WMCockpit, an award-winning wealth technology company headquartered in Singapore with operations in the UAE, announced today that it has raised capital from Galaxy Investments Limited, a Dubai-based private investment vehicle. This marks the first time in its three years of existence that WMCockpit has opened its capital to external investors. Beyond providing equity funding, Galaxy Investments will bring its extensive network of private banking and family office relationships to support WMCockpit’s growth trajectory. The capital will be used to advance the development and deployment of WMCockpit’s AI technology underpinning the holistic estate advisory component of its platform, to expand the company’s market reach globally as well as to create a static capital buffer further cementing the perennity of the company. Dominique Jooris Dominique Jooris, CEO of WMCockpit, commented: “We are opening our capital for the first time after three years in operation and are delighted to welcome Galaxy Investments not only as a shareholder but also as a partner. This investment will allow us to increase the speed of our development to better serve our existing and prospective clients.” WMCockpit continues to establish itself as a leader in wealth management technology, providing innovative tools that enable financial institutions, family offices, and advisors to deliver enhanced, data-driven services to their clients.   Featured image by WMCockpit The post WMCockpit Secures USD 1M Strategic Investment Led by Galaxy Investments appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

When you walk through the bustling streets of Singapore – from hawker centers to tech startups in Tanjong Pagar – you’re witnessing the heartbeat of the nation’s economy. Behind every expansion, new fleet, and inventory buildup stands a critical enabler: access to capital. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises aren’t just participants in Singapore’s economy – they are the economy. These businesses account for 99.6% of all enterprises, employ nearly 70% of the workforce, and generate 47% of enterprise value-added, contributing over S$313 billion annually. Yet their success hinges on one question: can they get the funding they need, when they need it? The Capital Catalyst Effect Business lending to SMEs functions as an economic multiplier. When a manufacturing company secures a working capital loan to fulfill a large export order, the ripple effects extend far beyond that transaction – hiring workers, purchasing materials, investing in equipment, and generating export revenue. Recent data shows that in 2024, 27% of Singapore firms actively sought financing. Their objectives tell the story: 37% needed funds for expanding operations, 22% for hiring and workforce development, and 20% for launching new products or services. These aren’t survival loans – they’re investments in Singapore’s economic future. The Numbers Behind the Growth Story The average loan size approved in 2024 stood at approximately S$130,000, down from S$224,000 in 2021 – a 42% decrease reflecting tighter credit conditions. Yet this also shows more businesses are accessing credit, even if individual amounts have moderated. Banks dominate SME lending, with working capital loans used by 54% of SME borrowers, term loans at 38%, and trade financing at 37%. This distribution reflects practical business needs: managing cash flow, financing expansion, and facilitating trade. The cost of capital hit record levels in 2024, with average borrowing costs reaching 8.47% per annum – the highest in recent years. For SMEs on thin margins, every percentage point matters. A restaurant chain borrowing S$200,000 at 8.47% pays roughly S$16,940 in annual interest, compared to S$12,000 at the 6% rates common in 2021. Yet demand persists because returns often exceed costs. A logistics company financing a S$300,000 truck fleet expansion might pay S$25,410 in annual interest, but if those trucks generate S$150,000 in additional revenue at 30% margins, the investment yields S$45,000 in gross profit. The Digital Revolution in Business Lending Technology is reshaping SME capital access. Singapore’s fintech sector is projected to grow from USD 42.77 billion in 2025 to USD 69.64 billion by 2030, at a 10.24% CAGR. Digital lending platforms have emerged as viable alternatives to traditional banks. These platforms leverage data analytics and machine learning to assess creditworthiness beyond conventional metrics. While banks typically require two years of operating history and substantial collateral, digital lenders can approve loans based on bank statements, invoice records, and e-commerce data. A Shopee merchant with consistent sales but limited history might secure funding within 24 hours. The speed advantage is transformative. When a construction SME wins a tender requiring immediate deposits, waiting two weeks for bank approval could mean losing the contract. Digital lenders offering same-day decisions enable businesses to seize time-sensitive opportunities, translating directly into captured revenue and market share. Government as Growth Partner Singapore’s government actively facilitates SME growth through strategic lending programs. The Enterprise Financing Scheme offers government-backed guarantees that reduce lender risk and enable more generous terms. Under the SME Working Capital Loan component, businesses can access up to S$500,000 with government sharing 50% to 70% of default risk. This risk-sharing is economically powerful – banks evaluating marginal applications might decline due to default concerns, but with government backing covering up to 70% of losses, the equation shifts toward approval. The numbers validate effectiveness. In 2024, 59% of surveyed SMEs cited government programs as their preferred support mechanism – the highest-rated intervention. The permanent increase of the Working Capital Loan cap to S$500,000 in Budget 2024 expanded borrowing capacity for thousands of businesses. Beyond loans, grants like the Enterprise Development Grant and Productivity Solutions Grant provide non-dilutive capital. An SME investing S$100,000 in automation can receive S$50,000 to S$70,000 in grant support, effectively halving the net investment and accelerating productivity improvements. Navigating the Credit Tightening Challenge The SME lending environment has become more challenging. Beyond higher rates, businesses face shrinking approvals and stricter requirements. Survey data shows 46% of applicants cite financing costs as a major challenge, while 42% struggle with eligibility criteria and another 42% face extended approval timelines. This creates a bifurcated market. Established SMEs with strong financials access capital relatively easily – indeed, about 60% of SMEs report access to finance is “easy” or “very easy”. However, younger companies or those with lumpy cash flows face mounting obstacles. Traditional banks now require one to three weeks for term loans. For seasonal businesses or companies responding to sudden orders, these delays can be devastating. Alternative lenders have capitalized on this by positioning as the “fast and flexible” option. While their rates typically range from 1.3 to 1.5 times the principal for six to twelve months – significantly higher than banks – the value proposition centers on accessibility and speed. The Multiplier Effect on Employment SME lending’s broader impact shows clearly in job creation. SMEs employ 2.5 million people out of Singapore’s 3.59 million enterprise workforce – roughly 70%. Every expansion enabled by financing translates into hiring needs. Consider a single S$200,000 loan enabling a food manufacturer to install automated packaging and expand to a second shift. The immediate effect is hiring five operators. But ripples extend further: equipment suppliers gain revenue, logistics companies add routes, accounting firms bill additional hours, and landlords benefit from higher utilization. Workforce development financing represents 22% of