HH Suroor Bin Mohammed opens revitalised Standard Chartered Abu Dhabi branch

The opening, also attended by the Bank's Group CEO Mervyn Davies, who travelled from London for the event, follows a multi-million dirham two-month-long renovation. The upgrade makes the Istiqlal Branch the first in Standard Chartered's 1,200 international branch network to boast a Small Medium Enterprises (SME) Banking Centre and Wealth Management Priority Banking Centre in one facility.

"This arrangement will help the Bank create synergies between both businesses, and the inclusion of these market-leading initiatives demonstrates the bank's overriding commitment to the UAE capital," said Jeremy Parrish, CEO, Abu Dhabi & Al Ain, Standard Chartered Bank.

"It also shows strong support for the economic diversification initiatives now being undertaken by the emirate's rulers under the visionary leadership of the country's President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

"The opening up of the Abu Dhabi real estate market, its huge investment in an international tourism infrastructure and its increased willingness to partner the private sector in development initiatives are already paying dividends with much more to follow in the long-term," Mr Parrish added.

"It is precisely this growth strategy which has attracted the solid support of Standard Chartered Bank which has over the past year devoted considerable investment, both financial and human, in upgrading its presence in Abu Dhabi - a policy which will continue for a long time to come."

Standard Chartered launched an intensive growth strategy for Abu Dhabi last year with the appointment of Jeremy Parrish and a five-year deal for platinum sponsorship of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

The revamped Istiqlal Branch now sports a fresh and friendly new look with corporate rebranding, new hi-technology automated teller machines (ATMs) and a more refined interior.

"Istiqlal is a visual demonstration of our commitment to the UAE capital's customer base and reflects our desire to live up to their ever increasing expectations," said Owen Belman, Consumer Banking Head, Standard Chartered Bank, UAE.

"The revitalised branch is a taste of more to come within Standard Chartered's Abu Dhabi offering which is designed to position us as a clear market leader," concluded Belman.

"Our overall aim is to partner both the public and private sector in Abu Dhabi as the emirate as a whole moves towards a new era of privatisation, project development and openness," explained Parrish. "We perceive the capital as a key market and believe that opportunities will abound across a range of financial offerings from retail to project financing and we are determined to play a leading role in these developments."

Standard Chartered Bank UAE operates the largest number of branches of any international bank in the country with 10 outlets throughout Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates.