Standard Chartered Straight2Bank Electronic Trading Platform Wins Global Awards
Standard Chartered has been named the best corporate or institutional internet bank in 15 countries worldwide by Global Finance, a renowned international financial services magazine. The Bank received the top accolade for its new, fully integrated, end-to-end electronic platform ‘Straight2Bank’, which was launched in May this year. Countries in which the Bank was named top corporate/institutional internet bank include Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Pakistan and Hong Kong.
Other awards won by the Bank were for: Best Regional Web Site design, Best Regional Trade Finance Services, Best Regional Corporate Internet Bank and Best Regional Integrated Corporate Bank Site.
The Best Regional Web Site Design accolade was awarded to Standard Chartered for the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia regions; Best Regional Trade Finance Services for the Middle East, Africa, Asia, North America and Europe regions. Best Corporate/Institutional Internet Bank 2007 was presented for its performance in Bahrain, Bangladesh, Botswana, Ghana, Hong Kong, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe; the Best Regional Corporate Internet Bank was for Asia, North America and European markets; and Best Regional Integrated Corporate Bank Site applied to North America.
Karen Fawcett, Group Head of Transaction Banking said: “The awards are a fitting recognition that ‘Straight2Bank’ offers all our clients leading edge working capital solutions across all products and geographies. We designed the platform in response to the increasing client need for greater integration between transaction banking and foreign exchange risk management and to reflect our strong commitment to eCommerce.”
‘Straight2Bank’ provides Cash, Trade, Foreign Exchange (FX) and Securities Services via a single sign-on access. The enhanced platform provides clients with streamlined processing of transactions, resulting in significant operating efficiencies and cost savings.
Azeem ur Rahim, Regional head of Transaction Banking, Middle East, Pakistan and North Africa said: “’Straight2Bank’ is a natural evolution as part of our go-to client strategy which places our clients’ needs at the centre. We have therefore integrated our electronic channels and also introduced newer functionalities to match our clients evolving needs.”
“'Straight2Bank' represents our strategic focus on working capital and is our response to where we had already anticipated the market would move - towards open account financing. It therefore ensures that we are well positioned to support those changing needs. With improved comprehensive security across the channels, a more flexible authorisation matrix and twenty four hour access, the power of control is firmly in the clients' hands.”
