Singapore's Big 3 Banks Boost Dividends, Drive Global Growth to Record US$299B
Singapore's three major banks, DBS, UOB, and OCBC, have significantly boosted their dividend payouts in the first half of 2025. Together, they contributed US$8.2 billion to the global dividend growth, which reached a record high of US$299 billion in the same period.
The banks' robust earnings and strong capital positions allowed them to return more funds to investors. DBS raised its routine quarterly dividends to S$0.75 per share, while UOB and OCBC supplemented this with special dividends. UOB offered S$1.10 per share (S$0.85 interim + S$0.25 special), and OCBC provided S$0.57 per share (S$0.41 interim + S$0.16 special). This drove a 13.1 per cent rise in distributions from the trio.
Globally, financial institutions were the largest drivers of dividend growth in H1. DBS was among the top contributors, alongside Mitsubishi UFJ and JPMorgan Chase. Within Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, core dividends rose 5.2 per cent to US$47.5 billion, led by Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea.
The increased dividend payouts by DBS, UOB, and OCBC reflect their strong financial health and commitment to rewarding shareholders. Their contributions have significantly impacted both local and global dividend growth in the first half of 2025.