SME borrowing purposes, second only to expansion. This includes training, certifications, and talent acquisition. In Singapore’s tight labor market, investing in human capital yields competitive advantages. The OCBC SME Index rose to 50.8 in Q3 2024, signaling expansion after previous contraction. This return to growth correlates with employment increases as businesses add headcount ahead of anticipated revenue growth. Sector-Specific Lending Dynamics Different industries experience lending differently based on capital intensity, asset bases, and cash flow patterns. Manufacturing businesses require both working capital and equipment financing. A precision engineering company might need S$300,000 in machinery loans and S$150,000 in working capital. The machinery qualifies for asset-backed financing at 5% to 7%, while unsecured working capital costs 8% to 12%. Structuring these separately optimizes the blended cost. Retail and F&B face pronounced seasonality. A cafe chain requiring S$400,000 for a fourth location needs six to nine months to break even. Lines of credit providing flexibility to draw capital as needed align financing with actual requirements and reduce interest. Professional services firms operate asset-light models where human capital is primary. These businesses struggle with traditional lending due to lacking collateral, but their recurring revenue and high margins make them creditworthy. Invoice financing advancing 80% to 90% of receivables provides tailored working capital. Technology startups represent the highest-risk segment. Banks rarely lend to pre-revenue tech companies. This has spawned specialized venture debt providers offering S$500,000 to S$5 million with warrants giving equity upside – expensive and dilutive, but extending runway without premature equity raises. The Path Forward: Access and Innovation Several trends will shape how SME lending continues driving the market. The permanent expansion of government loan caps creates structural capacity for larger amounts. Digital lenders will continue capturing market share, particularly sub-S$200,000 where speed matters most. Open banking regulations enabling third-party access to transaction data will revolutionize credit assessment. Instead of submitting months of statements, businesses will grant API access allowing instant cash flow analysis, reducing approval times from days to hours. Alternative data sources will supplement traditional financials. E-commerce merchants might share marketplace ratings, logistics companies could provide telematics data, professional services might offer client retention rates. Each data point helps lenders build a more complete picture beyond backward-looking statements. Sustainability-linked lending will gain traction as Singapore pursues net-zero commitments. SMEs adopting green technologies may access preferential pricing, while high-emission sectors face higher costs. The Competitive Advantage of Capital Access The most understated aspect of SME lending is how it functions as competitive advantage. In any market, businesses accessing capital faster and more affordably hold structural advantages. When a logistics company can immediately finance fleet expansion for a new contract while competitors scramble for funding, it captures market share that rarely gets relinquished. This explains why 80% of Singapore SMEs seek comprehensive end-to-end banking solutions rather than fragmented products. The ability to seamlessly move between deposits, payments, trade services, and lending within one relationship reduces friction and accelerates decisions. Businesses that master capital management – understanding when to borrow, how to structure debt efficiently, and how to manage cash cycles – consistently outperform peers with similar operating capabilities. Conclusion: Fuel for the Engine Small business lending in Singapore is the transmission system connecting entrepreneurial ambition to economic output. The aggregate impact of tens of thousands of loans becomes transformational – businesses with reliable working capital accept larger orders, equipment financing enables automation and scale, trade financing supports geographic expansion. As Singapore navigates global uncertainty and technological disruption, the resilience of its SME sector will determine whether the nation continues punching above its weight economically. The lending ecosystem ensuring capital flows not just to the safest borrowers but to the most promising opportunities is what drives markets forward. The businesses securing funding today for equipment, expansion, and key hires are building Singapore’s economy of tomorrow.   Featured image by EyeEm on Freepik The post How Small Business Lending Drives Up the SME Market appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

dtcpay, a licensed Major Payment Institution (MPI), has partnered with WalletConnect to enable stablecoin payments across wallets, apps, and merchants. The partnership will simplify onchain transactions using USDC, USDT, and WUSD, offering secure, embedded checkout experiences for merchants and consumers while expanding access for enterprises, institutions, and retail users. The collaboration also aligns with dtcpay’s goal of bridging traditional payment systems with onchain finance. According to WalletConnect’s State of Onchain Payments 2025 report, stablecoins make up 72% of payments on its network, with USDC at 38% and USDT at 34%. While payments are emerging as a major use case for crypto, only 10% of users prefer them today due to inefficiencies, a gap this partnership aims to close. WalletConnect provides institutional-grade, non-custodial access with end-to-end encryption, never exposing private keys or taking custody of assets. The platform connects over 70,000 apps and 700 wallets, powering more than 350 million wallet-to-app connections through partners such as Fireblocks, Ledger, Robinhood, Blockchain.com, OKX Wallet, Binance Wallet, and Gemini Wallet. Band Zhao “Partnering with WalletConnect allows us to deliver secure and seamless stablecoin payments at global scale. Together, we are making onchain payments as intuitive and trusted as card payments, while opening new possibilities for merchants, institutions, and consumers worldwide.” said Band Zhao, Group Chairman of dtcpay. Jess Houlgrave “Recent developments in stablecoins represent a watershed moment for crypto. Stablecoins are already proving to be one of crypto’s most important real-world use cases, and dtcpay shares our vision of making them mainstream. By connecting wallets, merchants, and consumers through trusted infrastructure, we’re accelerating the shift from experimental to essential in how the world transacts.” said Jess Houlgrave, CEO of WalletConnect. We recently spoke with dtcpay on how stablecoins are evolving from crypto-native assets to credible instruments for mainstream finance.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by WalletConnect via X The post dtcpay, WalletConnect to Enable Stablecoin Payments Across Wallets and Apps appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

