DBS CEO Says AI Financing Market Is Demanding Stronger Returns

DBS Group Holdings CEO Tan Su Shan said the market is reassessing risks tied to financing artificial-intelligence infrastructure as demand grows for computing capacity, semiconductor supply and data centers.

The market is placing greater emphasis on expected returns and more durable deal structures, Tan said. The shift reflects closer attention to whether AI infrastructure projects can support sustainable financing as the industry expands.

AI development requires large amounts of capital for computing equipment, semiconductor production and data-center capacity. Financing decisions in those areas can affect the pace at which new infrastructure is built and expanded.

DBS has emphasized measuring the business impact of its artificial-intelligence initiatives and allocating resources to programs with demonstrated traction. DBS estimated that its data analytics and AI programs delivered about S$1 billion in economic value in 2025.

“We fully anticipate that the pace of AI development will continue to be breathtaking,” Tan said.

Tan has been CEO of DBS Group Holdings since March 2025. Her comments come as financial institutions assess how to support AI infrastructure while placing more weight on returns and the structure of individual transactions.