Employee Stories

Mengdi Liu

Never stop learning and growing

Tell us about your career journey so far?

I joined the Bank initially as a graduate after finishing my Master double degree studies with Mannheim Business School and ESSEC. I was the first graduate hire of the year. The programme was tailor made for graduates to acquire background and knowledge into banking from day one and luckily, I was also guided closely by my mentor during the programme.

After the first month of training, I started my rotation with different front office functions including Coverage, Credit analyst, Sales and trading, and Loan syndicate. After having successfully completed the rotation, I was invited by my current team to take the role permanently.

Previously I had banking experience with a few international banks via internships during my studies, which greatly helped me to integrate and grow quickly within Standard Chartered.

What’s the best career advice you’ve ever been given?

Never stop learning and growing as a professional and as a person.

What drew you to a career in banking?

The fact that the financial market is constantly changing which is stimulating and allows you to keep up to date with what is happening in the world and the fact that banking can create a big impact from many angles.

What makes working at Standard Chartered unique?

Standard Chartered has a unique footprint in emerging markets and through our unique product and services offering we have great advantages in those markets and subsequently create great impact in those markets.

Give us an example of how you live by Standard Charterer’s values – doing the right thing, better together and never settle?

I live by the Bank’s values daily. For example, last year we successfully closed a transaction – EUR1.29 billion ECA-backed financing to develop a solar infrastructure project in rural Angola; Standard Chartered acted as the ECA coordinator and structuring bank, sole bookrunner and mandated lead arranger fort his deal. Together with our investors and clients, we contribute to the great efforts for the Angolan government to increase the national electrification rate to 60% by 2025. Local people will be able to benefit from the project to have electricity access through renewables. This is the right thing to do, and we are certainly aligned to be better together and thrive to be one of the most sustainable Bank in the word.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I love exploring new places and cultures via travel and I have been to 20+ countries since I came to Europe. I also enjoy reading, doing yoga and have an active social life.

Is there anything people don’t know about you?

I have obtained an Engineering in Environmental science bachelors degree.

Are there any skills you’re trying to learn?

I’m working on my language skills: German, French and Spanish.