BBVA is bringing crypto trading to its retail customers across EMEA, becoming the first bank in the region to use SGX FX’s digital asset platform. SGX FX announced that BBVA has become its first banking client in EMEA to offer digital asset trading to retail customers. The integration allows BBVA clients to trade bitcoin and ether directly through the bank’s existing platforms, supported by SGX FX’s infrastructure. The setup enables around-the-clock digital asset trading using the same systems BBVA employs for its foreign exchange operations. SGX FX’s technology provides aggregation, pricing, distribution and risk management capabilities, ensuring a consistent and secure trading experience across both FX and digital assets. The company operates from four major global data centres in London, New York, Tokyo and Singapore and is designed to help financial institutions adapt to evolving regulations such as the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. Vinay Trivedi Vinay Trivedi, COO, SGX FX Sell-side Solutions, said, “SGX FX has built its reputation over 25 years by delivering a platform hardened by decades of live trading for the global FX markets. By tightly integrating digital assets into our existing FX offering, we enable banks like BBVA to move quickly, launch seamlessly, and serve growing client demand – all without the need for a full stack replacement. BBVA is a leader in future-proofing their eFX businesses while delivering customer value.” Luis Martins Luis Martins, Global Head of Macro Trading at BBVA, added, “Digital assets are rapidly becoming an integral part of the global finance system. It’s natural that our customers want to be able to trade these assets using the same trusted system. Through our partnership with SGX FX, we’re able to support clients as they explore digital assets, backed by the strength and security of a bank like BBVA.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by viaNINA via Freepik The post BBVA Taps SGX FX to Offer Crypto Trading to Retail Customers in EMEA appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Digital asset infrastructure provider Cregis and identity verification platform Sumsub jointly hosted the “Web3 Finance: Powering the Future of Trust” summit on 1 October at MBFC Tower 2 in Singapore. The event brought together professionals from the banking, payments and crypto sectors for discussions on trust-building and compliance in the Web3 space. The summit opened with a joint presentation by Cregis Chief Operating Officer Jason Ma and Sumsub’s Ying Li, who introduced their companies and core solutions. Jason Ma explained that multi-party computation (MPC) technology helps reduce asset security risks through private key sharding management. He noted that Cregis currently manages assets worth hundreds of billions of dollars and provides MPC wallet and payment infrastructure services to over 3,500 enterprises worldwide. Ying Li shared that Sumsub offers identity verification services to more than 4,000 clients, including Bybit and Huobi, supporting enterprises in meeting compliance requirements across different jurisdictions. Interactive question-and-answer sessions with prizes followed, engaging attendees in further discussions. A panel discussion titled “Web3 Trust Stack: Identity, Compliance, and Infrastructure in Action” formed the core of the summit. Moderated by Eelee Lua, Chief of Staff at xcube.co, the session brought together industry veterans to explore practical approaches to Web3 trust-building. Cregis APAC Business Development Director Eric Cheung addressed the real-world challenges of enterprise compliance. He emphasised that companies must acknowledge limited resources and reassess their strategic priorities amid growing regulatory demands. Eric Cheung “Partners with compliance experience and business insights do not just provide services, they bring industry knowledge and resources for mutual benefit. This represents the future direction of our industry: collaborative community development,” he said. On development priorities in Web3, Eric stated, “Identity verification is becoming the foundational infrastructure for the entire industry. Whether it is anti-money laundering, tax compliance or regulatory reporting, everything ultimately comes back to one fundamental question, who is the user? As regulatory frameworks continue to mature, the space for anonymous transactions will shrink, and real-name verification will be the inevitable trend.” Henry Chan, Head of Strategy and Operations at Interlace, discussed the balance between regulation and innovation. He acknowledged that while regulatory changes have created challenges, technology can help keep compliance costs manageable. Henry Chan “When we consider compliance balance, while we cannot change regulatory rules, we can ensure enterprise compliance costs remain manageable through technological innovation,” he said. Chan also examined how trust can be built with end users, markets, institutions and governments, offering insights into developing credibility within the Web3 ecosystem. Sumsub’s APAC Vice President of Business Development, Penny Chai, spoke about emerging fraud risks and user experience challenges. She highlighted the growing threat of deepfake technology and synthetic fraud, which blends genuine personal information with fabricated data. Penny Chai “The latter is particularly insidious, mixing real personal information with fake data, making it very difficult for traditional verification methods to detect,” she said. Chai also noted user fatigue from repeated verification processes across platforms. “Enterprise compliance pressure is already enormous, and users are fed up with having to complete KYC everywhere. Every platform requires re-verification, wasting time and increasing costs,” she explained. To address this, Sumsub introduced a reusable KYC solution that allows one verification to be used across multiple platforms, reducing both compliance costs and user inconvenience. On regulation, Chai expressed optimism: “Regulation is not an obstacle, it is setting boundaries for innovation. When we know where the rules are, we can maximise our innovative potential within those boundaries.” Participants at the summit agreed that identity verification is now a standard requirement for Web3 projects, that security technology can reduce operational risks, and that compliance processes must balance efficiency and user experience. Following the event, several enterprises expressed interest in further collaboration on technology services. Both Cregis and Sumsub confirmed that they plan to continue integrating their products to deliver comprehensive solutions for Web3 businesses, spanning identity verification and asset management.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by suksao via Freepik The post Cregis and Sumsub Host Web3 Finance Summit in Singapore appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The explosive rise of technologies in digital finance in APAC is transforming access, but it’s also amplifying risk. Digital wallets, cross-border remittances and online lending have opened the financial system to millions. However, the same rails that drive inclusion for many unbanked individuals are being exploited by fraudsters moving faster than legacy defenses can respond. Nowhere is this pressure more visible than in fraud prevention, where artificial intelligence (AI) is touted as a silver bullet, but often lacks real-world clarity or control. Fintechs in the region must balance seamless customer expectations with airtight security, without sacrificing growth. This calls for a more connected approach that doesn’t just detect threats but builds digital trust from the start. The APAC Growth Dilemma: Inclusion vs. Risk Few regions reflect fintech’s potential more vividly than APAC. Adoption of mobile-first banking, alternative credit and real-time payments has leapfrogged traditional financial infrastructure in many countries. And for millions of unbanked and underbanked individuals, fintech services are gateways to the financial system. Yet this rapid expansion comes with a parallel rise in risk. Fraudsters exploit the same digital rails that power inclusion, from creating synthetic identities and deepfakes to abusing promotions and laundering money through e-wallets. Cross-border complexity adds another layer of vulnerability: fragmented regulations, differing KYC standards and high transaction volumes create blind spots that bad actors quickly exploit. For financial institutions and fintechs across APAC, growth cannot come at the expense of security, but overly rigid defenses can stall adoption and damage the customer experience. The ability to scale safely hinges on finding the right balance between accessibility and risk management. AI That Works — and Explains Itself “AI” has become a buzzword in the race to fight fraud. However, even the most