Could you briefly introduce your organization and its international history?
Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore is part of an international banking group present in 54 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity – a promise captured in our brand: here for good.
The Bank has been present in Singapore for 167 years, since opening our first branch in 1859. In October 1999, we were among the first international banks to receive a Qualifying Full Bank licence, an endorsement of our longstanding commitment to the country. In August 2020, we became the first and only bank to be awarded the “Significantly Rooted Foreign Bank” status by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
In September 2022, we launched Trust Bank, our digital banking venture in Singapore, in partnership with FairPrice Group. In just over two years, Trust Bank has become one of the world’s fastest-growing digital banks, expanding to over one million customers – equivalent to around 20% of the Singapore market.
On the SME side, Standard Chartered SME Banking partners with small and medium-sized enterprises at every stage of their growth, providing tailored financial solutions across cash management, trade and working capital, as well as protection and insurance.
What have been the key milestones in your international development?
Our SME Banking segment acts as a critical bridge between our Corporate & Investment Banking and Wealth & Retail Banking businesses. We work closely with our trade and cash teams to support SMEs in managing their day-to-day operations. As clients grow, they can transition seamlessly into our corporate banking franchise – the same bank, with minimal disruption. And as businesses scale, owners’ personal wealth needs evolve too: we are well placed to support these through our wealth management, succession planning and offshore banking solutions.
In 2023, we launched the Standard Chartered Women’s International Network (SC WIN), a global program dedicated to supporting women-led SMEs with access to financing, expertise and international peer networks. Since its launch, SC WIN has extended over US$540 million in financing to women-owned businesses across our global network.
Digitalization is also central to our SME proposition. We have strengthened host-to-host connectivity, enhanced know-your-customer processes and upgraded our cash management platforms to help SMEs enter new markets more efficiently.
Partnerships such as Altios further support clients in navigating regulatory and operational complexity and smoothing their cross-border expansion journey.
Which client success are you most proud of?
One of the examples we are most proud of is Total Facility Engineering (TFE), an engineering solutions provider and semiconductor specialist founded in Singapore in 2013, with around 170 employees across Asia. TFE decided to expand into India to meet growing demand in the country’s emerging advanced manufacturing sector.
A three-way partnership between Standard Chartered, Altios and TFE was created to empower the company with the resources, tools and insights necessary to enter the Indian market with confidence. TFE’s Indian branch bank accounts were set up in just one month, while the company was recognized as a legal entity in India within two months. It is a concrete illustration of what the one-bank approach, combined with on-the-ground local expertise, can deliver.
More broadly, we have worked with SMEs that faced significant challenges entering new markets. For example, a client based in Singapore increased their revenue by 20% within a year after expanding their manufacturing operations in Malaysia by leveraging our cross-border banking solutions.
Which markets are most strategic for your SME activity?
Hong Kong, India and Singapore are our top three markets for SME Banking – where we see the strongest and most sustainable growth opportunities. We focus on markets that are deeply connected through trade, investment and capital flows, and where our international footprint gives us a clear competitive advantage.
Our global network is one of our key differentiators, enabling us to act as a one-stop banking partner across corridors, supported by deep local heritage and on-the-ground market knowledge. We support clients across the full range of products: cross-border payments, foreign exchange, international trade, investment and wealth flows. Partnerships such as with[VC1] Altios further strengthen this proposition, bringing end-to-end cross-border advisory and operational expertise to complement our banking capabilities.
What major changes will SMEs need to integrate to adapt to the new international landscape?
The new international landscape is being shaped by more dynamic and evolving trade corridors, increased geopolitical uncertainty, and heightened volatility across supply chains and capital flows. SMEs and mid-market clients will need to integrate several major changes.
First, they will need to become more diversified and agile in how they trade across borders. Businesses can no longer rely on a single market or supply chain. They will need to diversify sourcing, production and export destinations – to mitigate disruption from tariffs, geopolitical developments and supply-chain shocks, while positioning themselves to capture new growth opportunities.
Second, stronger cash-flow management and currency risk mitigation will be critical. Greater cross-border activity naturally brings increased exposure to foreign exchange volatility and settlement risk. SMEs will need to integrate more structured cross-border payments, FX solutions and liquidity management into their operating models.
What model of internationalization should be favored going forward?
SMEs will need to operate more seamlessly across markets by combining deep local insight with global connectivity. As businesses scale internationally, complexity increases – managing multiple accounts, navigating local regulations, dealing with longer settlement cycles. Integrated international trade and transaction solutions help SMEs manage these challenges more efficiently, reduce friction and stay focused on growth rather than administrative burden.
It is therefore critical for SMEs to work with banking partners that combine strong international networks with deep local expertise – supported by relationship managers who understand both global corridors and domestic market conditions. Partners such as Altios complement this offering, bringing on-the-ground advisory and operational expertise across key markets.
Three pieces of advice for a mid-market executive looking to accelerate internationally?
First, focus on the right markets. Successful internationalization starts with disciplined market selection. We recommend prioritizing two or three markets where the business has a clear right to win – based on existing customer demand, competitive positioning, and ease of doing business. Mid-sized companies tend to win faster in markets where they can localize quickly and differentiate.
Second, build a scalable market entry playbook. Rather than approaching each new market from scratch, leading mid-sized companies should develop a repeatable entry model – defining the preferred go-to-market approach, pricing and localization strategy, and operational setup. Once proven, this playbook becomes a scalable engine enabling faster, lower-risk expansion into subsequent markets.
Third, strengthen financial and risk infrastructure. International growth brings increased complexity: longer trade cycles, foreign exchange exposure and varying regulatory requirements. Establishing the right financial and risk management framework early is critical – including adequate trade finance and working capital structures, active FX and cross-border liquidity management, and robust compliance across jurisdictions.
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