DBS Foundation, the social impact arm of Singapore’s DBS Bank, has pledged a landmark investment of up to SGD $1 billion over the decade to support vulnerable communities across Asia especially within the region’s rapidly ageing population.
The announcement was made at the inaugural GBA Impact Beyond Dialogue 2025 hosted in Hong Kong.
The event brought together leaders from government, business, and social sectors to explore how ageing can be transformed from a demographic challenge into an economic opportunity also known as the silver economy.
Head of DBS Foundation and Group Strategic Marketing & Communications at DBS Bank Hong Kong Alphae Chen, described the investment as both a social responsibility and a strategic opportunity.
“At DBS Foundation, we believe that addressing the needs of our ageing population is not just a responsibility but an opportunity for transformation.
Through this commitment, we hope to enable seniors to age with dignity and continue contributing meaningfully to society,” he added.
Since its launch in 2014, DBS Foundation has disbursed over SGD $21.5 million to more than 160 social enterprises across the region.
In 2024 alone, 22 enterprises were awarded a total of SGD $4.5 million under the DBS Foundation Grant programme. Collectively, these initiatives are expected to benefit over 800,000 individuals within the next two years.
At the forum, 19 local social enterprises were invited to showcase innovative solutions addressing ageing-related challenges from gerontechnology to inclusive community building.
Shahriena Shukri is a journalist covering business and economic news in Malaysia, providing insights on market trends, corporate developments, and financial policies. More about Shahriena Shukri.