innovative models can create more questions than answers without transparency. What matters is not just automation, but explainability — especially in regulated environments where trust must be earned and documented. At SEON, we design AI for decision-makers, not just data scientists. Our AI-suggested rules model translates fraud patterns into clear, human-readable rules, while our adaptive AI insights score learns from new threats in real time. Both run continuously in the background, refining themselves without the need for constant human input. The result is a system that helps fintechs reduce false positives, accelerate reviews and meet compliance expectations with confidence instead of guesswork. This level of explainability and self-learning is especially vital in APAC, where regulatory scrutiny and operational complexity are rapidly intensifying. Trust Before Identity Verification Source: user23266251 via Freepik Each market has its own regulatory standards, customer behaviors and risk exposure, making cross-border operations especially complex in the APAC region. For remittance providers, verifying identities across jurisdictions with different KYC frameworks remains a constant challenge. Digital wallets face heightened scrutiny around money laundering, while regional eCommerce platforms must contend with multi-accounting, chargebacks, promotion abuse and account takeovers. The common denominator across these sectors is the need for digital trust. Without it, customers hesitate to adopt new services, regulators tighten restrictions and fraud losses spiral. Establishing this trust requires a unified approach that combines fraud prevention and AML processes rather than treating them as separate functions. By connecting signals from device intelligence, digital footprint analysis and behavioral biometrics, fintechs can build a holistic view of their customers and act quickly when anomalies surface. Why Digital Trust is Now a Growth Enabler In markets where access to financial services is expanding, trust determines whether first-time users stay loyal or abandon digital channels altogether. Without strong protections, fraud incidents erode confidence, slow adoption and increase business costs. Conversely, institutions that invest in trust gain a strategic advantage. By screening risks before KYC checks, monitoring behavior in real time and leveraging AI to adapt to new fraud patterns, fintechs can keep fraudsters out while ensuring genuine customers enjoy seamless access. Institutions prioritizing trust can scale faster, enter new markets more smoothly and attract users and investors eager for resilient, future-ready digital finance platforms. SEON at Singapore Fintech Festival SEON is proud to be part of this conversation at Singapore Fintech Festival, 12–14 November. Our team will be at Hall 4, Booth 4E19, ready to share how we help institutions stop fraud, streamline compliance and build lasting trust with their customers. Don’t miss Tamas Kadar, SEON’s Co-Founder and CEO, speaking on the panel “Collaborating for Cyber Resilience: How Financial Institutions Can Manage AI Risk” on 13 Nov, 2pm at Frontier Stage. Join us to explore how smarter fraud prevention is shaping the future of fintech in APAC and beyond.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on images by rafhaelpurba2102 and user850788 via Freepik The post SEON to Showcase AI-Driven Fraud Prevention at Singapore Fintech Festival appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Singapore’s major banks will automatically pause or block digital transfers that move more than half of an account’s balance within a day, introducing new safeguards to prevent scammers from emptying high-value accounts. The measure, taking effect on 15 October, applies to current and savings accounts, including joint accounts, with balances of at least S$50,000. It forms part of enhanced fraud surveillance by the Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs), which include DBS, OCBC, UOB, Citibank, HSBC, Maybank and Standard Chartered. When banks detect that an account is being rapidly drained due to a potential scam, transactions may be held for a 24-hour cooling period or rejected immediately. The safeguard applies to all digital banking transactions made through mobile apps and internet banking, while branch and ATM withdrawals remain unaffected. Customers may experience delays in payments or fund transfers, including legitimate ones, as banks increase monitoring. They are advised to plan time-sensitive transactions, such as share purchases, in advance to avoid potential charges. How the New Safeguard Will Work The safeguard will be triggered when a transaction, together with withdrawals in the past 24 hours, moves more than half of an account’s balance. The triggering and subsequent transactions will then be held or rejected. During the 24-hour hold, customers will be notified through their mobile or internet banking platforms and can cancel transactions if they realise they have been scammed. Legitimate transfers will be released automatically once the period ends, while rejected transactions can be reinitiated after verification with the bank. In urgent cases, customers can verify transactions at branches, ATMs or through contact centres. Recurring payments such as standing instructions, recurring GIRO or eGIRO payments, and bill payments to recognised billing organisations will be exempt to minimise disruption. The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) said the enhanced surveillance complements existing anti-scam controls under the Shared Responsibility Framework, which sets out the obligations of banks and telcos in phishing cases. Beyond the 50 percent safeguard, banks may also hold or reject transactions based on other risk factors. Scam cases in Singapore fell by 26 percent in the first half of 2025, while total losses dropped 12.6 percent. Despite the decline, scams remain a concern. ABS said major banks’ security measures helped prevent about S$78 million in potential scam losses in the first seven months of the year. Banks will also roll out in-app push notifications for acknowledgement by digital token users when banks make outbound calls, assuring customers that the calls are genuine. Ong-Ang Ai Boon Ong-Ang Ai Boon, Director, The Association of Banks in Singapore, said, “Banks are committed to putting in place robust safeguards to protect customers. They have been consistently investing in and implementing various anti-scam measures, such as fraud surveillance, cognitive breaks and Money Lock. However, scams remain a scourge on society and the methods adopted by scammers continue to grow in sophistication. The measures announced today will help to protect phishing scam victims and stop fraudulent withdrawals before it is too late. This societal safeguard may result in some friction, and we seek customers’ patience and understanding.” Ho Hern Shin Ho Hern Shin, Deputy Managing Director (Financial Supervision) of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), said, “Customers may face delays when conducting larger value transactions, but these safeguards have been put in place to protect them from transfers that may subsequently turn out to be fraudulent. MAS will continue to work with banks to minimise the impact on legitimate transactions.