Standard Chartered Celebrates 150 Years in Hong Kong

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1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Standard Chartered Celebrates 150 Years in Hong Kong Hong Kong, 28 April Standard Chartered ( the Bank ) today commemorated one-and-a-half centuries of history in Hong Kong with The Standard Chartered 150th Anniversary Cocktail Reception. The Bank celebrated this special milestone with its partners and customers a customer cocktail reception. The cocktail was hosted by Mr John Peace, Acting Chairman; Mr Peter Sands, Group Chief Executive, Mr Jaspal Bindra, Asia CEO of Standard Chartered and Mr Ben Hung, Executive Director and CEO as well as Board of Directors of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited. Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, The Honourable Donald Tsang, GBM; Mr Zhan Yongxin, Deputy Commissioner, China Foreign Affairs Office; Financial Secretary, Mr John Tsang Chun-wah, JP; and Chief Executive of Hong Kong Monetary Authority Mr Joseph Yam, GBS, graced this very special occasion with their presence as officiating guests. Headquartered in London, Standard Chartered has operated for over 150 years in parts of the world s most dynamic markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In Hong Kong, the history of Standard Chartered dated back to Within just a few years after the commencement of its operation in Hong Kong, the Bank, then known as The Chartered Bank was granted a licence to issue banknotes for the city in 1862 and remains one of the three note-issuing banks. In 2002, the Bank listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange; and in 2004, Standard Chartered incorporated its Hong Kong business and now operates as a licensed bank in Hong Kong under the name of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC. Guests at the cocktail were taken for a walk down the memory lane through a specially designed time tunnel which illustrated the Bank s history and recalled the best memories of the Bank and the community in the past 150 years through the display of precious

2 collectables including one of Hong Kong s oldest HK$5 banknotes issued in 1874, a series of piggy banks, the first-in-market 24-hour cash card which contributed importantly to building up our enormous collective memory. Symbolising the Bank s track record of giving back to the local community throughout the long years, 150 children were invited to sing at this evening s event. The children came from the local community, some of which are the beneficiaries of charity projects sponsored or organised by the Bank in collaboration with the Red Cross and Community Chest as well as the next generation of the Bank s own staff. A group of children, who regained their sight because of Standard Chartered s work with ORBIS as part of the Seeing is Believing program, traveled from Yunnan province to perform at the event as well. Mr Peter Sands, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered PLC, remarked, Hong Kong is the most important and the biggest market for Standard Chartered. Since we first opened our doors for business in Hong Kong in 1859, Standard Chartered has been committed to the long term growth and development of this city. This commitment has already spanned one and a half centuries, and remains just as strong today. We are proud to be part of Hong Kong s history. Mr Ben Hung, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited added, As the oldest note-issuing bank in Hong Kong, we have braved through many important moments of the city and are proud to have been able to witness and partake in this exceptional journey, during both good times and bad. In lieu of a usual anniversary souvenir, Standard Chartered Hong Kong has made a donation to Seeing is Believing on behalf of attending guests to restore eye sight of over a thousand. The Bank also encouraged guests to contribute to this initiative in lieu of gifts and flowers to make this special day more meaningful. The response had been overwhelming, a total of HK$2.5 million was successfully raised.

3 Photo Captions Mr John Peace, Acting Chairman; Mr Peter Sands, Group Chief Executive, Mr Jaspal Bindra, Asia CEO of Standard Chartered and Mr Ben Hung, Executive Director and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited; Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, The Honourable Donald Tsang, GBM; Mr Zhan Yongxin, Deputy Commissioner, China Foreign Affairs Office; Financial Secretary, Mr John Tsang Chun-wah, JP; and Chief Executive of Hong Kong Monetary Authority Mr Joseph Yam, GBS, hosted the toasting ceremony.

4 150 children were invited to perform We are the World at the 150 th Anniversary Cocktail. The HKSAR Chief Executive and Peter Sands, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered PLC reviewed the 150-year history of Standard Chartered. --- ENDS ---

5 For further information please contact: Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited Corporate Affairs, Hong Kong Avis Kong Tel: Doris Fan Tel: Or Burson-Marsteller Almen Chui Tel: / Kitty Lam Tel: / Notes to the Editor: Standard Chartered leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East The history of Standard Chartered in Hong Kong dates back to It is currently one of the SAR s three note-issuing banks. Standard Chartered incorporated its Hong Kong business on 1 July 2004, and now operates as a licensed bank in Hong Kong under the name of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC. Standard Chartered PLC, listed on both London and Hong Kong stock exchanges, ranks among the top 25 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. Standard Chartered aspires to be the best international bank in its markets through leading by example to be the right partner for its stakeholders. The group now employs 70,000 people, representing 125 nationalities, in more than 1,600 branches and outlets located in over 70 countries. Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited was named the Employer of Choice at the prestigious Hong Kong HR Awards 2008, and also named by The Gallup Organisation as a winner of the Gallup Great Workplace Award for two consecutive years in 2008 and For more information, please visit: ***