DBS Makes History With Global Corporate Banking Award
Singapore’s DBS has become the first Southeast Asian lender to be named «World’s Best Corporate Bank» by Global Finance since the award category was introduced more than two decades ago. The recognition underscores the growing international ambitions of Asia’s banking heavyweights.
Singapore-headquartered DBS has been named «World’s Best Corporate Bank» at Global Finance’s 2026 Global Bank Awards, becoming the first bank from Southeast Asia to receive the distinction since the category was introduced in 2005.
The bank was also named «Asia’s Best Bank» and «Singapore’s Best Bank» in this year’s awards.
Global Finance said the winners were selected based on their performance over the past year as well as criteria including reputation and management excellence, with input from corporate finance executives, analysts and bankers.
Technology Push Highlighted
In explaining the decision, Global Finance founder and editorial director Joseph Giarraputo pointed to DBS’ corporate banking platform and its investment in new financial infrastructure.
He highlighted the bank’s use of blockchain-powered programmable payments and artificial intelligence, which are increasingly being deployed to help corporate clients manage liquidity, execute transactions and access financial services.
DBS has built a broad corporate and institutional banking franchise spanning small and medium-sized enterprises through to multinational companies. Its offering includes advisory, financing, hedging, cash management and trade finance.
Asia’s Changing Corporate Landscape
Han Kwee Juan, Group Head of Institutional Banking at DBS, said companies are having to rethink how they operate amid a more fragmented and volatile global environment.
Across Asia, he sees opportunities arising from infrastructure development, changing supply chains and the growing role of payments technology and digital assets in how companies manage liquidity and enter new markets.
«At DBS, our role is to help clients make sense of this complexity and respond with confidence,» Han said.
Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS operates across 19 markets, with a particular focus on Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The latest recognition adds to a series of awards the bank has received for its corporate, transaction and digital banking businesses.
