DBS Card Services Adopts the National Volunteer Centre As Its Community Partner

* * *

DBS Cardholders can give their perk$ in support of volunteerism

* * *

Customers Embark On Volunteer Day With Tetraplegic Persons To Mark Adoption

SINGAPORE, FEBRUARY 9, 2002 - DBS Bank said today its Card Services division had adopted the National Volunteer Centre (NVC) as its community partner. This partnership will see DBS Card Services and NVC working hand in hand to promote, reach out and spread the message of volunteerism to more than 500,000 DBS cardholders.

They will receive regular news and information on NVC's volunteer initiatives and activities through DBS Card Services' brochures, statement messages and website. Cardholders can also use their perk$ accumulated through the DBS PERK$ Rewards Programme to redeem for various levels of contributions that will be donated to NVC's Volunteer Development Fund. They can redeem 5,500 perk$ for a $10 cash donation, 27,500 perk$ for a $50 cash donation and 55,000 perk$ for a $100 cash donation.

DBS Card Services launched the adoption officially today by handing a S$5,000 cheque to NVC that will go into the Fund. To celebrate the launch, employees from DBS Card Services and DBS Cardholders also embarked on a Volunteer Day today to accompany and spend the day with Tetraplegic persons (individuals who are paralysed in four limbs and who spend most of their time home-bound) from the Tetraplegia Workgroup at Sentosa's Underwater World. The visit was followed by a 'lo-hei' lunch and the distribution of ang-pows to the tetraplegic guests to bring festive cheer to them and to usher in the Lunar New Year.

Andy Chan, Managing Director, DBS Card Services Singapore was delighted with the heart-warming response from cardholders.

"I am very heartened to have our customers volunteer their time with the Tetraplegia Workgroup. Through this visit to the Underwater World, we have helped our guests view, understand and appreciate the diversity of marine life.

"We are very excited about the adoption of NVC as this initiative will enable both DBS and NVC, as community partners, to work together, build bridges to the community, strengthen community relations, and create greater awareness and promotion of volunteerism in Singapore.

"Our customers can now support the volunteerism movement through redemption of their perk$ to contribute to NVC's Volunteer Development Fund. By organising today's Volunteer Day and involving our customers, we also hope to engage them proactively in volunteering their time with the less privileged in our society, " Chan said.

NVC's Chairman, Mr Gerard Ee applauded DBS' move.

"NVC is happy that DBS is perking up the volunteer sector through their adoption and DBS PERK$ Rewards Programme. It is a wonderful way to get cardholders connected to the spirit of volunteerism. NVC hopes the redemption will appeal to several people ? cardholders who would like to volunteer their time to help, as well as cardholders who may not be able to volunteer their time but are prepared to support the cause.

"This volunteer event is especially meaningful to NVC as the Tetraplegia Workgroup is a volunteer group that is new and needs community support. For the tetraplegic persons, it is an opportunity for them to have interaction and fun. What makes this significant as well is that it allows cardholders and staff to experience the joy of volunteering," Ee said.

Since the 1980s, DBS Bank has actively supported charitable, educational and cultural events of nation-wide significance. DBS Bank is a Corporate Volunteer in Partnership of the National Volunteer Centre and is the first company in Singapore to announce in July 2000 that it will grant its employees two days' paid leave each year for volunteer work.

National Volunteer Centre (NVC) is the national agency promoting volunteerism in Singapore. Officially launched by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on July 7 2000, it is the first-stop information, resource and networking centre for volunteers. The first of its kind in South East Asia, its core mission is to promote volunteerism as a way of life across all sectors and all levels of society.