Asia Awards 2025: Best data management initiative—DBS Bank

Initiative overview

The RDU Governance Operating Model is a multi-dimensional model designed to provide oversight around the responsible use of data within DBS Group Operations (Ops). The model provides guidelines to ensure all GenAI and other AI/machine learning (ML) use-cases adhere to the bank’s key policies and standards. The Group Ops RDU committee ensures a consistent and holistic approach to manage AI/ML use-cases and other RDU matters.

The problem it solves  

With the growing demand for and implementation of AI/ML use-cases, DBS stakeholders are becoming mindful of the risks involved with how organizations collect, analyze and use their data. DBS established a framework for responsible data use to ensure data is handled ethically, securely, and complies with regulations, while maximizing its value for decision-making. The firm’s group operations management team took this further and launched a detailed framework and operating model to enhance responsible data use within operations.

Results  

The governance model ensures that 100% of Ops GenAI use-cases have undergone proper reviews, approvals and quality checks. With this RDU Governance model, Ops has balanced GenAI innovation and resilience. Eighteen use-cases were reviewed by DBS Bank’s Ops RDU Committee from May to December 2024 and were successfully rolled out to drive the transformation in Group Ops across the region.

Future plans

The Ops RDU Governance Model was initially launched for Singapore use-cases and has since been rolled out to the bank’s core markets of China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and Taiwan to guide and govern these other DBS Operations GenAI use-cases. The lessons learned from the operating model and risk guardrails have been shared not just across Ops teams in all locations, but also by other units within the bank, both domestically and internationally.

Why they won

DBS Bank’s second win in the 2025 WatersTechnology Asia Awards comes courtesy of its outstanding RDU Governance Operating Model initiative that provides the firm’s management with a framework around its use of data across the business. The model provides guidelines to ensure all GenAI and other AI/ML use-cases adhere to the bank’s key policies and standards, a responsibility that large numbers of capital markets firms on both sides of the industry are similarly grappling with as the number of AI/machine learning use-cases continues to grow. 

The governance model ensures that all GenAI use-cases across its operations teams undergo appropriate reviews, approvals and quality checks, thus ensuring the responsible use of AI data in addition to enhancing clarity, accountability and responsibility.