DBS Hong Kong sparks future with sustainable solutions

 

In embodying the future of banking, DBS is on a journey to become a leading bank that creates sustainable solutions to serve the dynamic economies of Hong Kong and Asia. Through responsible banking and business practices, and by creating social impact, DBS approaches sustainability with a sense of purpose, to create value for the long term.

A distinguishing feature of DBS’ approach is the use of digital technology to create innovative solutions for customers. We believe that digitalisation and sustainability are the two major forces shaping the future, and they are the twin underpinnings of DBS’ business strategy.


Responsible banking

We deliver products and services that promote sustainable development, and conduct our business in a fair and responsible manner. This includes advancing responsible financing and financial inclusion.

 

We do the right thing by our most important resource – our people – and take into account environmental and societal considerations in our day-to-day business operations. We are conscious of our need to manage our direct environmental footprint and seek to influence our supply chain towards sustainable practices.

 

We seek to be a Force for Good by supporting social enterprises, and giving back to the communities in which we operate. Through our “People of Purpose” volunteerism movement, we also help to drive impact in the areas of ageing, education and the environment.

 

Ajay Mathur, Managing Director and Head of Consumer Banking Group & Wealth Management at DBS Hong Kong, said, “We believe digitalisation and sustainability go hand in hand for the banking and finance sectors to help alleviate environmental and social challenges. Progress in digital finance is also reshaping consumer behaviour, banking habits and expectations, to reshape the financial system in ways that better align with the needs of sustainable development.”

 

At the heart of DBS Hong Kong’s digital transformation, is our success in making banking invisible. From the power of personalised virtual banking at your fingertips via digibank, DBS Omni and DBS Remit, to our groundbreaking “Meet Online” Business Account Opening Service for SMEs in Hong Kong to easily open DBS business accounts without ever having to set foot in the bank’s branches, and more, our customer-centred design approach to a seamless, efficient and intuitive customer experience will help ensure we remain at the forefront of digital banking.

 

Alfian Sharifuddin, Managing Director and Head of Technology & Operations for Hong Kong and Mainland China, at DBS Hong Kong, said, “It is important for us to manage our environmental footprint, and we are committed to conducting our business sustainably by reducing our consumption, improving our overall efficiency, and building a strong and reliable supply chain.

 

To further support sustainability, used coffee grounds from DBS Hong Kong’s premises will be upcycled through “Zero Grounds Coffee Campaign”by Eco-Greenergy (綠行俠), a local social enterprise that turns coffee grounds into innovative products such as soap, compost and flower pots. DBS Hong Kong will also continue to partner Redress, an environmental NGO working to reduce waste in the fashion industry, as part of their October Get Redressed Month clothing drive. Last year, DBS Hong Kong staff collected 211kg of clothing, shoes and accessories over a two-week period, for donation to 19 local charities.  

 

As part of DBS’ holistic approach to sustainability, Sparks, DBS’ industry-first mini-series about banking and bankers, which launched since 2016, is back for a second season. Themed “Everyday Heroes for a Better World”, the new season of Sparks focuses on real stories of social enterprises that are finding ways to address pressing social and environmental issues. The first three episodes are inspired by real-life stories of our DBS Foundation-supported social enterprises, including Evoware from Indonesia, which creates edible packaging made of seaweed, Bettr Barista from Singapore, a coffee academy and roastery which trains marginalised individuals to brew coffee, and Eco-Greenergy from Hong Kong. The mini-series can be viewed at www.dbs.com/sparks as well as on Facebook and YouTube.


The launch in Hong Kong includes strategic out-of-home and online advertising, influencer marketing, social media engagement, and online-to-offline-to-online activation, including the city’s first integration of chatbot game with motion detection digital game kiosk. The chatbot game is designed to encourage people to live more socially conscious by raising awareness of various ways to do so, via Facebook Messenger and interactive game kiosks located at Olympian City in West Kowloon, T.O.P This is Our Place in Mongkok, Cityplaza in Taikoo Shing, as well as DBS Hong Kong premises at One Island East in Taikoo Place and Two Harbour Square in Kwun Tong. Prizes valued at a total of over HK$5 million are up for grabs.


                                        
                                        

DBS Hong Kong is also promoting a more sustainable lifestyle at IRIS: Your Escape, Hong Kong’s largest outdoor fitness and wellness festival, which takes place at the Central Harbourfront from 21-22 September. In addition to insightful talks and workshops about sustainability and green living, including activities by local social enterprises Eco-Greenergy and Rooftop Republic Urban Farming, DBS Hong Kong is partnering with Urban Spring to provide water stations and reusable water bottle rentals as part of a Live Well#, Plastic Less campaign. Over the coming year, Live Well#, Plastic Less will cover other major events and locations in Hong Kong, with the aim of reducing the amount of single-use plastic waste by 100,000 single-use plastic bottles.


                                          

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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. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for ten consecutive years from 2009 to 2018.

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. The bank acknowledges the passion, commitment and can-do spirit in all of our 27,000 staff, representing over 40 nationalities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.