DBS Deploys AI to Cut Corporate Credit Assessment Time by 30%
DBS has introduced an agentic artificial intelligence tool for 1,500 global employees, aiming to reduce corporate credit memo preparation by at least 30%. The bank states the tool handles over 70 tasks, streamlining client financing evaluations.
AI Tool Targets Efficiency Gains
DBS has deployed an agentic artificial intelligence (AI) tool to support 1,500 employees worldwide with corporate client credit assessments. The bank intends to cut the time spent preparing credit memos and related tasks by at least 30%. Currently, these evaluations consume up to 40% of a relationship manager’s time, according to DBS. The new tool uses specialised AI agents to manage more than 70 distinct tasks within the assessment process.
Automating Data Gathering and Drafting
The AI tool gathers crucial information from various sources, including annual reports, industry research, and internal bank records. It then produces an initial draft of a credit memo for employees to review. Credit assessments help banks evaluate a company’s financial health, business outlook, and potential risks before approving financing. Employees can also instruct the AI agents to conduct further research and revise these drafts as needed.
Human Oversight and Strategic Focus
Despite the AI’s involvement, relationship managers and credit risk managers retain ultimate responsibility for the final credit memo. They must apply their own knowledge of the client, industry, and broader business environment.
Han Kwee Juan, DBS’s Group Head of Institutional Banking, stated the agentic AI captures the expertise of top managers, enhancing credit analysis quality at scale. DBS expects the tool to free up relationship managers for more strategic client discussions. Credit risk managers could also focus more on portfolio strategy, risk calibration, and emerging risks.
Broader AI Strategy and Market Impact
This rollout forms part of DBS’s wider strategy to integrate agentic AI across its customer services and internal operations. In July, the bank announced similar agentic AI upgrades for its DBS Joy and DBS digibot virtual assistants. These enhanced assistants will serve approximately 10 million customers across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
For other Asian financial institutions, DBS’s move demonstrates a concrete application of AI to improve operational efficiency and reallocate human capital towards higher-value activities in lending.
This article is journalism, not investment advice; consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Market data is indicative, may be delayed, and should be verified with your broker or exchange before use.
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