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by diloka107 via Freepik   The post Singapore Banks to Hold or Block Transfers Over 50% of Account Balance From 15 Oct appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Obita, a Hong Kong-based enterprise-level cross-border payments and digital financial network, has signed a MoU with YY Group, a Singapore-headquartered global workforce solutions and integrated facility management (IFM) provider. Under the agreement, YY Group will integrate Obita’s stablecoin-based payment infrastructure into its workforce platforms and corporate operations, supporting receivables, payables and treasury management. Obita stated that its infrastructure is designed to streamline cross-border settlements while maintaining regulatory compliance and security. The platform includes enterprise-level controls such as role-based approvals and real-time transaction monitoring. Both companies said the collaboration aims to improve financial access for gig workers, particularly in emerging markets. Dayong Zhang “YY Group represents exactly the type of large-scale, real-world ecosystem where compliant stablecoin infrastructure can deliver immediate impact,” said Dayong Zhang, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Obita. “Our collaboration highlights how technology and regulation can work hand in hand to make cross-border payouts efficient, secure and inclusive.” According to the companies, the integration will allow YY Group to manage cross-border capital flows more efficiently, including intra-group financing and loan repayments. For platform users such as international students and gig workers, Obita’s technology will provide faster and lower-cost payouts, as well as the option to hold savings in fiat-backed stablecoins to mitigate currency volatility. Mike Fu, Group Chief Executive Officer of YY Group, said: Mike Fu “Partnering with Obita enables us to optimise enterprise costs while delivering faster, more transparent, lower-cost settlement options to the hundreds of thousands of workers and clients we support worldwide. This positions YY Group to scale more efficiently, strengthen our margins and accelerate our global expansion initiatives.” The partnership was announced at the PayFi Summit during TOKEN2049 Singapore, where senior leaders from both companies discussed the role of compliant stablecoin infrastructure in improving cross-border payments and supporting financial inclusion for gig workers.   Featured image credit: Obita The post YY Group Partners with Obita on Stablecoin Payment Infrastructure appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

NTT DATA, a global provider of digital business and technology services, has signed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deliver AI-powered contact centre solutions built on Amazon Connect, AWS’s cloud-based platform. The partnership aims to support the adoption of AI-enabled customer experience (CX) solutions internationally. As part of the agreement, NTT DATA will introduce Managed Customer Experience (MCX) for Connect, a modular platform intended to accelerate CX transformation across different industries. The platform combines NTT DATA’s more than 30 years of expertise in customer engagement and managed services with the capabilities of Amazon Connect’s cloud-based infrastructure. It is expected to help clients achieve faster implementation, more personalised interactions, and data-driven engagement. The platform will provide solutions tailored to specific client needs, ranging from voice and digital channels to reporting and analytics, AI-driven services, and integration with business applications such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and IT Service Management (ITSM). NTT DATA and AWS will also work together to develop and deliver modular AI-powered contact centre solutions on a global scale. These solutions will make use of technologies such as AI, machine learning, and analytics to modernise customer operations and improve measures including average handling time, first-call resolution, and customer satisfaction. NTT DATA will integrate Amazon Connect’s AI features into its MCX platform to support more efficient and tailored customer interactions. This includes the design and deployment of conversational AI agents with capabilities such as real-time sentiment analysis, intelligent call routing, and predictive services. NTT DATA will also apply its existing intellectual property, including real-time speech analytics, its Smart AI Agent Ecosystem, and industry-focused solutions, to expand the use of cloud-based contact centres across its international enterprise client base. The collaboration will focus particularly on industries with complex customer lifecycles, including financial services, healthcare, telecommunications, and retail. Sashen Naidu “This strategic collaboration agreement with AWS represents a pivotal moment in our mission to modernise customer experiences for the AI-first era,” said Sashen Naidu, Global Vice President of Customer Experience at NTT DATA. “By combining NTT DATA’s contact centre heritage, digital transformation expertise and client experience innovation with Amazon Connect’s powerful cloud-native capabilities, we are helping customers reimagine how they engage with their customers and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape.” The companies intend to use established frameworks and results from existing projects to accelerate delivery for priority industries such as financial services, healthcare, telecommunications, and retail. NTT DATA will lead global delivery, implementation, hosting, security, and managed services. The collaboration has begun, with joint solutions expected to be rolled out to clients in the coming months.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by printartist24 via Freepik The post NTT DATA and AWS Partner on AI-Powered Contact Centre Solutions appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Snowflake has announced Snowflake Cortex AI for Financial Services, a suite of AI capabilities and partnerships designed to help financial services firms integrate their data ecosystems and deploy AI models, applications, and agents with built-in security and compliance controls. The company also introduced a managed Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server, now in public preview, which allows organisations to securely use their proprietary and third-party data in Snowflake from partners such as FactSet, MSCI, Nasdaq eVestment, and The Associated Press. This MCP Server enables customers to link their data with applications and platforms including Anthropic, CrewAI, Cursor, Devin by Cognition, Salesforce’s Agentforce, and Windsurf to create context-aware AI agents and applications. Baris Gultekin, Vice President of AI at Snowflake, said: Baris Gultekin “By bringing AI directly to where their data already lives and enabling secure interoperability with remote agents, Snowflake is making it easier for highly regulated industries like financial services to power business-critical use cases and tap into a unified ecosystem of best-of-breed data, AI, and apps.” Cortex AI for Financial Services is aimed at supporting tasks such as market analysis, quantitative research, fraud detection, customer support, and claims management. It incorporates data from structured providers including CB Insights, Cotality, Deutsche Börse, MSCI, and Nasdaq eVestment, and unstructured publishers such as FactSet, Investopedia, The Associated Press, and The Washington Post. By combining these external sources with in-house data stored in Snowflake, financial institutions can derive more accurate and comprehensive insights. Within the suite, Snowflake Data Science Agent assists with machine learning workflows by automating data preparation, feature engineering, model prototyping, and validation. This is intended to accelerate the development of models used for risk modelling, compliance, fraud detection, and underwriting. Snowflake Cortex AISQL supports the analysis of unstructured data such as market research, earnings call transcripts, and transaction details by adding functions for AI-driven extraction and transcription. This enables organisations to process documents, audio, and images at scale for use cases like customer service, investment analysis, and claims processing. For business teams, Snowflake Intelligence, now in public preview, provides a natural language interface that allows users to query data held in Snowflake and from third-party sources, making it possible to access insights without specialist technical expertise. Snowflake MCP Server is designed to simplify how enterprises connect AI agents to their existing systems. MCP has recently emerged as a standard to help large language models interact with data, APIs, and services. By offering a managed MCP Server, Snowflake allows enterprises to unify structured and unstructured data retrieval, eliminating the need for custom integrations. It also provides access to proprietary and third-party data through Snowflake Marketplace and Cortex Knowledge Extensions, while maintaining security and governance standards. The server can connect with a wide range of agent platforms including Anthropic, Augment Code, Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, CrewAI, Cursor, Devin by Cognition, Glean, Mistral, Salesforce’s Agentforce, UiPath, Windsurf, Workday, and Writer.