About Us

Standard Chartered Bank opened its first branch in Bangladesh in 1948, in Chattogram – the nation’s port city and a major trading hub. With the acquisition of Grindlays Bank in August of 2000, we inherited a presence in Bangladesh that dates all the way back to 1905. We also acquired American Express Bank’s commercial banking business in 2006. Today, we are the only multinational universal bank serving the nation. For as long as we have been around, we have been proud to be a partner in progress to Bangladesh.

• Standard Chartered is the only multinational universal Bank in Bangladesh, with over 120 years of uninterrupted presence in the nation.
• Our first branch opened in Chattogram in 1905. Today, we have 18 branches nationwide that cater to key economic centres. We are proud to say that our banking presence is the most extensive when compared to other foreign financial institutions operating in the market.
• As the longest established bank in the country, we have earned the distinction of being an innovator in the market with many firsts. We were the first international bank to extend credit lines to an independent Bangladesh; open the first external letter of credit (LC) in 1972; introduce the first ATM; launch the first debit card, credit card, international debit card, and Shariah-compliant credit card; inaugurate the first 24-hour contact centre; launch the first state-of-the-art Online Banking Platform; and facilitate the first cross border acquisition. We also acted as a co-advisor to Bangladesh Bank to help the country achieve its first ever sovereign credit rating, when we worked with S&P.
• In Bangladesh, Standard Chartered is a digital-first bank. All our recent efforts have been geared towards innovating and implementing banking services with convenience, accessibility, security, and the goal of building a cashless future.
• In recent months, Standard Chartered Bangladesh has continued its pioneering streak with a number of ‘firsts’ for the country – including a partnership with MetLife to become the first multinational bank in Bangladesh to offer bancassurance products to clients; the transmission of the first end-to-end digital cross-border Letter of Credit; the completion of the first automated over-the-weekend loan disbursement; the launch of new and original digital learning tools; the implementation of bespoke industry-first solutions for clients; and various community engagement and sustainability initiatives focused on being here for good.
• Standard Chartered Saadiq is the only international Islamic banking proposition in Bangladesh for both retail and corporate clients.
• We have retained our AAA credit rating for the last 17 years . The Bank has also been recognised as one of the highest taxpayers in the Banking Sector by the Government multiple times over the years.

• “Best Trade Finance Provider” in Bangladesh at the Global Finance Trade Awards in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
• “Best Bank in Bangladesh” at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023. Other major recognitions by Euromoney include wins for “Best International Bank” in Bangladesh in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
• “Best International Bank” in Bangladesh at the Asiamoney Best Bank Awards in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
• “Best Bank in Bangladesh” by FinanceAsia in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023.
• Lauded for “Biggest Environmental, Social, and Governance Impact” and “Most Progressive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” at the FinanceAsia Awards 2023.
• Winner of the “Renewable Energy Adoption Award – Bangladesh” at the ESGBusiness Awards 2023 for uplifting char-based communities via the Bank’s Solar Village project with Friendship.
• “Best Retail Bank” at the Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2023.
• “Excellence in Consumer Cards – Credit” and “Excellence in Contactless Payments – Issuer” at the Visa Payments Excellence Awards 2023.
• “Excellence in Mastercard Contactless (Issuing),” “Excellence in Mastercard Credit Business (International),” and “Excellence in Mastercard Business (Innovation)” at the Mastercard Excellence Awards 2023.
• “Digital Bank of the Year,” “Best Digital Upgrade,” and “Best Mobile Upgrade” at The Asset Triple A Digital Awards 2023.
• “Islamic Bank of the Year” at The Asset Triple A Islamic Finance Award in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023.
• “Best Retail Bank” in Bangladesh at The Asset Triple A Islamic Finance Award in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023.
• Named the “Country’s Best Trade and Cash Management Service Provider” at The Asset Triple A Treasurise Awards 2023. The Bank claimed another eight accolades at this award ceremony, including “Best Service Provider, Cash Management” and “Best Service Provider, Trade Finance” in Bangladesh.
• “Best CSR Bank” and “Most Innovative Digital Bank” at the International Business Magazine Awards 2023.
• “Best Overall Bank for Cash Management” at the Global Finance Treasury and Cash Management Awards 2023.

