DBS launches debit cards with cross-border payment features

By Divya Shah

DBS Bank has introduced the Chromo credit card for customers aged 21 to 29 and is set to roll out the TravelLah! Debit Card through the DBS PayLah! app from 13 September, targeting younger users.

The launch reflects a growing trend among financial institutions to personalise card rewards using spending data while streamlining international payments through lower-cost foreign exchange solutions.

Chromo differentiates itself through a dynamic rewards model that automatically identifies a customer’s top spending categories each month and allocates bonus cashback accordingly.

Cardholders can earn up to 5% cashback on their two highest eligible local spending categories, covering areas such as dining, shopping, travel, transport, entertainment and wellness, alongside 1% cashback on other eligible spending.

The card also allows users to switch between cashback and miles rewards on a monthly basis, providing greater flexibility without requiring customers to commit to a single rewards structure.

“With Chromo, we are turning the traditional card rewards model around. Instead of asking cardholders to decide upfront where they expect to spend, Chromo does the work for them and automatically awards bonus cashback based on where they spend most each month,” said Chan Sow Han, Head of Payments and Unsecured Lending at DBS Singapore.

Beyond rewards, the card supports fee-free overseas spending by eliminating foreign exchange fees, a feature increasingly adopted by digital banks and FinTechs seeking to attract globally mobile consumers.

Alongside Chromo, DBS has launched the TravelLah! Debit Card, a travel-focused payment product integrated directly into its DBS PayLah! digital wallet ecosystem.

The card enables payments in more than 150 currencies using Visa exchange rates without additional FX mark-ups from DBS. Customers will also benefit from waived overseas ATM withdrawal fees, although third-party operator charges may still apply.

A key feature is its integration with a dedicated Singapore dollar wallet within the PayLah! app, allowing users to separate travel funds from their primary accounts and manage spending through a digital-first interface. The wallet can be funded directly through PayLah! balances or linked DBS and POSB accounts.