STI Starts Strong, Riding On Blue-Chip Backbone
Trading volume stood at 62.79 million securities, with a total value of S$75.07 million. Market breadth was positive, with 99 advancers outpacing 42 decliners in early trade.
Among the top STI constituents, DBS rose 0.19% to S$47.350, while OCBC Bank held at S$17.300 and UOB remained steady at S$37.100. Singtel opened at S$4.160, and CapitaLand Investment traded at S$2.810. Seatrium Ltd and ST Engineering were also active, opening at S$2.410 and S$8.460 respectively.
Broader indices also showed strength, with the iEdge-OCBC Singapore Low Carbon Select 40 Capped Index up at 3,271.25, and the iEdge S-REIT Leaders Index at 1,045.41. Meanwhile, the iEdge APAC Financials Dividend Plus Index stood at 3,068.43 and the iEdge-UOB APAC Yield Focus Green REIT Index at 2,319.31, reflecting sustained investor interest in income and sustainability-driven themes.
The upbeat tone at the opening mirrored regional optimism, with investors watching for key earnings reports and economic data due later in the week, particularly from the US and China. Related
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The Star
19 hours ago
- The Star
Investing with purpose
WEALTH was once measured in numbers alone. Today, it is also measured in meaning—in the lives it improves, the futures it shapes and the values it reflects. This shift has fueled the rise of meaningful investing, where affluent individuals are increasingly looking beyond financial performance and seeking purpose in their portfolios. For a new generation of affluent investors, particularly millennials and Gen Zs who are building or inheriting wealth, consideration for long-term ESG factors is now seen as standard and expected. These investors want to know that their financial decisions reflect their values, whether that means supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy, backing companies with strong social governance, or contributing to long-term environmental resilience. A practical guide As sustainable investing becomes more mainstream, the term ESG is showing up more often in wealth and portfolio conversations. But what does it mean in this context and how is it measured? ESG stands for the three key lenses investors use to assess how responsibly a company operates beyond financials: > Environmental: How a company manages emissions, energy, waste, and biodiversity impact. > Social: How it treats workers, customers and communities. This includes labour rights, privacy and diversity. > Governance: How the company is run from board oversight and ethics to executive pay and transparency. To help investors navigate these factors, ESG ratings are used as benchmarking tools Independent agencies like MSCI, Sustainalytics, and S&P Global assign scores based on how well companies manage ESG risks and opportunities compared to their peers. Most ratings use either a letter-grade scale such as CCC to AAA; or a numerical scale such as 0 to 100, where higher scores reflect stronger ESG performance. Crucially, a high ESG rating does not mean a company is perfectly 'green' or ethical. It means that it is managing ESG issues better than others in its sector. For instance, a mining company with strong environmental controls may still score well, despite the industry's overall footprint. Ratings are a helpful starting point, but not a final judgment. Agencies may score the same company differently due to varied data sources or methodologies. Hence, investors are encouraged to combine ESG scores with company disclosures, regional or thematic insights, professional advice as well as personal or sector values. As the field evolves, regulators are pushing for greater consistency and transparency in ESG assessments. In the end, ESG isn't about labelling a company as 'good' or 'bad.' It helps businesses make better-informed investment decisions that align profit with purpose. Shaping purposeful wealth journeys Recognising this growing interest in sustainability, OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (OCBC Bank) has taken a holistic approach to help clients integrate ESG considerations into their investment journeys. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all model, the bank empowers clients to make informed, values-aligned decisions through a suite of solutions, including: > Digital tools that support discovery and decision-making such as ESG fund screeners, portfolio analysers and thematic investment journeys that highlight opportunities in areas like climate tech or social impact. Some tools even estimate the carbon footprint or impact potential of a client's portfolio. > Strategic partnerships with some of the world's top investment managers —including BlackRock, Fidelity, and Schroders—to expand access to high- quality, sustainability-focused investment products. > Dedicated advisory from relationship managers trained in ESG topics, ensuring clients receive timely, relevant, and personalised guidance. This approach ensures that the bank's clients are supported at every stage—from understanding ESG concepts to building portfolios that reflect both their financial objectives and personal values. Importantly, it recognises that responsible investing does not require compromising on performance. Fusing sustainability with service OCBC Bank's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its products and services. The consideration of sustainability is even applied to design thinking of its client spaces. The bank's Premier Private Client Centre in Bangsar, for instance, was conceived with ESG principles in mind. Its features include: > Energy-efficient systems to reduce carbon footprint. > Biophilic elements, which promote wellbeing and energy efficiency—bringing natural light and greenery into the space. > EV charging bays, encouraging the use of low-emission vehicles. > Incorporation of Malaysian heritage and art, supporting local culture and contributing to the communities' social sustainability. These design choices reflect OCBC Bank's belief that ESG should go beyond portfolios to shape the entire client experience—from advisory conversations to appreciation of physical spaces. Wealth with intention As clients increasingly seek to align their investments with their values, financial institutions play a vital role by providing access to sustainable products and supporting informed, confident decision-making. OCBC Bank remains committed to helping clients navigate this transition. By offering relevant tools, expert insights, and purpose-driven