• “Bank of the Year” in Bangladesh by The Banker in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017; and “Best Bank in Bangladesh” by The Banker in 2019 and 2022.
• “Best Bank in Bangladesh” at The Asset Triple A Sustainable Capital Markets Country Awards in 2022.
• “Market Leader for Trade Finance” in Bangladesh per the 2022 Euromoney Trade Finance Survey and the 2022 Asiamoney Trade Finance Survey.
• “Best Trade Finance Bank” in Bangladesh at the Global Brand Awards in 2022.
• “International Trade Finance Bank of the Year” in Bangladesh at the ABF Wholesale Banking Awards in 2022.
• “Best Service Provider – Cash Management, Bangladesh” at The Asset Triple A Treasury, Trade, Supply Chain and Risk Management Award in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022.
• “Best Service Provider Trade Finance, Supply Chain” at The Asset Triple A Treasury, Sustainable Supply Chain and Risk Management Awards in 2022.
• “Best Service Provider – Trade Finance, Bangladesh” at The Asset Triple A Treasury, Trade, Supply Chain and Risk Management Award in 2018 and 2021.
• “Best Renminbi Bank” at The Asset Triple A Treasury, Sustainable Supply Chain and Risk Management Awards in 2022.
• “Best Trade Finance Bank, Bangladesh” at the Corporate Treasurer Awards 2022.
• “Excellence in Mastercard Contactless, Issuing” and “Excellence in Mastercard Credit Business, International” at the Mastercard Excellence Awards 2022.
• “Best Foreign Bank” in Bangladesh at the FinanceAsia 20^th Anniversary Platinum Awards in 2016.
• “Best International Investment Bank” in Bangladesh by FinanceAsia in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
• “Best Deal in Bangladesh” by FinanceAsia in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
• “Best Trade Finance Provider” in Bangladesh at the Global Finance Trade Awards in 2020 and 2021.
• “Best Bank in Bangladesh” at The Asset Triple A Country Awards in 2020.
• “Best in Treasury and Working Capital – MNCs/LLCs, Bangladesh” and “Best in Treasury and Working Capital – SMEs, Bangladesh” at The Asset Triple A Treasury, Trade, Supply Chain and Risk Management Award in 2018 and 2019.

• “CSR Market Leader” in Bangladesh by Euromoney Market Leaders 2022.
• “Best CSR Bank” in Bangladesh by Global Brands Magazine in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
• “Best CSR Bank” in Bangladesh at the Business Tabloid Banking Awards in 2022.
• “Best CSR Bank” in Bangladesh by International Finance in 2017, 2019, and 2022.
• “Best CSR Bank” in Bangladesh by Global Brands Magazine in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
• “Best CSR COVID-19 Initiative” at the Global Brand Awards in 2020.
• “Best CSR Bank” in Bangladesh by International Finance in 2017, 2019, and 2022.
• “Outstanding CSR Performance” at the AmCham CSR Excellence Awards in 2021.
• “COVID-19 Response” at the A Better Tomorrow CSR Awards in 2021.
• “Best Bank in COVID-19 Initiatives” and “Best CSR Bank” at the BT Banking Awards in 2021.

• “Islamic Banking Window/Unit of the Year” by the Islamic Finance Forum for South Asia (IFFSA) in 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
• “World’s Best Islamic Financial Institution” by Global Finance in 2019, 2020, and 2022.
• “Best Islamic Bank for Digital CX” at the Digital CX Awards in 2022.
• Islamic Banking Initiative of the Year in Bangladesh at the ABF Retail Banking Awards in 2022.
• World’s Best Islamic Financial Institution” by Global Finance in 2019, 2020, and 2022.
• “Best Islamic Digital Bank” in Bangladesh by Global Finance in 2017, 2018, and 2021.
• “Best Islamic Bank for Digital CX” at the Digital CX Awards in 2022.
• “Best Islamic Retail Bank” at the Digital Banker’s Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards in 2020 and 2021.

