Standard Chartered Rolls Out Integrated Custody Platform Across Africa

Standard Chartered has completed the roll out of its integrated custody platform across its network of 18 markets in Africa.

With the platform in place, the Bank now operates a single custody platform across 32 of its 40 footprint markets in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

The real-time platform is intended to provide the banks’ clients with an enhanced, consistent experience throughout the securities settlement lifecycle across all markets.

It also offers features tailored to client preferences, such as consolidated reporting and delivery via a SWIFT-compliant format or automated faxes and emails. Its sophisticated transaction life cycle management module is designed to validate and auto-enrich client instructions, improving straight-through-processing rates and downstream operational efficiency.

Alan Naughton, head of Securities Services and Corporate Agency & Trust, Transaction Banking, Standard Chartered, comments: “Coupled with our award-winning corporate actions platform launched last year, our core custody engine provides a scalable, real-time and straight-through infrastructure to support our clients as they continue to increase their investments in Africa and other emerging markets across our footprint. By delivering sophisticated capabilities and deploying global best practices, we empower our clients to manage their operational risks, optimise their post trade efficiency and simplify their access to complex markets through flexible servicing models.”

Margaret Harwood-Jones, managing director and head, Investors and Intermediaries, Transaction Banking, Standard Chartered, adds, “Offering a standardized operating model ensures that we provide a consistent experience for our clients across these markets, insulating them from variable local market practices, and lowering their barriers to market entrance as they expand internationally.”