solutions, the bank enables investors to take a long-term view—building portfolios that are financially robust, ethically grounded, and aligned with the future they wish to see. It's all part of the bank's goal to make sustainable investing a natural and empowering part of every client's journey. OCBC Bank's commitment to excellence in sustainable finance has been recognised across the region: > Malaysia International Green Financing Bank of the Year awarded by ABF Wholesale Banking Awards 2025 > Best Sustainability Sukuk awarded by The Asset > Green Project Deal of the Year awarded by The Asset > Global Finance Sustainable Finance Awards 2024 > Best Bank for Sustainable Finance (Malaysia) The bank is also known for its overall banking and environmental excellence: > Malaysia Bank of The Year awarded by The Banker > Best Green Data Centre awarded by the Green Climate Initiative and Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology > Asian Banking & Finance Retail Banking Awards 2025: Branch Innovation of the Year; Private Wealth Bank of the Year—Malaysia Scan to learn more about OCBC Bank's sustainable solutions for investing and financing.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
DBS Launches Gen AI-Powered Coaching Tool to Future Proof Its Workforce
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 24 July 2025 - DBS announced today that it is democratising coaching for its workforce with the launch of iCoach, a Generative AI-powered (Gen AI) platform developed in collaboration with Marshall Goldsmith, one of the world's top executive coaches. While most corporations reserve coaching[1] for their top executives or high potential talent, DBS believes that employees at all levels would benefit from coaching by receiving expert advice on career development as well as topical issues such as work-life balance, personal and small team leadership, or mental wellness. However, the main challenge has always been scaling coaching in an efficient and cost-effective manner – coaching is usually done on a one-to-one basis and can be costly. With the advent of Gen AI, DBS saw an opportunity to leverage the technology to overcome these challenges, enabling the bank to avail coaching to employees across its network. Lee Yan Hong, Head of Group Human Resources, DBS, said, 'As the world of work continues to evolve, building career resilience has become more important than ever. At DBS, we are committed to helping our people thrive by equipping them with future-ready capabilities through our comprehensive Triple E framework – Education, Exposure and Experience. iCoach is a powerful new addition that complements these efforts, leveraging Gen AI to offer personalised, on-demand career guidance to help every employee confidently navigate and grow in the future of work.' Betty Lam, Head of Human Resources, DBS Hong Kong, said, 'DBS continues to entrench our standing as a Responsible AI leader and bring our employees along this responsible AI journey where AI is used ethically and effectively. iCoach is a powerful tool that allows our employees to focus on personal and career growth. At the same time, we also encourage our employees to equip themselves with the necessary AI skills, which will be crucial for our collective success.' iCoach's knowledge base was developed in partnership with Marshall Goldsmith, a leading coaching expert with over four decades of experience working with top CEOs and executives, including those from Fortune 500 companies. Dr Goldsmith was inducted by Thinkers50[2] into its Hall of Fame in 2018 and is the only two-time Thinkers50 #1 Leadership Thinker in the World. He was also the inaugural winner of the Lifetime Award for Leadership by the Harvard Institute of Coaching. iCoach is always-on and available 24/7 to provide employees with just-in-time personalised career guidance. It is tailored to each employee, drawing on the context of the bank's roles, functions and internal mobility pathways to deliver relevant and actionable career advice. Data from International Coaching Federation and Better Up Career Coaching showed 70% of people in organisations who underwent coaching benefitted from improved work performance, relationships and more effective communication skills. 80% of people who received coaching reported increased self-confidence. iCoach further reinforces the bank's commitment to upskilling its employees and building career resilience, and complements other DBS initiatives including: --> iGrow, an AI / machine learning-powered platform that offers personalised career advice by matching employees to tailored learning and job opportunities based on their career and training history. --> DBS Mentoring Programme, which connects employees with leaders and peers, enabling them to gain practical guidance, career insights and support at critical points in their professional growth. --> DBS Learning Hub, which provides employees with more than 10,000 curated courses, to learn and pick up new skills. --> Be My Guest Programme, where employees have the opportunity to participate in job shadowing, workshops and projects across departments. Last year, over 4,000 such opportunities were taken up by employees. The bank's commitment to supporting employees with career development has contributed to its recognition as an employer of choice. In 2025, DBS was ranked first in TIME's 500 Best Companies in Asia Pacific, while in 2024, the bank was named among Forbes World's Best Employers. In Hong Kong, DBS Hong Kong was also recognised at the 'Bloomberg Businessweek - Financial Institutions 2025 Awards', winning the 'Training Academy – Excellence Performance' and 'Training Program of the Year – Outstanding Performance' awards. Additionally, DBS Hong Kong was honoured with the 'Employer of the Year', 'HR Team of the Year', and the 'Grand Award of Recruitment' at the Jobsdb Hong Kong HR Awards 2024/25. [1] Coaching focuses on achieving specific, short-term goals through structured guidance, while mentoring emphasises long-term personal and professional growth through a supportive relationship. For more info here. [2] Thinkers50 is the world's pre-eminent global ranking of management thinkers and has been described by The Financial Times as 'the Oscars of management thinking'. About DBS DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's 'AA-' and 'Aa1' credit ratings are among the highest in the world. Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named 'World's Best Bank' by Global Finance, 'World's Best Bank' by Euromoney and 'Global Bank of the Year' by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named 'World's Best Digital Bank' by Euromoney and the world's 'Most Innovative in Digital Banking' by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the 'Safest Bank in Asia' award by Global Finance for 16 consecutive years from 2009 to 2024. DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region's most dynamic markets. DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting social enterprises: businesses with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping communities with future-ready skills and building food resilience. With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
