Acquisition

Standard Chartered PLC
31 October 2000


STANDARD CHARTERED COMPLETES US$1.3 BILLION ACQUISITION OF CHASE HONG KONG
CONSUMER BANKING OPERATIONS

Standard Chartered PLC announced today (31st October 2000) the completion of
the US$1.32 billion acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Chase
Manhattan Card Company Limited ('Manhattan Card') and Hong Kong based retail
banking business of the Chase Manhattan Bank.

Rana Talwar, Group Chief Executive, commented:

'This deal makes Standard Chartered the clear market leader in Hong Kong Cards
and further strengthens our retail presence.  The move is a demonstration of
Standard Chartered's belief in the future of Hong Kong.

The acquisition also gives us the rights to the Manhattan brand with its
powerful focus on Hong Kong's young professional market.'


For further information please contact:

Pamela McGann     Group Head External Affairs       [phone]
Tim Halford       Director of Corporate Affairs     [phone]
Steve Seagrove    Group Investor Relations Manager  [phone]

www.standardchartered.com


Note to Editors:

Standard Chartered - the world's leading emerging markets bank

Standard Chartered is a London based, international bank focused on the
emerging markets of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.  It has
significant operations in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, India,
Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and in sub-Saharan Africa.  Key businesses
are Consumer Banking, primarily credit cards, mortgages, personal loans and
wealth management, and Wholesale Banking, where the Bank specialises in the
provision of cash management, trade finance, treasury and custody services. 
The Group has a network of over 740 offices in more than 55 countries and
assets of approximately US$90 billion.  With a presence in Asia and Africa
that goes back nearly 150 years, Standard Chartered has an in-depth
understanding of, and a long term commitment to, the emerging markets.