Standard Chartered operating profit rises 13% to $4.57bn

Almost 80% of the income growth came from organic businesses.

The first half of 2008 saw strong economic growth across key markets driven by strong regional trade flows but performance in the second half was dampened as the financial crisis began to have an impact on the real economy across the world.

The Group managed to significantly build on its reputation as a flight to quality institution with customer deposits rising 31% during 2008, most of it coming in the last quarter as confidence in financial institutions declined. Enhanced liquidity and an even stronger balance sheet, following Standard Chartered's successful rights issue in December, places the Group in a strong position to support clients and capture market share.

Peter Sands, Group Chief Executive, Standard Chartered, said:

"We remain open for business and are supporting our clients as they navigate this turmoil. We want to seize the opportunities arising from this turbulence. We have a clear and consistent strategy, and continue to invest for growth."

Most of Standard Chartered's key geographies delivered strong performance with seven of the nine geographic regions recording income of over $1bn in 2008. Singapore saw OPBT rise 67%, India by 37%, Middle East and Other South Asia (MESA) by 25%, Korea by 10% and Africa by five%. Despite an excellent first half, Hong Kong reported an OPBT decline of 15% as the macroeconomic environment worsened in the latter half.

Group performance was driven by Wholesale Banking which had an outstanding year with income growing 43% to $7.49bn and OPBT by 28% to $3bn. Growth was broad-based across all product categories and geographies, with Global Markets reporting a 60% jump in income and Transaction Banking 31%. The strategy of deepening client relationships paid off with revenues from the top 50 clients rising 45%, while the number of clients with revenues of over $10 million rose 88%.

Consumer Banking delivered a three% growth in income but OPBT declined 33% as the Wealth Management business slowed sharply in the second half following the slump in Asian equity markets. Overall, Wealth Management reported a six% income growth in 2008, while SME, another key focus for the business, saw income rising eight%. Consumer Banking is repositioning its Wealth Management offerings and, across the business, improving productivity and customer service through a series of reengineering projects, including call centre consolidation, and by standardising system platforms, processes and products.

In the second half, the credit environment became increasingly challenging for both corporate and retail customers leading to an increase in delinquencies. As a result, from a very low base, loan impairment rose 74% to $1.3bn. The Group has been taking proactive risk management initiatives which include tightening underwriting criteria, seeking more collateral on loans and improving collections activity.

Focus on balance sheet management has been a key priority for the year. Following the $2.7bn rights issue in December 2008, tier I capital ratio improved to 10.1% while total capital stood at 15.6%, both above the Group's target ranges. Improved deposit gathering led to the Asset-Deposit ratio improving to 75% from 84% at half year.

Mr Sands said: "Standard Chartered has made a good start to 2009. Wholesale Banking has had a very strong January, above levels seen in the same period last year, and continued to increase market share. Consumer Banking will continue to play an important role in gathering deposits and maintaining the Group's liquidity."

Shayne Nelson, Regional Chief Executive, Standard Chartered Mena, said: Standard Chartered has seen strong financial performance not only at a Group level, but also across the Middle East. Fundamentally we are a different bank with a focus on the emerging markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It is this strategy, combined with our disciplined and conservative approach to managing risk that has ensured continued revenue and profit growth, while maintaining good levels of liquidity."

"With a history going back more than 88 years across the Middle East, the Bank has a proven and long-standing commitment to the markets in which we operate. Standard Chartered will continue to perform a critical role supporting investment and trade growth within its emerging markets footprint, providing specialist financial tools and strategic advice to its customers."