Standard Chartered granted Dubai International Financial Centre wholesale banking licence

Notes and media contacts

Standard Chartered - leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East
Standard Chartered employs 30,000 people in over 500 locations in more than 50 countries in the Asia Pacific Region, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the United Kingdom and the Americas. It is one of the world's most international banks, with a management team comprising 70 nationalities.

Standard Chartered is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and is in the top 25 FTSE-100 companies, by market capitalisation.

It serves both Consumer and Wholesale Banking customers. Consumer Banking provides credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, deposit taking and wealth management services to individuals and small to medium sized enterprises. Wholesale Banking provides corporate and institutional clients with services in trade finance, cash management, lending, security services, foreign exchange, debt capital markets and corporate finance.

Standard Chartered is well established in growth markets and aims to be the right partner for its customers. The Bank combines deep local knowledge with global capability.

The Bank is trusted across its network for its standard of governance and its commitment to making a difference in the communities in which it operates.

Standard Chartered in the Middle East and South Asia

One of the leading international banks in the region, Standard Chartered has a branch network of 76 branches in 12 countries.

The UAE is the Bank's fourth largest market globally, and Standard Chartered has a commanding share in its chosen market segments. In the UAE, Standard Chartered has a network comprising eight branches and 22 automated teller machines (ATMs). A leader in investment services, credit cards, and personal loans, Standard Chartered is also the leading provider of cash management trade finance, and treasury products and services in the UAE.

Overall, the Middle East and South Asia region contributed over 11% of the Group's revenues in 2003, clearly demonstrating the Bank's strong network and expertise in the region.

For further information, contact:

Niall McLoughlin
Head of Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered Bank
Tel: +971 (0) 4 5070467
Fax: +971 (0) 4 3594174
Mobile: +971 (0) 50 6251329

Or

Robin Duff, MCS/Action, PO Box 20970, Dubai t: +971 4 3902960 f: +971 4 3908161