ABS Community Giveback Kick-off Programme 2026

Mr Tan Teck Long, Chairman of the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) and Group CEO of OCBC Bank

Mrs Ong-Ang Ai Boon, Director, ABS

Ms Jeanie Tan, Assistant Chief Executive (Operations), People's Association (PA)

Mr Tay Choon Hong, Chief Executive, Health Promotion Board (HPB)

Mr Vipul Chawla, Group CEO, FairPrice Group

Ms Jean Khong, General Manager, FairPrice Foundation

Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

• Good morning! It is my pleasure to join you for the ABS Community Giveback Programme.

• Let me start by giving a big thank you to ABS for championing this meaningful cause.

Businesses can be a powerful force for social good

• The banking and financial sector is central to Singapore's economic success. But beyond making an economic impact, you are also showing that businesses can also be a powerful force for good. In Singapore, you play a key role to help weave a stronger social fabric and be a powerful engine for social change.

• Businesses bring with you resources, networks, and passionate people who want to make a difference. This partnership allows us to work together to meet community needs and impact lives.

• And you don’t just give through financial contributions. Your members volunteer step forward and contribute directly to touch the lives of our residents. Oftentimes, it is this direct connection that creates the most meaning and impact for both beneficiaries and volunteers. So thank you ABS, member banks and all volunteers for stepping beyond the workplace to touch the lives of our residents, stand with families, and strengthen our community.

• And I am happy to note that businesses of all sizes are stepping forward. Through this two-day initiative, banks, both large and small, have used the opportunity to mobilise volunteers to collectively make a meaningful impact.

• And that is the true spirit of coming together to weave a stronger social fabric. For when all of us come together to make a contribution, no matter how big or small, we can collectively make an impact for the community.

Cross-Sector Partnerships Can Multiply Impact

• Beyond coming together to make a contribution, we can also come together in partnership and through that, multiply our impact.

• Every organisation is unique and brings unique strengths to the table. And when we leverage each others’ strengths, we multiply our impact.

• ABS brings powerful networks and passionate volunteers. PA brings trusted community networks and an in-depth understanding of residents’ needs. HPB brings a strong understanding of nutrition science so volunteers can give our families practical advice for healthier food choices. FairPrice brings convenient shopping touchpoints and additional financial support from the FairPrice Foundation.

• Different strengths, one purpose. And when we unite in partnership, we multiply our impact.

• I also want to thank our organisers from ABS and PA for going the extra mile.

  • When PA’s community networks identified residents who could not join the shopping activities because of mobility challenges, our organisers decided they will go the extra mile.

  • Volunteers will buy the requested groceries for the residents, and PA’s grassroots leaders will deliver them to residents’ homes.

• Thank you for going this extra mile so no resident is left behind.

Closing

• In closing, let me take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers from ABS and its member banks, PA, HPB and FairPrice once again for coming together in partnership to contribute and to make a difference to our community. Can we give our volunteers and organizers a big round of applause please.

• I hope many more organisations and individuals will follow your lead and contribute their unique strengths as we all seek to build a more caring and inclusive Singapore together.

• To all our volunteers: enjoy the conversations, the company and also the grocery run. Have a meaningful afternoon ahead.