Singapore, 18 June 2026 – OCBC has launched a free online SME ESG assessment tool, OCBC PULSE. This is available to all SMEs across its core markets of Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Indonesia to independently assess their sustainability readiness, and also enables large companies to better understand the ESG performance of their SME suppliers.
The tool offers actionable recommendations to the SMEs to help them identify gaps and improve in key sustainability areas. Based on OCBC PULSE’s analysis of the SME suppliers’ submissions, the large companies can work with their suppliers to strengthen their sustainability practices.
As large companies heighten their sustainability ambitions, they are raising expectations for SME suppliers to adopt sustainable practices and track ESG performance. OCBC PULSE provides SMEs with a simple, no-cost way to kickstart their ESG journey, stay competitive in evolving supply chains and tap on OCBC’s financing solutions.
SMEs that wish to track their progress can also repeat the assessment over time. OCBC will pilot the tool with its own suppliers through its procurement operations, in line with its commitment to support the green transition of SMEs.
Developed in partnership with the UN Global Compact Network Singapore, a globally recognised authority on sustainability standards, OCBC PULSE aims to
raise ESG awareness among SMEs and strengthen businesses’ abilities to meet evolving regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations. It was built with reference to Technical Reference 149, a structured framework launched by Enterprise Singapore through Singapore Standards Council, to help businesses assess, track and improve sustainability maturity.
OCBC PULSE as a tool for supply chain ESG analysis
Large companies can request to onboard their suppliers onto OCBC PULSE. A personalised landing page will be set up for them, which can be shared with their SME suppliers to invite them to complete the assessment.
OCBC PULSE is a web-based, self-service platform that requires SME suppliers to complete questions across environmental, social and governance areas. Where needed, they also have to submit relevant document validation to substantiate their responses. After completing the assessment, the SMEs instantly receive a comprehensive report that indicates their ESG readiness levels, classified into Starter, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced, as well as insights into areas for improvement.
The large companies can view a dashboard on their personalised landing page, which provides a detailed analysis of ESG maturity levels and gaps across their suppliers. The dashboard is updated automatically as more suppliers complete the assessment, giving large companies an up-to-date view of their participating suppliers at any time.
Curated workshops will be organised for the large companies and participating SME suppliers, to address areas of improvement and impart ESG knowledge and industry best practices. Depending on the gaps identified, ecosystem partners and relevant subject matter experts will also be brought in to share practical solutions, new technologies and available support schemes.
The roll-out of OCBC PULSE will support the Bank’s ambition, announced in April 2026, to support 12,000 SMEs across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Indonesia with sustainable financing by 2028.
Ms Elaine Heng, Head of Global Commercial Banking, OCBC, said: “OCBC PULSE is a meaningful step forward in making sustainability more accessible for SMEs. Available at no cost and being easy to use, it lowers the cost and complexity for SMEs to start taking action to track and improve their ESG performance, and enhances their access to financing with us.
This is particularly important as many SMEs are part of larger corporate value chains, where expectations around supply chain ESG transparency are rising. OCBC PULSE helps SMEs seize sustainable growth opportunities and stay competitive by meeting these evolving requirements. It also enables large companies to track their suppliers’ ESG readiness, identify gaps and drive collective progress. This reflects our broader commitment to go beyond financing by providing SMEs practical tools, insights and advisory support to make sustainability more actionable.”
About OCBC
OCBC is the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932 from the merger of three local banks, the oldest of which was founded in 1912. It is one of the world’s most highly-rated banks, with Aa1 by Moody’s and AA- by both Fitch and S&P. Recognised for its financial strength and stability, OCBC is consistently ranked among the World’s Top 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance and has been named Best Managed Bank in Singapore by The Asian Banker.
OCBC is the second-largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets. The Group offers a broad array of commercial banking, specialist financial and wealth management services, ranging from consumer, corporate, investment, private and transaction banking to treasury, insurance, asset management and stockbroking services.
OCBC’s private banking services are provided by its wholly-owned subsidiary Bank of Singapore, which operates on a unique open-architecture product platform to source for the best-in-class products to meet its clients’ goals. Its insurance subsidiary, Great Eastern Holdings, is the oldest and most established life insurance group in Singapore and Malaysia. Its asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors, is one of the leading asset management companies in Southeast Asia. Its brokerage subsidiary, OCBC Securities, is one of the leading securities firms in Singapore.
The Group’s key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. It has close to 400 branches and representative offices in 19 countries and regions.
For more information, please visit www.ocbc.com.
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