Standard Chartered PLC — M&A Activity 2008

Dec 29, 2008

Standard Chartered

STANDARD CHARTERED PLC

(渣打集團有限公司)

(Registered in England and Wales number 966425)

(Stock Code: 02888)

(the "Company")

29 December 2008

Standard Chartered completes acquisition of Asia Trust in Taiwan

Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan) Limited completed the acquisition of the "good bank" portion of Asia Trust and Investment Corporation ("Asia Trust") on 27 December. The acquisition was announced on 7 October 2008.

The amalgamation of certain assets and liabilities of Asia Trust increases Standard Chartered Group's island-wide presence from 88 branches to 95 across Taiwan, whilst strengthening the Bank's presence in the Greater Taipei market.

As at the date of this announcement, the Board of Directors of the Company comprises:

Chairman:
Mr Evan Mervyn Davies, CBE

Executive Directors:
Mr Peter Alexander Sands; Mr Stefano Paolo Bertamini; Mr Gareth Richard Bullock and Mr Richard Henry Meddings;

Independent Non-Executive Directors:
Mr John Wilfred Peace (Deputy Chairman); Mr James Frederick Trevor Dundas; Ms Valerie Frances Gooding, CBE; Mr Rudolph Harold Peter Markham; Ms Ruth Markland; Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal; Mr John Gregor Hugh Paynter; Mr Paul David Skinner and Mr Oliver Henry James Stocken.

For further details please contact:

Piotr Zajac, Senior Investor Relations Manager
Tel: +44 20 7885 6454
Piotr.A.Zajac@standardchartered.com

Arijit De, Head of Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7885 7163
Arijit.De@standardchartered.com

Notes to Editors

Standard Chartered - leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East

Standard Chartered PLC, listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, ranks among the top 25 companies in the FTSE-100 by market capitalisation. The London-headquartered group has operated for over 150

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years in some of the world's most dynamic markets, leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its income and the number of employees have more than doubled over the last five years primarily as a result of organic growth and supplemented by acquisitions

Standard Chartered aspires to be the best international bank for its customers across its markets. The Bank derives more than 90 per cent of its operating income and profits from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, generated from its Wholesale and Consumer Banking businesses. The Group has around 1,750 branches and outlets located in over 70 countries. The extraordinary growth of its markets and businesses creates exciting and challenging international career opportunities.

Leading by example to be the right partner for its stakeholders, the Group 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. It employs 75,000 people, nearly half of whom are women. The Group's employees are of 115 nationalities, of which 60 are represented among senior management.

For more information, please visit: www.standardchartered.com.