DBS Outpaces Rivals In Digital Banking, Improves Cost To Income Ratio

Singapore-headquartered DBS Bank’s initiative in offering disruptive banking services to its customers through digitalization is paying off. The bank has improved its profitability substantially, as a result of its investments in digitalization, thus, bringing a sea-change in the way the bank services its customers. 

DBS improved its cost-income-ratio from 45.4% in 2015 to 43% in 2017. Revenues have also increased by 10.4% over the same period. Meanwhile, the proportion of customers in Consumer and SME Banking in Singapore and Hong Kong that are digital rose by 9% since 2015 to date.

DBS is the first bank in the world to develop a methodology for measuring the financial value created by digitalization. Through its digital value capture methodology, it has been able to draw up an effective business plan to drive digital behaviour among customers, making it simpler for customers to engage with the bank online.

Recognizing the bank’s role in bringing transformations in processes via digitalization, Euromoney has named DBS the world’s best digital bank this month.  Also, DBS was awarded the world's best SME Bank, thus, making DBS the first Asian Bank to win two awards in the global category at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2018.

For the hotly contested ‘World’s Best Digital Bank’ award, DBS beat top-tier global competitors such as Bank of America and HSBC  to come out tops. This is the second time DBS’ leadership in digital banking has been recognised by Euromoney as being the best globally, the first being in 2016.

DBS has harnessed its digital excellence to provide convenience, speed and comprehensive solutions to small and medium enterprises. From India to the Greater Bay Area, and it is pursuing growth without compromising on its asset quality.