International Women's Day 2026: Women Entrepreneurs More Likely To Lead Financial Decisions, Says DBS Report

Almost 69 per cent of women entrepreneurs identify themselves as the primary decision-makers for financial issues, while the numbers for rural women earners stand at 60 per cent and for high net worth (HNW) women at 58 per cent, states a report by DBS Bank India titled Money Matters: Mindsets, Financial Agency, and Behaviour Across Life and Career Stages.

Financial Decision-Making Increasing Among Women

The findings from the report indicate that financial autonomy tends to increase with age, particularly among female entrepreneurs and HNW women. As women gain experience in their careers and businesses, their confidence in managing financial matters appears to grow.

However, many women also reported relying on their family members for financial advice even when they were not making the financial decisions independently. Among the HNW women interviewed for the survey, 55 per cent reported relying on their spouse or partner for financial advice. The numbers stand at 50 per cent for female entrepreneurs and go up to 73 per cent for rural women earners.

Global Presence Influences Banking Choices for Women Entrepreneurs

Another interesting fact revealed by the report is the influence of a bank’s global presence on the banking choices of women entrepreneurs.

Around 89 per cent of female entrepreneurs have said a bank's global footprint influences their choice of banking partner. Similarly, 84 per cent of HNW women reported the same.

A large proportion of respondents in these segments already bank with institutions that operate globally. Around 81 per cent of female entrepreneurs and 80 per cent of HNW women reported using banks with an international network, suggesting demand for services linked to cross-border business activities and investments.

Entrepreneurs Seek Support More Than Capital  

While access to credit is still important in supporting the growth of businesses, many women entrepreneurs are seeking more than just financing.  About 44 per cent said the network of peers and interactions with other entrepreneurs are important. Around 40 per cent showed an interest in sector-specific mentorship, while 33 per cent said they want better connections with investors to get access to growth capital.  

A further 22 per cent said they are seeking advice on government schemes, grants or opportunities such as pitch competitions.

Different Segments Have Different Digital Adoptions

The report has highlighted variations in access to digital financial services across segments.

Female entrepreneurs have shown the greatest levels of digital adoption. Around 84 per cent said they use UPI, and 59 per cent reported the use of digital financial tools such as banking apps.

Among HNW women, UPI adoption stands at 77 per cent, while 52 per cent said they use digital financial applications, including savings and banking apps.

Rural women earners, however, still go for traditional banking channels more. About 47 per cent said that they prefer visiting the bank branches for financial services.

Despite relatively high smartphone ownership in this segment, there is limited adoption of digital financial services. Around 44 per cent said they are not familiar with using financial apps, while 37 per cent cited their concerns around online scams. Connectivity problems were reported by 31 per cent.

Financial Priorities And Retirement Planning

Financial priorities differ between groups. Among female entrepreneurs, 73 per cent reported that purchasing a home or property is one of the most important long-term goals. The same priority was mentioned by 64 per cent of HNW women.

For rural women earners, the education of children is the topmost financial priority, identified by 73 per cent of them.

Retirement expectations, too, vary from segment to segment. Among female entrepreneurs, 39 per cent said they expect to retire after the age of 50 years, and 20 per cent think they may never completely retire. Some 26 per cent said they still are unsure of their retirement plans.

Of HNW women, 41 per cent expect to retire after 50 years, and 29 per cent said they expect to be engaged with work throughout their lives.

The report also says retirement preparedness is still low among rural women earners. Around 37 per cent said they do not have a long-term financial plan for retirement, while others depend on bank or post office savings, pension schemes or informal savings instruments.