Suriname’s financial landscape is undergoing a significant digital transformation as De Surinaamsche Bank N.V. (DSB) unveils a comprehensive suite of innovative banking solutions. The institution has launched cutting-edge services including real-time ATM status monitoring and an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot, marking a substantial leap in digital banking accessibility for its customers.
The bank’s technological advancements include the DSB Buddy, an artificial intelligence chatbot available 24/7 via WhatsApp (+471100), providing instant information about various products and services. Additionally, the bank introduced the Corporate Prepaid Card, enabling employees to make company-approved payments seamlessly.
These innovations have yielded remarkable results: DSB recorded 23,000 new accounts opened through September, while online banking users surged to 100,138—a significant increase from 76,510 in 2023 and 87,650 in 2024. The growth demonstrates the successful adoption of digital banking services among Surinamese consumers.
During a press conference at their headquarters, DSB’s management elaborated on these developments while presenting their 2024 financial results. Among the standout innovations is the Digital Personal Loan platform, which enables completely paperless loan applications, processing, and signing through the same WhatsApp number used for the AI chatbot.
The bank also unveiled a new compact Point-of-Sale (POS) device that enhances payment convenience through paperless transactions. The device sends electronic receipts via email, eliminating traditional paper receipts.
The Corporate Prepaid Card has gained particular traction among larger corporations, allowing employees to cover business-related expenses with easily reloadable cards. Meanwhile, the reintroduced Easy Card enables international online payments from any location with internet access, requiring a USD checking account with a monthly limit of $2,000 and an annual fee of $50.
For customers preferring cash transactions, DSB launched the online ATM Status Overview (atm.dsb.sr), providing real-time visibility of all DSB ATMs nationwide, indicating which machines are operational, out of service, or empty.