• “Digital Experience of the Year – Banking, Bangladesh” at the Asian Experience Awards 2022.
• “Best Mobile Banking App” at the World Economic Magazine Awards in 2022.
• “Best Digital Bank” by Asiamoney in 2017.
• “Best Digital Bank” by Global Brands Magazine in 2021.
• “Best Mobile Banking App” at the World Economic Magazine Awards in 2022.
• “Best Mobile Banking App” at the Global Economics Awards in 2021.
• “Best SME Mobile Banking App” at the Digital Banker’s Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards in 2021.

Sustainability is strategically important to the Group and embedded in the way we do business, underpinning our brand promise, here for good. We collaborate with local partners to support social and economic development in communities across our footprint. As we work together towards achieving our shared sustainability aspirations, our ambition is to empower the next generation to learn, earn, and grow through community programmes centred on education, employability, and entrepreneurship.

Our community initiatives over the years have focused on economic empowerment of marginalised communities; bridging the gender gap; improving access to health, education, and financial literacy; supporting agricultural innovation; promoting sports, arts, and culture as drivers of positive social transformation; and combatting climate change by spearheading sustainable interventions and initiatives.

In recent months, to drive forward community support measures, the Bank has:

• Supported more than 60,000 farming households via a range of carefully curated agricultural services. Through these initiatives more than 700 more sustainable agricultural machines were deployed, 2 model village established, 4 storage facility and 8 plinths were developed for the marginalised communities;
• Powered oxygen plants across four community hospitals with a combined capacity of 1,700 litre/min, serving up to 800 patients per day.
• Facilitated job-readiness and economic reintegration for more than 7,000 vulnerable youths;
• Delivered winter essentials to 3,000 beneficiaries in the northern districts while supporting 100,000 flood affect people across 11 flood affected districts of Bangladesh;

• Planted more than 250,000 trees at the Lalmai-Mainamati heritage site and different project implementation sites to support climate mitigation efforts and protect and conserve natural resources.

Other Completed projects:

• Standard Chartered Bangladesh is financing Jibon Kheya – a floating hospital – in order to provide healthcare support and essential medical services to over 50,000 beneficiaries. The Jibon Kheya, a Bidyanondo Foundation initiative, will travel through the rivers of Bangladesh.
• In December of 2023, Standard Chartered committed to financing the installation of a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Medical Oxygen Generation Plant on the grounds of Kumudini Hospital in Mirzapur, Tangail. The PSA Oxygen Plant will ensure a continuous supply of 600 litres/minute of oxygen to approximately 150 ailing patients per day, which completed in 2024.
• Standard Chartered recently contributed BDT 29 million to uplift 800 apiculture entrepreneurs and preserve the local bee population with the BASA Foundation.
• The Bank has partnered with KMSS to boost sustainable floriculture industry development by propagating the cultivation of high value crops such as roses, jasmines, orchids, tulips, and more.
• Standard Chartered Bangladesh has partnered with TMSS to boost quality of life, build resilience, and drive productivity across Bangladesh’s farming communities. As part of this effort, the Bank has launched three distinct interventions. For the first initiative, Standard Chartered will collaborate with TMSS to distribute 125,000 fruit, medicinal, and timber tree saplings to 25,000 farmers residing in Bogura, Joypurhat, and Sirajganj. For the second project, the Bank will distribute 2,000 kilograms of sunflower seeds amongst 900 farmers. The third programme involves the distribution of high-quality onion seeds to 2,000 farmers in Bogura, Pabna, and Faridpur.
• Standard Chartered Bangladesh has partnered with BRAC to uplift socio-economic conditions of haor-based farmers in Sunamganj and Habiganj and to boost agricultural mechanisation. The Bank is also working with BRAC to improve the livelihoods of around 600 Sundarbans-based fisherman.
• Standard Chartered Bangladesh and the Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS) have come together to foster sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient aquaculture processes. As part of the joint initiative, the two organisations will work together to boost the availability and accessibility of high-quality fish spawn (G3 Rohu) for 2,800 aquaculture farmers.
• Standard Chartered and FRIENDSHIP are transforming the lives of 9,250 char-based farmers with end-to-end agricultural support through two initiatives. As part of the projects, Standard Chartered will provide solar-powered irrigation systems and other modern technologies, training opportunities, technical support, and market-extension assistance to beneficiaries.
• Standard Chartered Bangladesh and FRIENDSHIP inaugurated a comprehensive environmental project for 750 residents of Ghughumari Char, a remote sedimentary island in Kurigram. Under the framework of this project, the previously off-grid island has been supported with a 54-kilowatt solar micro-grid, 60 tube wells, and a tree plantation initiative for 1,350 saplings.
• The Standard Chartered Agrow Award recognises the leaders and innovators that are moving our agriculture industry forward. Last year marked the eighth edition of Agrow Award and our fourth year partnering with Channel i – Bangladesh’s leading TV channel. To date, there have been 66 award winners under this program.

