The three Singapore banks have embraced corporate social responsibility (CSR) with varying initiatives recently. Aside the usual fundraising and philanthropy, the banks have begun to encourage their staff to volunteer as well. For example, more than 2,000 DBS Bank employees were involved in the company's CSR efforts in 2008, while OCBC Bank's staff volunteer programme is about 400-strong.

United Overseas Bank (UOB), which started its staff volunteerism programme in 2007, allows staff two days of volunteer leave to encourage their participation. In comparison to foreign banks, however, Singapore's CSR programmes are still evolving and reporting on their part is still in early stages.

Singapore's banks also fail to state with whom they would not do business. They are also silent on diversity efforts.