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Frolopiaton Palm via Freepik The post Snowflake Launches New AI Tools to Help Financial Firms Use Data Securely appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Fraud is escalating worldwide—and APAC is at the epicenter. According to Sumsub’s 2024 Identity Fraud Report, identity fraud in the region surged 121% last year, with Singapore recording a dramatic 207% increase. Deepfakes are influencing elections, Card-Not-Present (CNP) scams remain rampant, and even dating platforms face sophisticated impersonations. Nearly half of global businesses and users were victims of identity fraud in 2024, with average losses of US$300,000 per incident. To meet this urgent challenge, Sumsub, a global verification leader, is holding the inaugural What The Fraud (WTF) Summit 2025, a two-day global gathering of fraud fighters and compliance leaders. The summit will be held from 19 to 20 November 2025 at Andaz Singapore. A Critical Platform for a Critical Moment to Fight Against Fraud Andrew Sever “Fraud risks are growing faster than ever. We recognized the need for a dedicated platform where regulators, industry leaders, and fraud experts can exchange actionable insights to beat the global fraudemic. By launching the WTF Summit 2025 in APAC, we aim to collaborate with top minds and craft holistic strategies for a safer digital future.” said Andrew Sever, Co-founder and CEO of Sumsub. The summit will tackle the most urgent regional and global threats head-on—from sweeping new compliance mandates and fast-moving financial crime schemes to the rapidly evolving landscape of digital identity—delivering actionable strategies built by practitioners, for practitioners. Discussions will explore how to balance user conversion with compliance when fraudsters mimic real customers, establish accountability when AI-driven fraud succeeds, and develop strategies to counter money-mule networks, address underbanked vulnerabilities, and meet global compliance crackdowns. What to Expect at WTF Summit 2025 Unlike conventional conferences, WTF Summit is built for professionals on the front lines: compliance officers, AML teams, fraud analysts, product leaders, cyber-risk specialists, regulators, policymakers, and C-level leaders. Sessions focus on real cases, live demonstrations, and hands-on exercises that deliver immediately applicable skills. The summit opens with Workshop Day, featuring three expert-led sessions that offer certifications and hands-on training designed to arm participants with immediately applicable skills. Participants will run simulations, investigate cases, and stress-test solutions under real-world conditions, drawing on workshops previously delivered for international law-enforcement and regulatory bodies, including INTERPOL. On the main summit day, 20 November, keynotes and panels are organised around four core pillars: ● AI & Fraud — Understanding AI-driven scams and defense strategies. ● Digital Identity — Securing identities while maintaining accessibility and compliance. ● Compliance — Navigating new regulatory landscapes, risk intelligence, and financial crime prevention. ● Fintech — Addressing cross-border transactions, innovation in financial technology, and emerging regulations in crypto. High-Impact Speaker Lineup WTF Summit will feature leaders who have built systems, exposed attacks, and advised regulators, including: Antonio Alvarez Lorenzo, Chief Compliance Officer, Crypto.com Lawrence Chan, Group CEO, NETS Hassan Ahmed, Country Director (Singapore), Coinbase Claudia Hui, Head of Compliance (Singapore), Revolut Anu Phanse, Chief Compliance Officer, Coinbase Guy Sheppard, Head of AI Strategy & Adoption, Standard Chartered Bank Karthik Ramanathan, AP Head of Network Services, Mastercard Winston Teo, Director of Singpass, GovTech Singapore And many more from Mastercard, EY, AWS, LSEG Risk Intelligence, TRM Labs, and beyond. Don’t miss your chance to join the industry’s front-line leaders. Fintech News readers are entitled to an exclusive 15% discount. Simply follow this link, and the promo code will be applied automatically.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik   The post Sumsub to Host WTF Summit 2025 in Singapore to Battle Global Fraudemic appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Singapore strengthened its standing as the world’s third largest foreign exchange centre, after the UK and the US, with daily trading volumes climbing to US$1.485 trillion in April 2025. Figures from the Bank for International Settlements’ (BIS) 2025 Triennial Central Bank Survey showed volumes rose 60 percent from April 2022, lifting Singapore’s global share to 11.8 percent from 9.5 percent. The survey covers both foreign exchange and over-the-counter derivatives. Growth was led by the US dollar, Japanese yen and euro, which recorded increases of 36 to 65 percent, while the Chinese renminbi and Australian dollar also saw gains. Spot, forward and swap trades made up 90 percent of turnover, with activity rising 42 to 61 percent over the period. Over-the-counter interest rate derivatives averaged US$208 billion in daily trades in April, up 33 percent from 2022, with the US dollar, Japanese yen and Australian dollar the most actively traded. Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), which worked with central banks and regulators in 52 jurisdictions, drew data from 82 financial institutions in Singapore for the survey. Lim Cheng Khai Lim Cheng Khai, Executive Director of MAS’ Financial Markets Development Department, said, “Singapore’s FX volumes saw strong growth, driven by deeper liquidity in the Asian time-zone to support economic and hedging needs in the region. Broad-based growth across major and regional currencies, as well as FX instruments, reflects Singapore’s continued role as a trusted and efficient price discovery hub. This reinforces Singapore’s position as a gateway for global investors into Asia’s fast-evolving economies and financial markets.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by MAS The post Singapore Holds Third Spot in Global FX Rankings as Daily Volumes Reach US$1.5 Trillion appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Mastercard is using its permissioned payments data to power a new global media network designed to deliver more precise advertising. The platform, called Mastercard Commerce Media, combines transaction insights with Mastercard’s network of advertisers, publishers and consumers. The company said it processed more than 160 billion transactions in 2024 and now works with 25,000 advertisers and 500 million enrolled consumers worldwide. Commerce Media runs across Mastercard’s own channels as well as through banks and publishing outlets. According to the company, advertisers have seen returns of up to 22 times on ad spend across categories such as retail, travel, dining, entertainment and everyday spending. Partnerships with Citi, WPP, American Airlines and Microsoft are expected to extend the platform’s reach. Mastercard described Citi as a force multiplier that brings scale and impact, while its work with WPP strengthens links to brands in traditional media. With Microsoft, the company is testing agentic commerce through Copilot Studio to create real-time connected experiences driven by both humans and AI agents. The launch comes as retail media networks continue to expand. Research firm eMarketer projects the segment will reach nearly US$100 billion in spending by 2028. Mastercard said its platform addresses challenges such as inconsistent measurement and limited consumer insight by using proprietary card-linking technology. This allows advertisers to track both conversion and incrementality across in-store and online purchases, supported by what Mastercard calls the highest standard of attribution. Craig Vosburg “We understand how to connect advertisers to consumers and consumers to the products, services and experiences they value. Mastercard Commerce Media is a natural extension of the trusted connections we’re known for and the work we already do across our unique suite of services. That means we’re not just well-positioned to bring a full-scale commerce media network to life — we’re best-positioned.” said Craig Vosburg, Chief Services Officer at Mastercard.