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DBS Global Survey Reveals Shift in Finance Leaders’ Priorities Toward Data-Driven Intelligence and Sustainable Growth

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New Delhi, July 23, 2025: Finance leaders across the globe are reprioritising their strategies to focus on data-driven financial intelligence, liquidity management, and sustainability amid rising economic uncertainty, according to a new DBS report titled New Realities, New Possibilities. The survey, which included 800 CFOs and corporate treasurers from 14 markets and seven sectors, highlights how organisations are recalibrating for long-term resilience while navigating short-term volatility.

In India, 79% of CFOs and treasurers believe that Generative AI and related technologies will modernise treasury operations and improve efficiency at scale. Additionally, 80% said that sustainable trade finance tools like green bonds and ESG-linked loans would support green initiatives and compliance with environmental standards.

The report shows that finance leaders are increasingly turning to tools such as data visualisation, AI, and blockchain to improve decision-making, liquidity, and foreign exchange (FX) management. Liquidity and FX management moved from seventh to second place in priority, reflecting the need to prepare for increased costs and inventory challenges. Strengthening working capital efficiency was also listed among the top three strategic priorities.

Sundar Srinivasan, Head of Healthcare, NTT DATA North America, noted: “To achieve GenAI’s full potential in healthcare, organizations must align the technology to their business strategies, develop comprehensive workforce training, and implement multilayered governance strategies that prioritize people and keep humans in the loop.”

DBS Bank India executives also highlighted India’s growing influence in global finance. “The new reality is increasingly being defined by uncertainty,” said Divyesh Dalal, Managing Director and Head – Global Transaction Services, SME & Financial Institutional Group, DBS Bank India. “These leaders are assuming enhanced responsibilities as they step up to guide business diversification and capital allocation, while keeping their ESG principles in mind. As a leading Asian transaction bank, DBS is glad to play this role.”

Santanu Mitra, Managing Director & Country Head – Corporate Banking (Large and Midcap), DBS Bank India, added: “As financial strategists, the treasury function is proactively looking to modernise as they integrate multiple agendas to unlock smarter, more sustainable growth. This report is aimed at providing meaningful, future-focused insights to increase competitiveness in a rapidly changing macroeconomic environment.”

The survey also found that 69% of global leaders are exploring GenAI to optimize inventory forecasting and cash conversion, while 77% are using digital tools to strengthen ESG reporting. Around 50% of finance heads are reviewing capital costs by rebalancing equity and debt and reconfiguring supply chains.

The report is the third in DBS’s thought leadership series focused on treasury and finance, offering data-driven insights to help organisations adapt to dynamic global trends.

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