Our History

Standard Chartered Bank was formed in 1969 through the merger of two separate banks, the Standard Bank of British South Africa and the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China. These banks had capitalised on the expansion of trade between Europe, Asia and Africa.

The Chartered Bank

The Chartered Bank was founded by James Wilson following the grant of a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria in 1853. The bank opened in Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata and Shanghai in 1858, followed by Hong Kong and Singapore in 1859. The traditional trade was in cotton from Mumbai, indigo and tea from Kolkata, rice from Burma, sugar from Java, tobacco from Sumatra, hemp from Manila and silk from Yokohama. The bank played a major role in the development of trade with the East following the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the extension of the telegraph to China in 1871. In 1957 Chartered Bank bought the Eastern Bank, together with the Ionian Bank's Cyprus Branches and established a presence in the Gulf.

The Standard Bank

The Standard Bank was founded in the Cape Province of South Africa in 1862 by John Paterson, and started business in Port Elizabeth in the following year. The bank was prominent in financing the development of the diamond fields of Kimberley from 1867. It later extended its network further north to the new town of Johannesburg when gold was discovered there in 1885. The bank expanded in Southern, Central and Eastern Africa and had 600 offices by 1953. In 1965, it merged with the Bank of West Africa, expanding its operations into Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Our strategy

We aspire to be the world's best international bank, leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. We focus on building deep and long-standing relationships with our clients and customers and constantly look to improve the quality of our products and services.

Our success
In the last eight years we have reported record income and profits. Twenty-three of our markets now deliver over US$100 million of income, 15 over $100 million in profit. Listed on the London, Hong Kong and Mumbai stock exchanges, we rank among the top 20 companies in the FTSE-100 by market capitalisation.

Our focus on basic banking

Our success is a result of being obsessed with the basics of banking - balancing the pursuit of growth with a disciplined management of costs and risks and keeping a firm grip on liquidity and capital. Through our international network and expertise, we facilitate trade across markets, enable multinational clients to conduct complex business transactions and service the needs of an increasingly international consumer base.

Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Standard Chartered is the largest and fastest growing International Bank in Pakistan. The Bank has been operating in Pakistan since 1863 when it first established its operations in Karachi. Standard Chartered now employees over 4,000 people and has a branch network of 132 branches across 29 cities in the country. Standard Chartereds core businesses in Pakistan are in Consumer Banking and Wholesale Banking.

Standard Chartered Pakistan is the first international bank to get an Islamic Banking license and to open the first Islamic Banking branch in Pakistan and has been given credit ratings of AAA/ A1+, the highest long-term rating assigned by PACRA to any private sector commercial bank. The Banks efforts have been recognised by independent and credible authorities; we won "Best Foreign Commercial Bank in Pakistan" award by FinanceAsia; "Best International Trade Bank in Pakistan 2009" by Trade Finance Magazine, a publication of Euromoney; "Best Foreign Exchange Provider" Award from the Global Finance Magazine for 2010; Triple A awards for the 'Best Debt House in Pakistan' award by The Asset; "Pakistan Deal of the Year 2009" award by the Islamic Finance News; 'Awards for Excellence', London 2009, by the Global Custodian; Consumers Choice Award for being the "Best Credit Card Provider in Pakistan" by the Consumer Association of Pakistan. Vision Mission Statement To be the Best Bank in Pakistan, leading the way with superior performance, sustained service excellence and engaged people

Standard Chartered leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East Standard Chartered PLC, listed on both London and Hong Kong stock exchanges, ranks among the top 20 companies in the FTSE-100 by market capitalisation. The London-headquartered Group has operated for over 150 years in some of the world's most dynamic markets, leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. We have produced seven years of record income and profit, primarily as a result of organic growth. Standard Chartered aspires to be the best international bank for its customers across its markets. The Group earns around 90 per cent of its income and profits in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, from its Wholesale and Consumer Banking businesses. The Group has 1700 branches and outlets located in 70 countries. The extraordinary growth of its markets and businesses creates exciting and challenging international career opportunities. Leading by example to be the right partner for its stakeholders, the Group is committed to building a sustainable business over the long term and is trusted worldwide for upholding high standards of corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental protection and employee diversity. It employs around 75,000 people, nearly half of whom are women. The Group's employees are of 125 nationalities, of which about 70 are represented in the senior management