DBS opens up direct funds top-up & transfer function for Singapore travellers in China

Users can now transfer funds directly to their Weixin Pay accounts, which the bank said can help reduce friction for customers navigating China’s highly digital and wallet-centric landscape.

Singaporeans, Permanent Residents (PRs), and foreigners residing in Singapore can now use DBS Remit via digibank to transfer funds directly to Weixin Pay, the digital RMB wallet within the Weixin and WeChat apps.

To access the feature, users will need to verify their passports within the app. 

DBS said the move comes amid growing travel and payment flows between Singapore and China, and follows TenPay Global opening e-wallet remittances to users globally.

The latest enhancement builds on the growing adoption of DBS Remit transfers to Weixin Pay wallets since the feature was introduced in February this year.

According to DBS, the number of customers using DBS Remit to fund their Weixin Pay wallets has quadrupled since launch, while transaction volumes have surged eightfold. The bank also said average transaction sizes have grown to more than SGD800 since February, reflecting growing customer familiarity and confidence in using DBS Remit for daily cross-border spending in China.

P’ing Lim, Regional Head, Ecosystems & Cross Border Payments, Consumer Banking Group, DBS Bank, said consumers today no longer view payments in isolation, particularly in China where digital wallet apps are ubiquitous and deeply woven into everyday life.

“We believe that this latest enhancement is another step towards making cross-border experiences feel more local and intuitive for travellers, as well as those studying and working abroad,” she added.

DBS said the latest enhancement improves accessibility to China’s broader digital ecosystem beyond payments, including transport bookings and food ordering across merchants and services. According to the bank, the feature also helps reduce friction for customers navigating China’s highly digital and wallet-centric landscape.

While users may already link credit cards to digital wallets for payments, DBS noted that transactions above certain thresholds may incur additional fees. Funding digital wallets directly through DBS Remit allows users to avoid these additional platform transaction fees.

The development also follows an enhancement introduced by OCBC in February, when it enabled customers to scan Weixin Pay QR codes in China, reflecting how Singapore banks are steadily expanding cross-border payment capabilities.

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Lead image / DBS