Standard Chartered PLC — Share Issue/Capital Change 2006

Jan 12, 2006

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited takes no responsibility for the contents of this announcement, makes no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this announcement.

Standard Chartered PLC

(渣打集團有限公司)

(Registered in England and Wales number 966425)

(Stock Code: 2888)

Standard Chartered announces the completion of the acquisition of a 20% interest in Fleming Family & Partners Limited and the issue of 3,401,290 ordinary shares of Standard Chartered PLC

On 7 December 2005, Standard Chartered PLC ("Standard Chartered") announced that it had launched an offer to acquire 20% of Fleming Family & Partners Limited. Standard Chartered now announces the completion of that acquisition and the issue and allotment of 3,401,290 Standard Chartered ordinary shares of US$0.50 each (the "Shares") as the share element of the consideration. The number of Shares issued is based on the volume-weighted average price of Standard Chartered ordinary shares of US$0.50 each of £13.01431 (HK$178) on 10 and 11 January 2006. The balance of the consideration, being £0.7m (HK$9.5m), will be satisfied in cash.

The Shares being issued represent approximately 0.26% of Standard Chartered's issued share capital prior to completion of the acquisition and approximately 0.26% of Standard Chartered's issued share capital immediately after completion of the acquisition. The Shares are being issued under the general mandate granted to the Board of Directors at the annual general meeting of Standard Chartered on 5 May 2005.

Permission has been granted for admission of the Shares to listing on the UK Official List and to trading on the London Stock Exchange, and application has been made for permission for the listing of the Shares, and to deal in the Shares, on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Trading in the Shares is expected to commence on the London Stock Exchange on 12 January 2006 and on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on 13 January 2006.

By Order of the Board

Charles Bennett Brown

Group Company Secretary

12 January 2006

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As of the date hereof, the Board of Directors of Standard Chartered comprises:

Executive Directors – Mr. Bryan Kaye Sanderson, CBE; Mr. Evan Mervyn Davies, CBE; Mr. Michael Bernard DeNoma; Mr. Richard Henry Meddings; Mr. Kaikhushru Shiavax Nargolwala; Mr. Peter Alexander Sands; and

Independent Non-Executive Directors – Sir CK Chow; Mr. James Frederick Trevor Dundas; Ms. Valerie Frances Gooding, CBE; Mr. Ho KwonPing; Mr. Rudolph Harold Peter Markham; Ms. Ruth Markland; Mr. Hugh Edward Norton; Mr. Paul David Skinner; and Mr. Oliver Henry James Stocken.

Please also refer to the published version of this announcement in South China Morning Post.

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