DBS Launches Gen AI-Powered Coaching Tool to Future Proof Its Workforce
iGrow, an AI / machine learning-powered platform that offers personalised career advice by matching employees to tailored learning and job opportunities based on their career and training history. DBS Mentoring Programme, which connects employees with leaders and peers, enabling them to gain practical guidance, career insights and support at critical points in their professional growth. DBS Learning Hub, which provides employees with more than 10,000 curated courses, to learn and pick up new skills. Be My Guest Programme, where employees have the opportunity to participate in job shadowing, workshops and projects across departments. Last year, over 4,000 such opportunities were taken up by employees. Coaching focuses on achieving specific, short-term goals through structured guidance, while mentoring emphasises long-term personal and professional growth through a supportive relationship. For more info here. [1] [2] Thinkers50 is the world's pre-eminent global ranking of management thinkers and has been described by The Financial Times as "the Oscars of management thinking". HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 24 July 2025 - DBS announced today that it is democratising coaching for its workforce with the launch of iCoach, a Generative AI-powered (Gen AI) platform developed in collaboration with Marshall Goldsmith, one of the world's top executive most corporations reserve coaching[1] for their top executives or high potential talent, DBS believes that employees at all levels would benefit from coaching by receiving expert advice on career development as well as topical issues such as work-life balance, personal and small team leadership, or mental wellness. However, the main challenge has always been scaling coaching in an efficient and cost-effective manner – coaching is usually done on a one-to-one basis and can be the advent of Gen AI, DBS saw an opportunity to leverage the technology to overcome these challenges, enabling the bank to avail coaching to employees across its network., said, "As the world of work continues to evolve, building career resilience has become more important than ever. At DBS, we are committed to helping our people thrive by equipping them with future-ready capabilities through our comprehensive Triple E framework – Education, Exposure and Experience. iCoach is a powerful new addition that complements these efforts, leveraging Gen AI to offer personalised, on-demand career guidance to help every employee confidently navigate and grow in the future of work.", said, "DBS continues to entrench our standing as a Responsible AI leader and bring our employees along this responsible AI journey where AI is used ethically and effectively. iCoach is a powerful tool that allows our employees to focus on personal and career growth. At the same time, we also encourage our employees to equip themselves with the necessary AI skills, which will be crucial for our collective success."iCoach's knowledge base was developed in partnership with Marshall Goldsmith, a leading coaching expert with over four decades of experience working with top CEOs and executives, including those from Fortune 500 companies. Dr Goldsmith was inducted by Thinkers50[2] into its Hall of Fame in 2018 and is the only two-time Thinkers50 #1 Leadership Thinker in the World. He was also the inaugural winner of the Lifetime Award for Leadership by the Harvard Institute of is always-on and available 24/7 to provide employees with just-in-time personalised career guidance. It is tailored to each employee, drawing on the context of the bank's roles, functions and internal mobility pathways to deliver relevant and actionable career advice. Data from International Coaching Federation and Better Up Career Coaching showed 70% of people in organisations who underwent coaching benefitted from improved work performance, relationships and more effective communication skills. 80% of people who received coaching reported increased further reinforces the bank's commitment to upskilling its employees and building career resilience, and complements other DBS initiatives including:The bank's commitment to supporting employees with career development has contributed to its recognition as an employer of choice. In 2025, DBS was ranked first in TIME's 500 Best Companies in Asia Pacific, while in 2024, the bank was named among Forbes World's Best Employers. In Hong Kong, DBS Hong Kong was also recognised at the "Bloomberg Businessweek - Financial Institutions 2025 Awards", winning the "Training Academy – Excellence Performance" and "Training Program of the Year – Outstanding Performance" awards. Additionally, DBS Hong Kong was honoured with the "Employer of the Year", "HR Team of the Year", and the "Grand Award of Recruitment" at the Jobsdb Hong Kong HR Awards 2024/ #DBS The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About DBS DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world. Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named " World's Best Bank" by Global Finance, " World's Best Bank" by Euromoney and " Global Bank of the Year" by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named " World's Best Digital Bank" by Euromoney and the world's " Most Innovative in Digital Banking" by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the " Safest Bank in Asia" award by Global Finance for 16 consecutive years from 2009 to 2024. DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region's most dynamic markets. DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting social enterprises: businesses with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping communities with future-ready skills and building food resilience. With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit
