Incorporation in Hong Kong

Standard Chartered PLC
15 January 2004



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



      STANDARD CHARTERED PLANS TO INCORPORATE ITS HONG KONG BUSINESS



Standard Chartered PLC (the Group) today announces its intention to seek all
necessary approvals to incorporate its business in Hong Kong under a
wholly-owned subsidiary company.



The incorporation plan underpins the Group's strategy for Greater China. It
gives the Group an opportunity to further capitalise on the business
opportunities created as a result of the closer economic integration between
Hong Kong and mainland China.



'This is a signal of our confidence in Hong Kong and China,' said Bryan
Sanderson, Standard Chartered's Chairman. 'Hong Kong is our largest market and
Greater China is at the heart of our growth strategy.'



Standard Chartered has been committed to Hong Kong and China for nearly 150
years. Standard Chartered Bank opened its first branch in China in 1858 and is
the oldest foreign bank in the country. The Bank has operated in Hong Kong since
1859 and has been issuing Hong Kong banknotes since 1862. Standard Chartered PLC
listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 2002.







For further information contact:



Paul Marriage      Head of Media Relations           Tel:  [phone]

Caoimhe Buckley    Media Relations Manager           Tel:  [phone]

Lavina Chan        Senior Corporate Affairs Manager  Tel:    [phone]
                   HK, China & NE Asia

Gabriel Kwan       Corporate Affairs Manager         Tel:    [phone]
                   HK, China & NE Asia





Standard Chartered - leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East



Standard Chartered employs 30,000 people in over 500 locations in more than 50
countries in the Asia Pacific Region, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the
United Kingdom and the Americas. It is one of the world's most international
banks, with a management team comprising 70 nationalities.



Standard Chartered is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the Stock
Exchange of Hong Kong and is one of the top 25 FTSE-100 companies, by market
capitalisation.



It serves both Consumer and Wholesale Banking customers. Consumer Banking
provides credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, deposit taking and wealth
management services to individuals and small to medium sized enterprises.
Wholesale Banking provides corporate and institutional clients with services in
trade finance, cash management, lending, custody, foreign exchange, debt capital
markets and corporate finance.



Standard Chartered is well-established in growth markets and aims to be the
right partner for its customers. The Bank combines deep local knowledge with
global capability.



The Bank is trusted across its network for its standard of governance and its
commitment to making a difference in the communities in which it operates.








                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange