DBS Bank says it will donate $220,000 to the Singapore Management University (SMU) to create a first-of-its-kind course that will help develop corporate treasury talent in a professional field that has grown in demand and sophistication over the years.

DBS’ contribution will enable SMU to develop a specialised corporate treasury elective for undergraduate and postgraduate students, a first in Singapore. Through this elective, aspiring corporate treasurers will be able to enhance their professional knowledge and insights through practical learning. Not only will DBS Treasury and Markets (T&M) practitioners share their industry knowledge, the bank will also open up its dealing room to SMU students and provide internships to them.

DBS says its two-pronged approach to enhancing partnership with the industry comes amid significant changes in the corporate treasury landscape here.

There has been a growing demand for seasoned corporate treasury professionals in Singapore. This follows the establishment by more companies of their headquarters or regional headquarters here. According to the Economic Development Board, of the 28,000 international companies based in Singapore, around 4,200 MNCs have corporate treasury operations.

Secondly, the 2008 global financial crisis, and the shrinkage of credit in the system at the time, served as a wake-up call to many companies on the importance of having a strong corporate treasury function. Corporate treasurers help to manage a company’s capital and funding needs in the most efficient and optimal way.