Access to Financial Services

• Microfinance
• Pioneering Transactions
• Islamic Banking
• Financial literacy
• Our performance

Pioneering Transactions

Our geographic foot print in the sector is unique - including seasoned microfinance markets like Bangladesh and emerging microfinance markets like China. Some of our landmark transactions include:

• Standard Chartered Bank led a consortium in Bangladesh to sign a $55 million deal with BRAC, Bangladesh's largest MFI. The structure of the loan - unsecured and with a tenor of seven years is a milestone for lending activity by an international bank in Bangladesh.
• In December 2007 we became the first foreign bank in China to establish a complete microfinance programme, lending directly to farmers in China. The MoU signed between Standard Chartered Bank and Esquel will assist local cotton farmers in enhancing productivity, increasing their income and improving living standards.
• In December 2007 we signed loan and cooperation agreements with the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation. This was the first time an international bank will provide credit facilities to an organization dedicated to microfinance projects in China.
• In Kenya, we worked with microfinance partner Faulu Kenya Limited to manage the potential foreign exchange risk from a $7 million commitment the MFI received from an international investor.