Access Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc and a leading full-service commercial bank operating through a network of more than 600 branches and service outlets, spanning three continents, 18 markets, and 52 million customers.
Standard Chartered Bank and Access Bank Plc (Access) entered into agreements for the sale of Standard Chartered’s shareholding in its subsidiaries in Angola, Cameroon, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone, and its Consumer, Private & Business Banking business in Tanzania. This progress is a follow up from April 2022 when Standard Chartered strategically decided to divest from a number of markets, namely Lebanon, Angola, Cameroon, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and Jordan, and to exit the CPBB (Consumer Private and Business Banking) business in Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania.
In Tanzania, Standard Chartered shall exit Consumer, Private & Business Banking (“CPBB”) also known as retail banking operations to focus solely on its Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking (CCIB) business also commonly referred to as Corporate & Institutional Banking.
The announcement was made on Friday, 14th July 2023 at Standard Chartered’s Headquarters in London in the presence of senior representatives from both banks and was signed by, Sunil Kaushal, Regional CEO, Africa & Middle East, Standard Chartered and, Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc. The agreement with Access for the sale of the bank’s business in Sub-Saharan Africa is in line with Standard Chartered’s global strategy, aimed at achieving operational efficiencies, reducing complexity, and driving scale.
Access Bank will provide a full range of banking services and continuity for key stakeholders including employees and clients of Standard Chartered’s businesses across the five aforementioned countries. Access Bank and Standard Chartered will work closely together in the coming months to ensure a seamless transition, with the transaction expected to be completed over the next 12 months.
Commenting on the agreement, Herman Kasekende, CEO, Tanzania, Standard Chartered, said: “We have been present in Tanzania for over 106 years and we believe passionately in this country’s immediate and longer-term future. Under the agreement, Access Bank will only acquire the Consumer, Private & Business Banking (“CPBB”) business in Tanzania. Pending regulatory approvals and execution of the sale, we would like to assure our clients that all our products, services and banking channels will operate seamlessly. With our agreement with Access Bank, we strongly believe that we achieved a good outcome by finding the best home for our businesses - with the best interests for our employees. Following this announcement, Standard Chartered will continue its operations in Tanzania with a focus on the Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking (CCIB) business.”
Standard Chartered Bank will keep clients informed throughout the process appropriately. Access Bank has the scale, know-how and product range to provide a seamless transition and continuous high standard of service to our clients. Standard Chartered and Access will work closely to ensure smooth transition to our clients with minimal disruption.
“As we look into the future, we are excited about the continued growth and prosperity of Africa and remain committed to Tanzania. Our enhanced focus on supporting foreign direct investment, commercial entities and largescale catalytic infrastructure development is aimed at leveraging our global footprint through the group to connect international companies to activities in this market. This focus is also aimed at facilitating the growth of local businesses and assisting with the development of enabling infrastructure improving access to services for Tanzanians. We are committing resources to grow the franchise in Tanzania. As a systemically significant provider of financial services, we are committed to continue offering services to our stakeholders and communities and stand true to our brand promise to be Here for Good.” Herman added.
The Bank announced its sale of its business in Zimbabwe earlier in June and in Jordan in March this year. With this recent announcement, Standard Chartered has substantially completed the divestment process from the markets announced in April 2022, except Côte d’Ivoire where it remains actively engaged in discussions with potential buyers for the sale of its CPBB business in the country.
For further information please contact:
Mariam Sezinga
Manager,
Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing Standard Chartered
Phone: +255 746 996 740
E-mail: Mariam.Sezinga@sc.com
About Standard Chartered
We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 57 of the world’s most dynamic markets and serving clients in a further 64. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.
Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges.
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