London, 27 March 2012 - Standard Chartered launches its sixth annual Sustainability Review, setting out how it has delivered on its strategy to provide a strong return for shareholders, while creating social and economic value in the communities where it operates.

Standard Chartered contributed to the real economy by increasing its lending to customers and clients by more than 75 per cent since June 2007. This included a 60 per cent increase in credit to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), crucial drivers of growth and employment across the Bank's markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Standard Chartered also provided thousands of more people with the opportunity to buy their own homes, increasing mortgage lending by 40 per cent to USD 69.5 billion across its footprint.

The Bank continues to support the development of clean technology. Standard Chartered has mobilised USD8.43 billion of finance for the clean technology sector globally, meeting its 2007 Clinton Global Initiative promise to support the sector last year. This reflects USD6.4 billion in debt financing and

USD1.9 billion in equity financing, including two finance deals worth over USD200 million to support wind power projects in India. The Bank also played a part in the initial public offering of Chinese wind farm operator Huaneng Renwables Corporation with a USD50 million investment.

As the largest supplier of structured agrifinance in Africa, Standard Chartered continues to make significant progress in this sector. Based in Johannesburg, the Bank's agribusiness develops innovative products and services for African farmers, widening access to finance and contributing to food security. In 2011, the Bank renewed a partnership with the Zambian Government's Food Reserve Agency, providing a finance structure that benefits as many as 750,000 small-hold farmers. The structure creates an intermediary between farmers, millers and traders to ensure a more transparent market. The Bank also enabled the delivery of more than 45,000 tonnes of maize to Somalia and Kenya, by extending finance to the Export Trading Group, one of the largest suppliers to the World Food Programme.

Giving back to the community remains an important part of Standard Chartered's sustainability agenda. The Bank has helped nearly 19,000 adolescent girls gain confidence and learn the skills they need to make important life choices through its Goal programme. Through sport, girls learn how to work together and trust their instincts. The programme also teaches them about the importance of good hygiene as well as how to manage their money.

Since 2003, Standard Chartered has improved access to eye-care for more than 25 million people in deprived areas through Seeing is Believing, its programme to tackle avoidable blindness. In 2011, the Bank committed to raise USD100 million for Seeing is Believing by 2020.

Standard Chartered encourages its employees to get involved in community projects and offers staff three days paid leave to volunteer each year. Bank staff have responded positively, volunteering nearly 66,000 days last year, a 42 per cent increase from 2010.

Peter Sands, Group Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered, said: "Here for good, our brand promise is all about commitment - to our customers and clients, to our people and to the communities where we work. In 2011, in what continued to be a challenging and changeable global environment, we stood firm in our determination to create long term value for society as well as our shareholders."

To read the full 2011 Sustainability Review, go to: http://reports.standardchartered.com/sr2011/

Standard Chartered - leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East
Standard Chartered is a leading international banking group. It has operated for over 150 years in some of the world's most dynamic markets and earns more than 90 per cent of its 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. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges as well as the Bombay and National Stock Exchanges in India.

With 1,700 offices in 70 markets, the Group offers exciting and challenging international career opportunities for nearly 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. Standard Chartered's heritage and values are expressed in its brand promise, 'Here for good'.

For further information please contact:
Jennifer Storemski, External Communications Manager
+44 (0)20 7885 6346
Jennifer.Storemski@sc.com 

For further information please visit www.standardchartered.com. Follow Standard Chartered at www.facebook.com/standardchartered and on Twitter @StanChart.

© Press Release 2012