Additional holding in Permata

Standard Chartered PLC
05 September 2006


 STANDARD CHARTERED and PT ASTRA INTERNATIONAL Tbk ACQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL 25.90%
                             OF PT BANK PERMATA Tbk


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Standard Chartered PLC announces that the consortium of Standard Chartered Bank
('Standard Chartered') and PT Astra International Tbk ('Astra') (the 
'Consortium') has agreed to acquire from the Indonesian Government's state-owned 
asset management company, PT Perusahaan Pengelola Aset, a further interest of 
25.90 per cent in PT Bank Permata Tbk ('Bank Permata').

The Consortium will pay a cash consideration of Indonesian Rupiah 1.75 trillion
(approximately US$193 million at the current exchange rate).  Standard Chartered
will pay a cash consideration of Indonesian Rupiah 877 billion (approximately
US$96 million at the current exchange rate) for its 50 per cent share of the
additional 25.90 per cent of Bank Permata being purchased.

The acquisition will increase the interest of the Consortium in Bank Permata
from 63.11 per cent to 89.01 per cent with each of Standard Chartered and Astra
holding 44.50 per cent of Bank Permata.

Bank Permata is one of the largest banks in Indonesia by branches and assets. It
has 310 branches, 1 million customers and assets of US$3.9 billion. Standard
Chartered remains committed to developing and growing its business in this
highly attractive market.


For further information, contact:

Stephen Atkinson, Head of Investor Relations
Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]

Ruth Naderer, Head of Investor Relations, Asia Pacific
Tel : [phone]
[e-mail]

Matthew Chan, Manager, Media Relations
Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]



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