Standard Chartered Private Bank launches ESG Select to strengthen fund selection process

Singapore – Standard Chartered Private Bank has launched “ESG Select” to better identify and curate wealth solutions for clients. The Bank will apply this new review process on all wealth solutions that seek to be positioned as a sustainable or environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) product on the Standard Chartered platform.

Sustainable investing is becoming a mainstream consideration for many investors and ESG products are increasingly accessible in this nascent space. It is timely and critical that ESG products are properly evaluated to manage the potential negative impact of ESG risks and, at the same time, spot opportunities to drive positive impact.

Our methodology behind ESG Select* is tailored to each asset class, with funds and discretionary portfolio solutions following a similar assessment process, while bonds and structured products are separately assessed on different sets of criteria. The underlying premise is to benchmark against established frameworks that are aligned to Standard Chartered’s positions and to ensure that an ongoing monitoring and review are in place. The entire process is well-supported by various stakeholder groups within the bank, allowing for the most relevant input and expert advice.

Standard Chartered began incorporating ESG scores into our Wealth Management investment advisory trade notes for equities and fixed income since Q3 2019. Launching ESG Select adds to the rigour of our sustainable investing proposition, allowing our clients to factor ESG considerations into their investment decisions.

Eugenia Koh, Head, Sustainable Investing and Strategic Engagement at Standard Chartered Private Bank said: “We have seen increased interest from many of our high-net-worth clients to include a sustainable element in their investment portfolio. Our open architecture approach, which is product agnostic, coupled with our Impact Philosophy allow our bankers to recommend ESG products that address clients’ impact needs. Launching ESG Select will help us address green washing concerns and we are confident that our clients will benefit from a more rigorous and systematic investment decision journey.”

*ESG Select also applies to ESG funds, which Standard Chartered Bank offers via our Wealth Management suite of products to our Retail Banking clients.

For further information please contact:

Valerie Tay
Private Banking and Wealth Management Communications
Standard Chartered
+65 6596 9284

Note to Editors

Standard Chartered Private Bank

Standard Chartered Private Bank provides private banking services to clients across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe, through onshore booking centres in Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, India, London, and Jersey. We also offer global Trust and Fiduciary capabilities through our Singapore centre.
Our aspiration to be the private bank of choice among generations of entrepreneurs is built on Standard Chartered’s inherent strengths: a heritage of some 160 years in international banking, a presence in 60 of the world’s most dynamic markets, and a strong understanding of growth markets. Through our global team of around 1000 employees, our relationship managers, investment advisors and product specialists have a deep understanding of our footprint markets and client needs, enabling them to connect our clients to an extensive range of wealth opportunities across our network.
For more information, please visit: https://www.sc.com/en/banking/banking-for-individuals/private-banking/

General Disclaimer

Standard Chartered PLC, the ultimate parent company of Standard Chartered Bank, together with its other branches and subsidiaries form the Standard Chartered Group. Standard Chartered Private Bank is the private banking division of Standard Chartered. Private banking activities may be carried out internationally by different legal entities and affiliates within the Standard Chartered Group (each, an “SC Group Entity”) according to local regulatory requirements. Not all products and services are provided by all branches, subsidiaries and affiliates within the Standard Chartered Group. Some of the SC Group Entities only act as representatives of the Standard Chartered Private Bank, and may not be able to offer products and services, or offer advice to clients. They serve as points of contact only.

In Singapore, Standard Chartered Private Bank is the private banking division of Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Limited, (Registration No. 201224747C) (GST Group Registration No. MR-8500053-0).

In Hong Kong, Standard Chartered Private Bank is the private banking division of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (“SCBHK”), a subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC. SCBHK has its registered address at 32/F, Standard Chartered Bank Building, 4-4A Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong and is regulated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and registered with the Securities and Futures Commission to carry on Type 1 (dealing in securities), Type 4 (advising on securities), Type 6 (advising on corporate finance) and Type 9 (asset management) regulated activity under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) (CE No. AJI614).

In Jersey, Standard Chartered Private Bank is the Registered Business Name of the Jersey Branch of Standard Chartered Bank. Standard Chartered Bank, Jersey Branch is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission. The principal place of business of the Jersey Branch of Standard Chartered Bank is: 15 Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PT.

Standard Chartered Bank is incorporated in England with limited liability by Royal Charter 1853 Reference Number ZC18. The Principal Office of the Company is situated in England at 1 Basinghall Avenue, London, EC2V 5DD. Standard Chartered Bank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. The Jersey Branch of Standard Chartered Bank is also an authorised financial services provider under license number 44946 issued by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority of the Republic of South Africa.

In the United Kingdom, Standard Chartered Bank (trading as Standard Chartered Private Bank) is an authorised financial services provider (licence number 45747) in terms of the South African Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002.

Standard Chartered Bank is incorporated in England with limited liability by Royal Charter 1853 Reference Number ZC18. The Principal Office of the Company is situated in England at 1 Basinghall Avenue, London, EC2V 5DD. Standard Chartered Bank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority.

Standard Chartered Bank, Dubai International Financial Centre having its offices at Dubai International Financial Centre, Building 1, Gate Precinct, P.O. Box 999, Dubai, UAE is a branch of Standard Chartered Bank and is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This document is intended for use only by Professional Clients and is not directed at Retail Clients as defined by the DFSA Rulebook. In the DIFC we are authorised to provide financial services only to clients who qualify as Professional Clients and Market Counterparties and not to Retail Clients. As a Professional Client you will not be given the higher retail client protection and compensation rights and if you use your right to be classified as a Retail Client we will be unable to provide financial services and products to you as we do not hold the required license to undertake such activities.

For Islamic transactions, we are acting under the supervision of our Shariah Supervisory Committee. Relevant information on our Shariah Supervisory Committee is currently available on the Standard Chartered Bank website in the Islamic banking section at: https://www.sc.com/en/banking/islamic-banking/