Singapore's Big 3 Banks Drive Global Dividend Surge to Record US$1.14 Trillion
Singapore's three major banks, DBS, UOB, and OCBC, have contributed significantly to the global dividend surge in the first half of 2025. Together, they lifted payouts to a record US$8.2 billion, with worldwide dividends reaching an all-time high of US$1.14 trillion.
The strong performance of these banks has not only boosted Singapore's financial landscape but also driven Asia-Pacific's (excluding Japan) core dividends up by 5.2% to US$47.5 billion. This growth was led by robust dividends from Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea.
DBS, led by CEO Piyush Gupta, played a significant role in this growth. It was listed among the top 13 banks globally that contributed to the dividend increase. The bank's solid earnings and capital position enabled it to raise its routine quarterly dividends to S$0.75 per share, including S$0.60 in ordinary dividends and S$0.15 in capital return dividends. This represents a 13.1% increase in distributions, adjusted for currency effects and one-off payouts.
OCBC and UOB also performed exceptionally well. OCBC paid an interim dividend of S$0.41 per share, with a S$0.16 special dividend tied to its FY2024 results. UOB, on the other hand, paid S$0.85 per share as its interim dividend, with a S$0.25 special dividend.
The robust dividends paid by DBS, UOB, and OCBC reflect their strong financial health and commitment to returning funds to investors. Their contributions have not only benefited local investors but also significantly impacted the global dividend landscape.
