DBS has entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore (IBF) to “uplift, upskill and upbuild” financial sector talent pipeline in the Singapore for an AI-driven future.
The pact covers three strands of cooperation focused on AI-related skills, job transition and the development of future talent for Singapore’s financial services industry.
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The first area, labelled Uplift, centres on building basic AI knowledge among employees through programmes recognised by IBF.
Topics are set to include AI governance, responsible AI, prompt engineering and workplace uses of AI.
The second area, Upskill, relates to support for workers whose roles are being altered by AI.
DBS and IBF said they will trial and develop workforce measures to help employees adjust to redesigned positions.
The third area, Upbuild, is aimed at expanding the pool of younger entrants into the financial sector in Singapore.
This will include exposure for students to the use of AI in finance through schemes such as IBF’s Young Talent Programme for AI in Finance, where DBS is involved as a pioneer partner.
Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore CEO Carolyn Neo said: “IBF and DBS will continue to testbed and co-develop workforce interventions to build a skilled and future-ready workforce in an evolving AI-enabled world.”
DBS said it plans to take in more than 500 local young people in 2026 under its management associate, internship and traineeship schemes.
In a separate move, the bank has introduced a Career Advisory Service for employees as AI changes work patterns and career routes.
It combines internal advisers with AI-based career tools, including iGrow and iCoach, to support staff in assessing strengths, considering options and mapping career plans.
The new service starts with more than 100 Career Advisors from within the organisation and will initially be offered to employees across its six core markets.
DBS Group human resources head Lee Yan Hong said: “Our strategic partnership with IBF brings together our collective expertise and commitment to develop future ready capabilities at scale – equipping our colleagues with the skills, confidence and opportunities to thrive alongside AI, while strengthening the young talent pipeline for the wider financial sector.”