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik   The post Mastercard Debuts Commerce Media to Deliver Targeted Ads From Payments Data appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Banking Circle announced that it has appointed Kirit Bhatia as its new Chief Digital Assets Officer. Bhatia brings more than two decades of experience in financial services and technology. He previously held senior roles at Ripple, where he was Vice President of Business Development and led international expansion efforts, and at Sernova Financial, RBS and JPMorgan Chase. Banking Circle said his appointment will support its strategy as demand for digital assets, tokenisation and stablecoins continues to grow. The company plans to expand its digital asset capabilities, giving clients the ability to manage fiat and digital assets side by side. The company said the offerings will include secure 24/7 treasury services across major currencies. Bhatia’s role will focus on guiding the bank’s approach to embedded digital asset solutions and strengthening its position as a global player in financial infrastructure. Banking Circle, headquartered in Luxembourg, is a fully licensed bank that processes more than €1 trillion in annual payment volumes and provides cross-border payments in 24 currencies for over 650 financial institutions, marketplaces and banks worldwide. Its Singapore subsidiary, BC Payments Singapore, has received in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore for a Major Payment Institution licence.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by digitizesc via Freepik The post Banking Circle Taps Ex-Ripple Exec as Chief Digital Assets Officer appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

UOB is rolling out an artificial intelligence (AI) training drive across the bank to prepare employees for a workplace transformed by digital disruption. The initiative aims to equip staff with technical skills and the confidence to adapt as AI reshapes jobs and business processes. All employees will receive training in generative AI and automation, while those in specialised roles will deepen their expertise in areas such as data science. The bank is also grooming innovation champions to encourage the use of new tools and drive operational improvements. The initiative builds on UOB’s Better U Pivot Programme, which helps staff reskill and move into growth roles through personalised pathways. Since its launch in 2019, more than 26,000 employees across the bank’s markets have taken part in Better U training. To expand its efforts, UOB signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of Banking and Finance, Workforce Singapore and Ngee Ann Polytechnic. The agreement covers training, job redesign, career advisory and research to support employees in adapting to AI. The bank has also introduced IBF-accredited prompt crafting workshops to help staff apply generative AI in daily work. UOB has set up an Innovation Academy to complement these programmes with courses in AI, data and blockchain. It will provide hands-on pathways to strengthen data expertise and foster experimentation across the organisation. The bank said the initiative aims to build a resilient workforce ready for digital transformation while continuing to deliver improved customer experiences.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by UOB The post UOB Launches Bank-Wide Initiative to Upskill Employees for AI-Driven Workplace appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Triple-A is tightening security around stablecoin and fiat transactions by rolling out global payee verification with iPiD. The Singapore-based digital currency payment institution said the integration will help it comply with Europe’s upcoming Verification of Payee requirements while extending the same safeguards to transactions worldwide. The system verifies payee details across fiat and stablecoin on-ramp and off-ramp transfers, aiming to reduce fraud and the risk of failed or misdirected payments. Eric Barbier “Stablecoins are reshaping global payments, and trust in the rails is essential. We chose iPiD because they offer the only global solution for payee verification in markets where it is mandated, as well as a global account verification capability via the same integration. By adopting iPiD, we show Triple-A’s commitment to bring the same level of verification and compliance for fiat payments and digital currencies, ensuring that merchants, consumers, and financial institutions transact with confidence,” said Eric Barbier, CEO of Triple-A. Damien Dugauquier “Triple-A’s adoption of iPiD proves that cross-border KYP isn’t just for banks, it’s also for digital-first providers who are bridging fiat and stablecoin payments. We believe that every payment should be pre-verified and this is just the beginning, we look forward to co-creating the next generation of payment security for digital currency transactions with like-minded partners as Triple-A.” added Damien Dugauquier, CEO of iPiD.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik The post Triple-A Adds iPiD Verification as Stablecoin Payments Gain Ground appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Stripe is making it easier for companies to launch and manage stablecoins, cutting the process down to just a few lines of code with the launch of Open Issuance. The platform, powered by Bridge, the stablecoin infrastructure firm Stripe acquired earlier this year, allows businesses to issue and redeem their own tokens, set reserve mixes between cash and treasuries, and choose partners such as BlackRock, Fidelity Investments, and Superstate. Liquidity is supported by Lead Bank. CASH, an open-loop stablecoin by Phantom, is the first to launch on Open Issuance. Metamask’s mUSD and USDH, built by Native Markets for Hyperliquid, will also be issued on the platform. Stripe said businesses can earn rewards for originating stablecoins and use those incentives to attract customers. New features extend to payments as well. Recurring stablecoin payments are now supported, while the Optimised Checkout Suite accepts stablecoins by default. Stripe turns to AI and agentic commerce US businesses with Financial Accounts can hold balances, convert between fiat currencies, spend with a locally issued card, and send stablecoins cross-border to crypto wallets. Stripe is also preparing for “agentic commerce” through the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), developed with OpenAI. ACP enables AI agents to complete purchases inside tools like ChatGPT’s Instant Checkout. The standard is open and works even for merchants that do not process payments with Stripe. Partners testing ACP include Microsoft Copilot, Anthropic, Perplexity, Vercel, Lovable, Manus, and Replit. For AI companies, Stripe Billing now supports hybrid revenue models that mix subscriptions with usage-based pricing. A new API tracks inference cost changes in real time, while Stripe Radar has been updated