topics such as balancing work and family and challenging gender bias.

For more information on the GEI, visit https://www.bloomberg.com/gei.

[1]Senior vice-presidents to managing directors

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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.