DBS shines spotlight on pressing societal challenges with innovative storytelling in Season 4 of award-winning web series, Sparks

Singapore, 08 Jul 2025 - DBS today launched the fourth season of Sparks, its award-winning web series that follows a group of young bankers navigating work, life and unusual challenges. Inspired by true client and employee stories, the series highlights how they go above and beyond to solve real-world problems.


In line with the bank’s commitment to create impact beyond banking, the new season surfaces some of today’s most pressing societal challenges – from scams that prey on the elderly or emotionally vulnerable, to the barriers that still limit access to meaningful employment for persons with disabilities.

Across eight episodes, the series follows the team as they work to widen access to inclusive employment and strengthen financial safeguards for vulnerable segments. Storylines draw inspiration from a range of DBS and DBS Foundation efforts, including:

• DBS Foundation Grant recipient Inclus, a social enterprise that enables persons with disabilities to access meaningful employment opportunities

• DBS’ anti-scam team, which monitors suspicious transactions and intervenes in real time to protect customers

• A coordinated response by DBS relationship managers and legal staff to shield an elderly client from financial exploitation

Season 4 is accompanied by new episodes of Behind the Spark, a companion series that delves into the true stories and behind-the-scenes moments that inspired each episode. This edition includes a feature on DBS Hong Kong’s retiree rehiring programme, which supports seniors through gainful re-employment in their golden years.

For the first time, DBS is also incorporating Sparks into its community programmes. Snippets from the series will be featured in the bank’s digital literacy and anti-scam awareness workshops, and in DBS Foundation’s Nutrition and Social Connection programme. Clips from the series will be screened during the sessions, followed by guided discussions with participants to help them better recognise and respond to scams.

Karen Ngui, Head, DBS Foundation and DBS Group Strategic Marketing and Communications, said: “As a bank rooted in purpose, DBS firmly believes that banking is about being immersed in everyday life and doing real things for real people. This new season of Sparks surfaces some of the most urgent issues facing society today – from scams to the realities of rapidly ageing societies. At DBS and DBS Foundation, we are now integrating Sparks into our community programmes to better inform, protect and empower. It reaffirms our commitment to standing with our customers and underserved communities – and shows how we deliver impact beyond banking.”

Shaun Tan, Co-Founder, Inclus, said “We’re honoured to be part of Sparks and Behind the Spark. The stories reflect what we believe – that inclusion is about seeing potential in every person and removing the barriers that hold them back. At Inclus, we recognise that addressing societal challenges like inequality starts with action. With the support of the DBS Foundation, we’ve been able to enhance our systems and services and scale up our impact. We hope our story will help inspire others that even small steps – when taken together – can build something much greater.”

Season 4 features a blend of returning favourites and fresh faces. Familiar names include Adrian Pang (“Chester Teo”), Jamie Xia (“Claire Lee”), Andrew Marko (“Rex Tan”) and Chew Wei Shan (“Alethia Wong”), while new characters are brought to life by Loke Meng Chue (“Madam Mui”), Asher Su (“Eddie”), Aaron Mossadeg (“Andy”), Dione Tan (“Megan Teo”) and Jason Goldwin Chang (“Ken”).

Since its debut in 2016, Sparks has run for three seasons and 24 episodes. Collectively, these have garnered more than 1.5 billion views and over 86 million digital engagements across the region. The series has also received multiple international accolades including Gold for ‘Financial Services’ in the Shorty Impact Awards 2024 and ‘Best in Singapore’ in the YouTube Works Award SEA 2023. Most recently, it won Silver for ‘Branded Content’ in the Telly Awards 2025.

Watch the web series inspired by true stories here: www.DBS.com/sparks

About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 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 Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. 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 16 consecutive years from 2009 to 2024.

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 businesses for impact: enterprises 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 underserved communities with future-ready skills and helping them to build 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.