Singapore's Big Three Banks Boost Dividends, Contributing US$8.2 Billion in H1 2025

Singapore's Big Three Banks Boost Dividends, Contributing US$8.2 Billion in H1 2025

Singapore's three major banks, DBS, UOB, and OCBC, have significantly boosted dividend payouts in the first half of 2025. Together, they contributed US$8.2 billion to the country's total dividend payments, matching the Government of Singapore's payout for the same period.

DBS shareholders received S$0.75 per share each quarter, including S$0.60 in ordinary dividends and S$0.15 in capital return dividends. The bank raised its routine quarterly dividends, contributing to a 13.1% rise in distributions, adjusted for currency effects and one-off payouts. UOB paid S$0.85 per share as its interim dividend, supplemented by a S$0.25 special dividend. OCBC offered S$0.41 per share as an interim dividend, along with a S$0.16 special dividend tied to its FY2024 results.

This strong performance by the local banks aligns with the broader trend in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, where core dividends rose 5.2% to US$47.5 billion, led by contributions from Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea. Globally, financial institutions were the largest drivers of dividend growth in H1, with core payouts climbing 9.2% to a record US$299 billion. DBS was listed among the top banks contributing to this global growth, alongside Mitsubishi UFJ and JPMorgan Chase.

The robust earnings and capital positions of DBS, UOB, and OCBC have enabled them to return more funds to investors through dividends and share buybacks. Their collective contribution of US$8.2 billion to Singapore's total dividend payments in the first half of 2025 underscores their significant role in the country's financial landscape and their commitment to rewarding shareholders.

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