Some of our community interventions fall under our Futuremakers initiative. Futuremakers by Standard Chartered is our global initiative to tackle inequality. Futuremakers programmes are delivered by NGOs, not-for-profit organisations, and charity partners – including the Standard Chartered Foundation (SCF) – around the world.

• Standard Chartered, in collaboration with UCEP, launched the “Giving Wings to Dreams for Youth Empowerment Programme.” The project will provide skills training, courses on mid-level management, and entrepreneurship development opportunities to 2,000 beneficiaries through various training programmes.
• Standard Chartered Bangladesh has also partnered with Kumudini Welfare Trust of Bengal (BD) Limited to train and provide employment opportunities for the next generation of Bangladeshi nurses. As part of this initiative, the Bank will support 118 students. Graduates are guaranteed employment at the Kumudini Hospital for a term of two years – enabling all beneficiaries to gain practical work experience.
• Standard Chartered Bangladesh also works with Population Services and Training Center (PSTC) to power Goal – an education programme which combines sports with life-skills training to provide girls with the confidence and knowledge they need to be become economic leaders in their families and communities. In 2023, the Bank celebrated 10 years of Goal in Bangladesh and the far-reaching impact the programme has had on the lives of over 50,000 adolescent girls nationwide.

Our ongoing initiatives,

• Standard Chartered Bangladesh and Ispahani Islamia Eye Institute & Hospital (IIEI&H) have partnered to set up 71 comprehensive Eye Health Camps for adult  beneficiaries and 1,667 Student Sight Testing Programmes (SSTP) for school-going children. The initiative will reach 10,000 adults and 250,000 students across Dhaka, Naogaon, Jamalpur, Barishal and Amtali (Potuakhali).
• Following the success of phase 1 of Jibon Kheya Initiative, Standard Chartered Bangladesh and the Bidyanondo Foundation are working together to provide healthcare support and essential medical services to 241,600 beneficiaries belonging to isolated char, riverbank-based communities and other hard to reach areas across the country.
• In December of 2024, Standard Chartered committed to support mangrove afforestation initiative led by FRIENDSHIP. Under this initiative, engaging local communities FRIENDSHIP will lead mangrove afforestation project in Koyra upazila. 50 ha land will be converted into mangrove forest, which will eventually help the communities to generate their livelihoods.
• Standard Chartered Bangladesh partnered with the Bidyanondo Foundation to launch a plastic exchange programme to promote recycling and sustainability while supporting approximately 82,000 individuals. As part of this project, the Bank will collaborate with the Bidyanondo Foundation to establish 65 plastic exchange camps. Through this approach, the Bank not only incentivises recycling of around 250 MT plastics, but also provides tangible benefits to individuals and families. Additionally, the plastic collected as part of this initiative will be recycled and used to produce rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) bottles.
• Standard Chartered, in collaboration with UCEP, launched the “Giving Wings to Dreams for Youth Empowerment Programme phase 2 & 3” These projects will provide skills training, courses on mid-level management, and entrepreneurship development opportunities to 5,000 beneficiaries through various training programmes.