Ten Years in Australia: DBS Deepens Its Cross-Border Roots with Bold New Moves
In June 2015, DBS Bank planted its flag in Australia with the opening of its Sydney branch — a small team with a clear purpose: to support the growing business and investment flows between Australia and Asia.
A decade on, that presence has grown exponentially. From just seven initial clients, DBS now supports more than 300 corporates across a wide range of sectors — spanning real estate, renewables, infrastructure, commodities, and technology. Today, the bank is recognised as a reliable partner in the Australian financial landscape, known for its cross-border strength, regional insight into Asia, and innovative financing solutions underpinned by a diverse product suite across cash, loans, trade, and liquidity management.
From Supporting Inbound Asia to Powering Outbound Australia
Reflecting on the journey, DBS Group CEO Tan Su Shan said:
“We’ve gone from helping Asian companies enter Australia, to becoming a trusted partner for Australian businesses expanding into Asia. That evolution has been one of the most rewarding aspects of our journey here.”
That evolution has been marked by a string of milestones — including an AU$1.5 billion covered bond transaction, an AU$295 million green loan for GIC’s Chifley Tower, and leading Australia’s first utility-scale battery project financing without government support. DBS Australia now manage a portfolio exceeding AU$10 billion and holds AA-/Aa1 ratings -, among the highest in the region.
Strengthening Regional Ties
As DBS marks its 10th year in Australia, it is also looking to the future. In a significant move, the bank recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade).
This agreement represents a deepening of DBS’s role in supporting Australian companies’ regional ambitions — particularly in Southeast Asia. The MoU focuses on helping Australian businesses expand into high-growth ASEAN markets such as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The collaboration also aligns with Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which aims to grow two-way trade and investment in emerging sectors such as green energy, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.
“We’re incredibly proud to be supporting this next wave of regional integration,” said Tan. “This MoU is more than a symbolic gesture — it’s a practical commitment to enabling growth for Australian companies beyond their traditional markets.”
A Decade of Sustainable Finance and Innovation
Sustainability has become a cornerstone of DBS’ approach in Australia. Over the past five years, the bank has been involved in numerous landmark sustainable finance deals — from refinancing iconic assets to enabling battery storage and wind farm projects.
In 2024, DBS was recognised at The Asset Triple A Sustainable Infrastructure Awards, winning Renewable Energy Deal of the Year in both the Solar and Battery categories.
The bank has also ramped up its involvement in cross-border risk solutions, securing its first major hedging mandate in 2024, covering over AU$7 billion in derivatives for a Singapore-sponsored renewables project in Australia.
Looking Ahead: Doubling Down on Australia
DBS is committed to further growth in the Australian market. Recognising the increasing interest of Australian businesses in diversifying into Asian markets and vice versa, the bank has set a bold target: to double its lending book in Australia over the next five years. It’s a reflection of its long-term commitment to the market — and belief in Australia’s role in the next phase of Asia-Pacific growth.
