DBS is raising its level of service for corporate clients by launching an advisory programme that aims to help them free up cash flow.

The lender's working capital advisory programme, launched on Tuesday, will aid firms in analysing all aspects of their financial and supply chain needs.

It will identify areas where each company is inefficient in managing its finances and recommend ways to unlock that cash.

For example, the programme could spot a trend of the firm stocking up too much inventory, which traps the company's cash in the goods. The firm may then be advised to reduce its stocks so it can have more cash in hand, which will in turn lower its need to borrow from banks or others.

The programme charges no fee, but is offered only to DBS' corporate clients.

DBS head of global transaction services Tom McCabe said: "We hope through this programme that customers can see we understand their needs fully and will deepen their relationship with us."

The service is available to both multinational corporations as well as small and medium enterprises.

DBS has tested the service with about 40 companies in a pilot programme it began in December.

It said participating firms were able to identify an increase in cash flow of between 20 and 30 per cent.