DBS puts Singapore's SMEs in the spotlight this National Day

DBS is expanding its support for Singapore's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the launch of a new initiative aimed at helping businesses navigate rising cost pressures, accelerate digital transformation and strengthen long-term resilience.

Dubbed "DBS for SMEs", the initiative brings together advisory services, upskilling programmes and financial solutions to support businesses across areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital payments, sustainability, cross-border trade and financing.

The initiative is being rolled out alongside a National Day campaign under the same "DBS for SMEs" banner, which puts local entrepreneurs and the businesses behind Singapore's everyday economy in the spotlight.

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Anchored by the theme "From start to scale", the campaign looks to reframe business growth as more than simply getting bigger. Instead, DBS is positioning scale around building resilience through financial confidence, operational agility and access to technology, expertise and networks.

Through the campaign, the bank will spotlight local entrepreneurs and their journeys, showcasing how businesses are adapting to change and strengthening their foundations as they grow.

The positioning also draws on DBS' history as the Development Bank of Singapore, tying its longstanding role in supporting businesses to its current push to go beyond financing. According to the bank, this now includes helping SMEs adopt new capabilities and connect with partners that can support sustainable, long-term growth.

The campaign also positions SMEs as an important part of Singapore's next phase of development, arguing that the country's future growth will be shaped not only by large corporations and emerging technologies, but also by the ability of smaller businesses to remain resilient and competitive.

Beyond the campaign, "DBS for SMEs" will give businesses access to complimentary onboarding workshops, one-on-one advisory sessions and industry-specific engagements covering sectors including healthcare, building and construction, and industrials, chemicals and materials.

The bank is also expanding programmes for second-generation business owners, focusing on areas such as leadership succession, digital transformation and peer networking. Businesses will additionally be able to tap into DBS' existing Spark Gen AI and ESG Ready programmes.

DBS is also introducing additional benefits and savings for cross-border payments and foreign exchange (FX) transactions to help SMEs manage overseas supplier payments and currency risks. Through the bank, SMEs can reach 190 countries and transact in 132 currencies.

Businesses can also lock in currency exchange rates in advance without credit lines, which DBS said can provide greater certainty over cash flow and margins when conducting cross-border transactions.

On the financing front, DBS is widening access to project loans for companies undertaking capital-intensive projects, including those in the building and construction sector. It will also increase access to working capital loans for eligible businesses through the enhanced Enterprise Financing Scheme in partnership with Enterprise Singapore.

The initiative is informed by findings from DBS' latest Business Pulse Check Survey, which found that 45% of SMEs are prioritising diversification through new products, services or income streams as they look to reduce concentration risk and find new avenues for growth.

Meanwhile, 43% of local businesses surveyed cited keeping pace with technological developments as one of their biggest challenges.

The launch follows the introduction of Singapore's SG$900 million national support package, which includes measures aimed at helping businesses manage immediate cost pressures while investing in longer-term transformation.

DBS said its broader push is aimed at giving SMEs the confidence, capabilities and partnerships to continue growing, with the bank viewing stronger and more resilient SMEs as contributing to Singapore's wider economic resilience.

“In today’s environment, sustaining resilient growth increasingly depends on a business’ ability to anticipate and respond to change. ‘DBS for SMEs’ reflects our continued commitment to supporting businesses of all sizes, from startups to established enterprises. It reflects our drive to convene the bank’s ecosystem of partners and capabilities to help small businesses navigate uncertainty with greater confidence and build enduring businesses for the future," said Sharon Tan, head of SME Banking, DBS Singapore.

She added, “The campaign theme ‘From start to scale’ captures DBS’ ambition to support SMEs at every stage of growth – from laying strong foundations and adapting to change, to capturing new opportunities and scaling sustainably over time. Through this initiative and campaign, we hope to broaden the conversation on what it takes to succeed in today’s volatile operating environment, where resilience is as a strategic advantage.”

Brands have increasingly used National Day campaigns to go beyond celebrations, leveraging the occasion to reinforce their role in Singapore's future growth and development. Last month, Singtel unveiled its National Day film, "Beyond connection", positioning itself as an enabler of Singapore's digital transformation and AI ambitions.

The film traces Singapore's journey from independence to its aspirations of becoming a smart nation and regional AI hub, while charting Singtel's own evolution from a national telecommunications provider into a digital infrastructure and services group. The campaign also spotlights the company's investments in subsea cables, satellite communications, advanced mobile networks and AI-ready data centres, framing them as the digital backbone supporting Singapore's next phase of growth.

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