Standard Chartered is Africa's Bank of the Year

| Friday December 14, 2007 00:00

The awards include a major regional award, the Bank of the Year in Africa 2007, while the country awards are for the Best Bank in Afghanistan, Botswana, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and in Zambia in 2007. 'We are delighted to win these awards,' says Peter Sands, the Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered. 'Standard Chartered's strategic intent is to be the world's best international bank, leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

'The Banker Awards 2007 recognise Standard Chartered's leading positions and achievements in these markets. I would like to thank our employees for their hard work and our customers for allowing us to serve them.' Standard Chartered has been operating in Africa for more than 140 years. The bank currently has over 140 branches in 13 African countries. A statement says Stanchart is ideally positioned to take advantage of the growing trade corridors both intra-Africa and between Africa and Asia. David Cutting, the CEO of Standard Chartered in Botswana, picks up the cue: 'We are delighted to receive this award from The Banker, which represents the successful culmination of the efforts of the whole team.

'Our mission is to 'Lead the Way in Africa, Asia and the Middle East'. The Banker's conferring this Best Bank award on Standard Chartered Bank Botswana is an encouraging and prestigious confirmation that we are moving in the right direction to achieve this ambition.'

The Standard Chartered Botswana franchise is growing, with four agencies having recently been upgraded to full branches. Other Standard Chartered outlets include premium banking Excel Centres, a 24-hour Customer Call Centre, a Loan Centre and mobile direct sales representatives (DSR). 'Consumer banking continues to be the engine of growth, but wholesale banking has also registered improved performance across all products, Cutting continues.

'Better customer service is a determining factor in gaining competitive advantage, and through staff engagement and development efforts, our recently published 9 months results for 2007 reflect healthy year-on-year growth on the back of record results in 2006. We continue to lead the way in a host of innovative initiatives in both wholesale and consumer banking. We also participate in Community initiatives which contribute to building a sustainable business.'

Standard Chartered PLC, listed on the London Stock Exchange, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the BSE, ranks among the top 25 companies in the FTSE-100 by market capitalisation.