Standard Chartered Bank Hong Kong

Outstanding Enterprises

2

STANDARD CHARTERED: HERE FOR GOOD

Standard Chartered Bank has continued to innovate in expanding its capabilities to help clients, employees and the community undergo change. These areas of transition include working towards net zero targets, moving to a post-pandemic world and building a digital future. Through sustainable finance solutions, relief measures and a growing number of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the bank has engaged with stakeholders and the wider community to overcome challenges together.

For its work, Standard Chartered was honoured for the fifth consecutive year as the ‘Bank of the Year’ in the High Flyers Awards 2022. Presented by Hong Kong Business, this annual award recognises businesses that exemplify innovation, quality of service, and a strong commitment to social progress.

Towards a sustainable future

Standard Chartered Group is in the process of mobilising US$300b in green and transition finance globally by 2030 to help clients across different sectors achieve their green ambitions. In 2022, the bank has participated in a number of significant sustainable financing projects in Hong Kong, including the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority’s first sustainability-linked loan. Meanwhile, the bank has also contributed remarkably to the development of the voluntary carbon market in Hong Kong, participating in the first batch of carbon credit transactions on Core Climate – an international voluntary carbon marketplace launched by the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited.

“Standard Chartered Hong Kong is fully dedicated to promoting sustainability in the market and sustainable finance is a strategic priority of the bank. We are helping our clients transition to net zero through our dedicated sustainable finance teams alongside a wide range of innovative solutions and product suites,” said Mary Huen, CEO, Hong Kong at Standard Chartered.

The bank has launched various sustainable finance solutions such as Sustainable Bonds and Private Placements, Sustainable Loans and Deposits, ESG-linked Derivatives, Sustainable Trade Finance, and Green and Sustainable Mortgages to meet the needs of retail, corporate and institutional clients. Standard Chartered is committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions in its operations by 2025.

Servicing the local community

To lift the community spirit and support clients as they begin to move into a post-pandemic era, the bank has brought back long-running community events, conducted philanthropy for local causes and offered a new round of relief measures. The bank also lined up a variety of physical and virtual community activities that benefitted hundreds of thousands of individuals with the help of more than 3,400 staff volunteers. As CEO, Huen volunteered for community service events throughout the year, while local staff members volunteered a combined 3,700 days in 2022.

PHILOSOPHY

Standard Chartered Bank is committed to promoting economic and social development in the markets they serve, doing so sustainably and equitably in line with their purpose and three valued behaviours: ‘Never settle’, ‘Better together’ and ‘Do the right thing.

FAST FACTS

• Standard Chartered is a leading international banking group, with a presence in 59 of the world’s most dynamic markets and serving clients in a further 83 • The history of Standard Chartered in Hong Kong dates back to 1859. It is currently one of the Hong Kong

SAR’s three note-issuing banks • The bank provides a wide range of banking services to retail and corporate clients, and has over 70 branches and over 180 ATMs across

Hong Kong • Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges

This page: Standard Chartered completes first voluntary carbon credit transactions on HKEX’s Core Climate, Arts in the Park, Standard Chartered Marathon

Opposite page: Mary Huen, CEO, Hong Kong | Chairman, Mox | Group Management Team, Standard Chartered Bank

“We aim to give back to the community, not only through our landmark events such as the Hong Kong Marathon and Arts in the Park but also through championing local causes,” said Huen. “Our brand promise, ‘Here for good’ captures our commitment to always try to do the right thing, take a long-term view, and support our clients and the communities where we operate,” she added.

With the aim of promoting a healthy lifestyle and bringing positivity to the community, the bank brought back the annual Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. The bank has been a title sponsor of the marathon since 1997, and its return in 2021 marked the first large scale participatory sporting event in the city since the start of the pandemic. 16,000 runners attended the marathon, half marathon and 10 km races. A virtual run was also introduced for the first time, with over 4,000 runners around the world taking part.

Sports is not the only area in which the bank is supporting the community, providing the youth with exposure and opportunities in arts and culture is also important. Standard Chartered Arts in the Park is an annual education programme and festival that aims to enhance selfconfidence and important life skills amongst the youth through the arts. In 2022, 8,000 local artists and students as well as over 2,000 Standard Chartered employees participated in the programme, which culminated in a festival that attracted over 30,000 visitors. On the philanthropic side, a number of community organisations impacted by the pandemic have benefitted from the bank’s donations in 2021 and 2022. A donation of HKD$10m was made to the Hong Kong Council of Social Service to support about 300 unemployed women in delivering anti-epidemic kits to 10,000 homebound families. Another donation of HKD$15m was provided to launch a three-year programme “Futuremaker’s First Job” in partnership with St. James’ Settlement to enhance recent graduates’ employability.

Investing in talent development for a Digital Future

“People are the key drivers of success and that’s why any transition to a digital future needs to be accompanied by support from the bank for our employees,” said Huen. “We believe in our people and their potential, and we as a bank are adapting to ensure they have the flexibility, tools and opportunities they need to develop their skills,” she added.

An example of the investment the bank makes in fostering talents is the launch of the HKU-SCF FinTech Academy, which was co-created with The University of Hong Kong in 2020 with HKD60m in funding from SCHK 150th Anniversary Community Foundation.

In terms of flexibility, Standard Chartered was amongst the first in the industry to introduce permanent flexible work arrangements. More than 80% of eligible employees have benefited from this programme and are working from home at least one day per week. Aside from the hybrid work, the company has also introduced benefit policy changes, well-being tools and apps, and intervention services.