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Hong Kong businesses have entered the new year with cautious optimism, as economic output is expected to rise only moderately and global trade continues to drag. Slower recovery at home has prompted many firms to look outwards, driving interest in regional markets and digital banking capabilities that help simplify cross-border operations, support faster settlement and provide clearer liquidity management. As corporates expand into new geographies, transaction banking has become more central to daily operations, with multiple currencies, streamlined payments and complex cash-flow cycles requiring closer oversight.
Recent projections from DBS suggest Hong Kong’s economic output may rise by about three per cent in 2026, although pressure from external demand continues to weigh on activity*. While exports have stabilised after earlier weakness, global orders have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Many corporates have responded by expanding into the Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia, where trade flows and supply chains have gained momentum. Against this backdrop, they have sharpened their focus on operational efficiency and clearer financial visibility across regional operations. Many have turned to industry-recognised transaction banks, including DBS, for stronger regional support.
Rising pressure on corporate treasury teams
As Hong Kong businesses increasingly operate across more jurisdictions, demands on finance teams have risen. Treasury routines must now support cross-border activities, handle multiple currencies and keep pace with faster processing cycles. Daily treasury work has become more complex, reflecting accelerating financial activities and rising operational intensity. As operations span multiple time zones, liquidity and settlement increasingly fall outside traditional business hours, making round-the-clock support a necessity.
Responding to changing regional needs
DBS has been working with corporates as they respond to these changes, supported by its long record as a trusted bank in the region. The bank has been named Hong Kong’s Best Transaction Bank by Euromoney in 2025, Best Corporate / Institutional Digital Bank in Hong Kong by Global Finance and Best Digital Customer Onboarding Experience in Hong Kong by The Asset, and continues to expand its regional leadership.
Digital banking built for regional business
Corporates entering GBA or ASEAN markets often require more seamless ways to manage payments, foreign exchange and liquidity across borders. As supply chains span multiple markets, these processes have become more interconnected and data-intensive, increasing expectations for banks that can streamline day-to-day operations.
DBS has refined its transaction banking services to give corporate clients a more consolidated experience. Its regional footprint enables smoother fund movements, while automating processes that were once manual and supporting cross-border activity, including foreign exchange (FX) and telegraphic transfers. DBS IDEAL, the bank’s online banking platform for corporates, allows treasurers to run daily operations through a single dashboard, reviewing balances in different markets, approving payments remotely and managing routine tasks with more certainty.
Transaction banking in action
Many businesses have already worked with DBS to reduce the time spent on manual treasury routines. “Transaction banking should never be one-size-fits-all,” says Jolynn Wong, Head of Global Transaction Services at DBS Hong Kong, noting that DBS works closely with treasurers to design bespoke and in-depth solutions suited to their operational needs.
Wong explains that a Mainland Chinese marine transportation company running across major global ports established a Centralised Treasury Centre in Hong Kong with the bank’s support, enabling the firm to manage liquidity through a single platform, accelerate decision-making, optimise interest and reduce bottlenecks. DBS connects its capabilities directly to clients’ systems rather than expecting them to adapt to its own. DBS RAPID API suite has processed more than 900 million corporate API calls**, with usage in Hong Kong rising 56 per cent year-on-year***. This has enabled ERP systems to connect with its cash management and trade finance services and helping cut repetitive work and improve accuracy. “We see our role as more than that of a banking service provider. Through close partnership, we work with clients to address treasury challenges at their source” says Wong.
Trust and resilience remain priorities
Trust and resilience continue to be key considerations for corporates managing cross-border activity. While digital adoption has increased, corporates still value system reliability, security and consistent execution. Recognised as Asia’s Safest Bank^ and Singapore’s largest bank+, DBS has long built its regional role on trust and financial resilience.
“Trust matters most in transaction banking,” says Wong. “When corporate’s supply chain runs across several markets and funds move at a faster pace, you need absolute certainty that every payment will be processed smoothly, without exception. DBS has been recognised as Asia’s Safest Bank for 17 years^, and that reflects not only financial strength but also our operational resilience. Our security standards keep client data protected across jurisdictions, so treasury teams can work with confidence, maintain compliance without compromise, and minimise the risk of settlement gaps.”
Looking ahead
As firms plan for the year ahead, many are monitoring developments in treasury technology, real-time payments and open-banking models, as well as the growing role of data in supporting faster decision-making.
“AI in banking is often deployed for cost-efficient automations or as chatbots, but for us it is about understanding our clients more deeply,” says Wong. “AI helps us deliver solutions that suit how each business works. Our AI tools also support our relationship managers by helping them analyse information and spot opportunities, so they can focus on advisory rather than data gathering. The result is a more proactive way of supporting treasury teams.”
She adds that speed and certainty remain critical for businesses expanding into new markets. With Electronic Identity Document Verification supported by a fully digital customer journey, DBS Hong Kong is able to onboard a Hong Kong incorporated entity as fast as within the same working day#, helping businesses move quickly when timing matters.
“DBS Hong Kong is also preparing for the future of money. We were one of the leading participants in the Phase 2 of the HKMA’s eHKD pilot Programme and worked with the HKMA and industry partners on areas such as tokenisation. Ultimately, transaction banking only brings value if it helps a business scale, manage risk and free its finance team to focus on growth. As Hong Kong companies move further into Asia and beyond, transaction banking has shifted from a back-office function to a source of advantage. At DBS Hong Kong, we bring safety and reliability together with innovation and speed, supported by human expertise and AI.”
*Based on the research “Hong Kong 2026 Outlook: Dual-speed Recovery” published by DBS on 25 November 2025.
^DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025.
** Based on the article “Banks in the Asia-Pacific region are pushing boundaries with bank-to-enterprise API connections, AI-powered insights, and the integration of generative AI (GenAI) as a driver of efficiency” published by Global Finance on 8 September 2025.
*** The API usage data presented is derived from DBS Hong Kong’s internal sources and covers the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.
+According to the database from ‘Bloomberg Terminal’ dated as of 31 December 2025, DBS is the largest bank by assets in Singapore.
# Account opening can be completed within as fast as the same working day for Hong Kong-incorporated entities with all shareholder/director/sole proprietor/partner holding a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card. For Hong Kong-incorporated entities with at least 1 shareholder/ director/ sole proprietor/ partner holding the People’s Republic of China Resident Identity Card, account opening can be completed in as fast as 5 working days. Subject to eligibility and conditions.
