Standard Chartered Holds a Client Event: "Effective Working Capital management leveraging e-channels"

Working Capital and its effective management, leveraging e-Channels tools to effectively manage their working capital and day to day transactions

Wednesday 9th May, Bahrain - In line with its continuous efforts to deepen its client relationships and understanding, Standard Chartered held a client event to discuss trends, solutions and challenges in working capital and its effective management, leveraging technology. The event was held in Bahrain and was attended by senior finance, treasury and technology representatives of the Bank's clients representing a mix of segments including Local Corporate, Global Corporates and Institutions and Intermediaries.

As part of our Thought Leadership Program, it had industry experts from the Bank and guest speakers presenting on specific topics including Open Account Transaction Management, Cash Collections and Account Receivables Reconciliation, Standard Chartered Technology Capabilities, SWIFTnet and Liquidity Management. This was followed by a Panel Discussion with the audience and the Panel Members debating a variety of topics including 'Security & Control'; 'Working Capital and Treasury Management'; 'Process Optimization'; 'Balancing Risk' and the 'Implementation Journey'.

The Client Event addressing a key client requirement comes at an ideal time when recovery is underway and the pressure on optimal working capital management and return on investment dictate that surplus cash be put to use. The Middle East has seen considerable change in the way business is being done today. Clients are seeking better operating models to create efficiencies that add to a fresh approach to how Clients manage their Working Capital. They are seeking to adopt technology to manage their business domestically and expand their purview across borders because it fit with their business aspirations.

Commenting on the business, Aida Kalla, Head of Origination and Client Coverage, Standard Chartered Bahrain:
"Transaction Banking is a core business that is critical to our Wholesale banking strategy and essential to our client relationships. Moreover, it has taken on a strong focus as the liquidity engine for the Bank. Combined with our ability to provide technologically smart solutions using our proprietary Straight2Bank e-channel, we can support working capital solutions in cash, trade or securities services for our Wholesale Banking and Institutional clients, deepening these relationships as a result."

Commenting on the importance of such workshops, Hussain Shirazie, Director and Head of Transaction Banking – Bahrain, Oman and Levant for Standard Chartered Bahrain said:
"Working Capital Management is one of the key issues that companies are looking at to ensure enough liquidity to fund their operations and to maintain a healthy balance sheet. With an industry centric relationship focus becoming prevalent, Banks have become experts at replicating best practice and successful solutions. This Client Event is an ideal platform to share our capabilities to leverage technology to achieve this with our clients and is part of our continuous efforts to deepen our client relationships and develop further understanding of their business requirements and needs. "

Standard Chartered regularly holds workshops, conferences and seminars for its clients to discuss the latest issues and trends in the finance industry in general and their business in particular.

For further information, please contact:

Nimmi Kamal
Head Corporate Affairs Bahrain, Standard Chartered Bank
Tel: +973 3977 076
E-mail: Nimmi.Kamal@sc.com

Standard Chartered - leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East

Standard Chartered PLC is a leading international bank, listed on the London, Hong Kong and Mumbai stock exchanges. It has operated for over 150 years in some of the world's most dynamic markets and earns around 90 per cent of its income and profits in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This geographic focus and commitment to developing deep relationships with clients and customers has driven the Bank's growth in recent years.

With 1,700 offices in 70 markets, Standard Chartered offers exciting and challenging international career opportunities for more than 87,000 staff. It 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. The Bank's heritage and values are expressed in its brand promise, 'Here for good'.

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