The programme is an example of how entrepreneurship and philanthropic ideas intersect.

DBS
A project by DBS to mentor, train and finance 12 social enterprises in Singapore has been launched this week, an example of how banks are pushing forward their credentials in this front to engage with existing and potential clients, a report said.

The programme is jointly administered by the DBS SME banking team and the DBS Foundation, the Business Times (of Singapore) said. The DBS Foundation is a corporate body of the bank aiming to promote "social entrepreneurship". (A "social entrepreneur" has been defined as a person who establishes an enterprise with the aim of solving social problems or effecting social change.)

This publication has contacted the bank to confirm details and may update in due course.

DBS reportedly said that its project means that social enterprises "will have access to mentoring sessions by DBS’ senior SME bankers, banking and finance training courses at the DBS SME Academy, as well as better financing options."

Since 2012, the bank's foundation said it has supported more than 100 social enterprises in Asia with grant funding. The organisation has an annual grant programme.