DBS/POSB CUSTOMERS DONATE CLOSE TO SGD 3.7 MILLION TO CHINA
EARTHQUAKE, MYANMAR CYCLONE RELIEF EFFORTS
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Two-thirds of 27,000 donations to Singapore Red Cross done via DBS
Internet banking
SINGAPORE, 18 June 2008 - DBS Bank said that DBS and POSB customers made more than 27,000 donations amounting to close to SGD 3.7 million, via its self-service banking channels, to the China Sichuan earthquake and Myanmar Cyclone Nargis relief efforts.
DBS made available its 900 DBS/POSB ATMs, 490 AXS stations and DBS Internet banking channels, for the public to donate to victims of the Cyclone Nargis and Sichuan earthquake, on 9 May and 16 May, 2008, respectively. All donations were channelled to the Singapore Red Cross.
The Singapore Red Cross stopped fund raising for the earthquake and cyclone victims on 14 June and 16 June, 2008, respectively.
Mr Richard Stanley, CEO of DBS Group Holdings, said, "I would like to express my personal thanks to our customers for their contributions in support of ongoing relief efforts in China and Myanmar. Given DBS and POSB's wide distribution network, we feel privileged to have been able to play a part in making it convenient for customers to donate to this worthy cause. At DBS, we are overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity we've seen from Singaporeans in a time of crisis."
DBS said 67% of the donations were done online, contributing SGD 2.7 million. Another 22% of donations were done via AXS stations, and the remainder via ATMs.
In May, DBS had donated SGD 40,000 to the Red Cross Myanmar Cyclone Fund, while DBS Bank China (Ltd), a fully-owned subsidiary of DBS Group Holdings, contributed RMB 1 million to the China Red Cross towards disaster relief efforts for the earthquake victims.
During the Sars outbreak in 2003, and in the aftermath of the killer tsunami that devastated coastal areas across South and Southeast Asia in 2004, DBS also made available its Internet banking and ATMs to facilitate customers who wished to contribute to various funds to support the relief agencies.
At that time, DBS customers contributed over SGD 1.8 million to the Singapore Red Cross' Tidal Waves Asia in less than three days after the bank opened up its self-service banking channels to facilitate public donations.
About DBS
DBS is one of the largest financial services groups in Asia with operations in 16 markets. Headquartered in Singapore, DBS is the largest bank in the country as measured by assets, and a leading bank in Hong Kong. DBS' "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the Asia-Pacific region.
As a bank that specialises in Asia, DBS leverages its deep understanding of the region, local culture and insights to serve and build lasting relationships with its clients. DBS provides the full range of services in corporate, SME, consumer and wholesale banking activities across Asia and the Middle East. The bank is committed to expand its pan-Asia franchise by leveraging its growing presence in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to intermediate the increasing trade and investment flows between these markets. Likewise, DBS is focused on extending its end-to-end services to facilitate capital within fast-growing countries in Indonesia and India.
DBS acknowledges the passion, commitment and can-do spirit in each of its 15,000 staff, representing over 30 nationalities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.