With over 150 years of history, Standard Chartered Bank PLC is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the Hang Seng Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and is among the top 25 FTSE-100 companies in terms of market capitalization. It employs around 39,000 people representing 89 nationalities in some 1,200 branches spread around 56 countries, and completed in April 2005 its acquisition of Korea First Bank (KFB), the seventh largest bank by assets in Korea.

For the year ending 31 December 2005, Standard Chartered announced increased global profits of USD2.68 billion with income increased by 27% to USD6.86 billion, and total assets up by 46% to USD215 billion. Of the bank's 2005 profits, 95% were derived from the Asian, African and Middle Eastern markets, with income from this region up 25% to USD808 million and profit before tax up 27% at USD478 million. In this region, Standard Chartered has a network of 76 branches spread around 12 countries.

Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) is Oman's oldest bank, having first operated in 1925, under the name of "The Ottoman Bank". The first Middle East branch was opened in Bahrain in 1920 and was followed five years later by a Jordanian branch. Qatar ensued in 1950 and the UAE in 1958. In 1968, a branch was inaugurated in Oman and it was Beirut's turn in 1979. In April 2004, SCB was awarded permission to operate in Iraq. Through Standard Chartered Bank UAEStandard Chartered Bank UAE, Dubai is the administrative hub for the Middle East and South Asia.

In the 2004 annual Retail Bank International Lafferty Awards, SCB was named the Best Retail Bank in the Middle East Region for 2004. In 2005, the bank won the Gulf Marketing Review (GMR) Effectiveness in Marketing Award for Corporate Social Responsibility at the 15th annual IR Magazine UK Awards 2005.

In 2004, Standard Chartered acquired ANZs Project and Advisory business. Since then, SCB introduced in Qatar a range of consumer and wholesale banking products and services, including free 24-hours internet banking, phone banking services and Qatar's first mini credit card. They also launched a special segmented banking offer for non-resident Lebanese and non-resident Indian expatriates based in Qatar; and "Fusion" a current account offering interest on customers' balances. In August 2005, the Dubai International Financial ExchangeDubai International Financial Exchange appointed Standard Chartered PLC as its clearing bank, while SCB launched its "Khazana Note", a six year capital guaranteed investment offering an opportunity to invest in the GCC and European market. The bank has a range of Shariah compliant products and services in the areas of Consumer Banking, Corporate Banking and Global Markets approved by a Sharia Supervisory Council.

In October 2006, Istithmar bought USD1 billion (representing 2.7% stake) of Standard Chartered bank (UK).