DBS Confirms No SARS Infected Staff in Singapore

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One DBS Hong Kong Staff Member Diagnosed with SARS

SINGAPORE, MARCH 31 - DBS Singapore confirmed today that there are no staff members in Singapore infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). However, a staff member in DBS' 100% wholly-owned subsidiary, Dao Heng Bank in Hong Kong, was diagnosed with SARS today.

The press release issued by DBS Hong Kong outlines measures taken to provide medical support for staff in contact with the infected employee. In addition to these measures, DBS has suspended all travel for its employees to minimize exposure to SARS. All staff returning from SARS-infected countries have been asked to take a 10-day quarantine at their homes. Also, DBS activated its Business Continuity Plans in Hong Kong and Singapore to ensure orderly conduct of its business and minimal disruption to customer service levels.

Last week, DBS announced to staff that it would reimburse staff members for SARS medical screening, and that it would grant a reasonable amount of unrecorded leave for employees to attend to family matters related to SARS. In addition, DBS made available medical masks to employees for their and our customers' protection. The Bank also stepped up its cleaning and disinfection of its facilities to provide additional assurance to customers and staff.

About DBS
DBS Bank is the largest bank in Singapore as measured by assets, with dominant positions in consumer banking, treasury and markets, securities brokerage, Singapore dollar loans, deposits, and equity and debt fund raising. Through its integrated Dao Heng Bank and DBS Kwong On Bank operations, DBS Bank is the fourth largest banking group in Hong Kong. Beyond the anchor markets of Singapore and Hong Kong, DBS Bank serves corporate, institutional and retail customers through its operations in Thailand, The Philippines, and Indonesia. The bank's credit ratings are amongst the highest in the Asia-Pacific region. More information about DBS Group Holdings and DBS Bank can be obtained from our website www.dbs.com.