In the Asia-Pacific region, SMEs are redefining growth via digital transformation, resilient supply chains, and expanding regional trade.
Regional Winner | DBS Bank
Its exceptional support for the SME ecosystem has earned DBS Bank this year’s Best SME Bank award in the Asia-Pacific region for the second consecutive year.
In the opinion of Global Finance’s judges, DBS has built one of the most advanced SME banking platforms in the region, enabling SMEs to grow with confidence in a rapidly changing environment. Through the bank’s digital solutions, business owners can manage accounts, payroll, invoicing, and payments all in one place, gaining a real-time view of cash flow and overall business performance.
In collaboration with Enterprise Singapore—a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry—the bank launched its ESG Ready Programme, which builds SMEs’ sustainability capabilities and helps them integrate ESG considerations into their business strategies.
On the digital front, the bank’s Spark GenAI program, run with Enterprise Singapore and the Infocomm Media Development Authority—a statutory board under Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information—aims to reach 50,000 SMEs, helping them explore, adopt, and implement tools driven by artificial intelligence.
“Speed, scale, and skills are crucial to a successful business,” says Koh Kar Siong, formerly group head of Corporate and SME Banking at DBS and now group head of Audit. “SMEs may have limited resources, but they can become more resilient by connecting with like-minded partners in the ecosystem and leveraging their expertise. DBS is pleased to provide an extensive network of solutions and programs that make these vital connections possible.”
Beyond financing, the bank continues to champion sustainable growth and innovation, connecting entrepreneurs to insights, experts, and peers through its BusinessClass community, reinforcing DBS’ commitment to helping SMEs thrive in Singapore and across Asia.