to block up to 62% of trial fraud, a growing issue for AI providers offering free access periods. Among more than 40 additional launches, Stripe announced expanded tax collection in 102 countries, Link’s support for Klarna’s buy-now-pay-later service, a new iOS app-to-web checkout flow, and global availability of the Reader S710 with cellular connectivity. Developers on platforms like Vercel and Replit can now embed Stripe sandboxes directly in their environments, while Stripe Connect has added adaptive pricing for 150 markets, integrated financing via Stripe Capital, and new verification tools for platforms. Will Gaybrick “Across stablecoins and AI, Stripe’s role is to pull frontier technology out of the experimental and into the mainstream. With the advent of stablecoins and AI, we’re at the dawn of a new online economy. And we’re relentlessly focused on channeling its many opportunities to help our customers grow.” said Will Gaybrick, Stripe’s president, technology and business. Zach Abrams “If money movement is core to your business, you should build with stablecoins. But don’t build on top of someone else’s coin. With Open Issuance, businesses can build on top of stablecoins that they customise and control, so that the benefits of this important technology flow directly to the people and businesses using them.” said Zach Abrams, co-founder and CEO of Bridge.     The post Stripe Makes Stablecoin Launch Possible in a Few Lines of Code With Open Issuance appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Global payments firm Nium and Emirates NBD are stepping up their cross-border payments push in the MENAT region, widening access to real-time transfers in the UAE and preparing for a launch in Saudi Arabia. The partnership, first announced in 2024, has now been extended to Emirates Islamic Bank, broadening access to real-time payouts across the UAE. Emirates NBD also confirmed it is preparing to roll out the service in Saudi Arabia through Emirates NBD Bank KSA, subject to regulatory approval from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). The UAE remains one of the world’s largest remittance hubs, with outbound flows exceeding US$50 billion in 2023, according to the World Bank. With expatriates making up nearly 90 percent of the country’s population, demand for faster, more reliable and affordable international transfers continues to rise. Anupam Pahuja Anupam Pahuja, Chief Revenue Officer at Nium, said, “Over the past year, our partnership with Emirates NBD has continued to scale, enabling real-time money movement from the Middle East to the world. With the addition of Emirates Islamic Bank and preparations in Saudi Arabia, we are delivering on our vision to make global payments instantaneous, accessible, and cost-efficient for all.” Marwan Hadi Marwan Hadi, Group Head, Retail Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates NBD, said, “Emirates NBD has always embraced innovation to enhance customer experience. Our deepening collaboration with Nium strengthens our ability to provide fast, secure, and affordable remittance services across multiple markets. Extending the partnership to Emirates Islamic Bank and soon to Saudi Arabia reflects our commitment to leading the next chapter of cross-border payments in the region.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by isaac1112 via Freepik The post Nium and Emirates NBD Expand Real-Time Payments in UAE, Plan Saudi Launch appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Backbase, a digital banking software provider, is ramping up its wealth management push with senior hires in the US, Asia and Europe to capture rising demand for digital transformation. Joseph Sullivan Joseph Sullivan has joined as Senior Director of Strategic Accounts in the US, bringing more than two decades of experience in wealth management, private banking, capital markets and fintech. He previously held senior roles including Director of Capital Markets & Investor Solutions at BondLink, Director of Wealth Management & Private Banking at 42 North Private Bank, and Senior Director positions at FINTRX and Interactive Brokers. He began his career at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Kai Jebens In Singapore, Kai Jebens has been named Regional Sales Director. He has held senior positions at Northern Trust, BNY Mellon, FIS, Intercontinental Exchange and Bloomberg. Most recently, as Head of Client Development for Southeast Asia at Northern Trust, he led business development with sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and asset managers across the region. Piotr Wybieralski Piotr Wybieralski has been appointed Senior Sales Director in Switzerland, based in Geneva. He has over 20 years of experience with firms such as Swisscom, Avaloq, SIX Financial Information and Thomson Reuters, focusing on core banking transformations, regulatory projects and market data solutions. His background spans both sales and technical implementation roles. The appointments come as wealth management markets face increasing pressure to modernize. The US remains the world’s largest, with assets under management projected to rise from US$92.5 trillion in 2025 to US$101.6 trillion by 2029. Singapore is expected to expand from US$34.38 trillion in 2025 to US$50.80 trillion by 2030, driven by annual high-net-worth individual growth of 9% and 80% digital adoption. Switzerland, the largest offshore wealth hub, is forecast to grow at a 3.6% compound annual rate through 2028. Backbase said recent client implementations have already shown improvements in satisfaction, productivity and efficiency. Its modular platform allows institutions to upgrade progressively without disrupting operations. With global wealth surpassing US$305 trillion and a historic intergenerational transfer underway, the company said the new hires strengthen its ability to support rising digital adoption across the sector.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by mkmult via Freepik The post Backbase Makes Wealth Management Push With Senior Hires in US, Asia and Europe appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

DBS, UOB and OCBC lifted Singapore’s dividend payouts to US$8.2 billion in the first half of 2025, with the three banks driving a 13.1 per cent rise in distributions, according to Capital Group data cited by The Business Times. The increase was calculated after adjusting for currency effects and one-off payouts. DBS raised its routine quarterly dividends, while UOB and OCBC boosted overall growth with additional special dividends. DBS shareholders received S$0.75 per share each quarter in H1, made up of S$0.60 in ordinary dividends and S$0.15 in capital return dividends, compared with S$0.54 a year earlier. UOB paid S$0.85 per share as its interim dividend, slightly below last year’s S$0.88, but offset this with a S$0.25 special dividend. OCBC’s interim dividend came in at S$0.41 per share, down from S$0.44, alongside a S$0.16 special dividend tied to its FY2024 results. Capital Group noted that the three banks’ solid earnings and capital positions have enabled them to return more funds to investors through both dividends and share buybacks. Globally, financial institutions were the largest drivers of dividend growth in H1, with core payouts climbing 9.2 per cent year on year to a record US$299 billion. DBS was listed among the top 13 banks contributing to that increase, alongside Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ and US-based JPMorgan Chase. Within Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, China and Hong Kong, core dividends rose 5.2 per cent to US$47.5 billion, led by contributions from Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea. Worldwide, dividends reached a record US$1.14 trillion, up 6.2 per cent from the year before.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by EyeEm via Freepik The post DBS, UOB and OCBC Push Singapore Dividend Payouts Beyond US$8 Billion This Year appeared first on Fintech Singapore.