StanChart

Continued from page 9 Standard Chartered has continued to provide support for its customers and corporate clients, both during and after the financial crisis, with total lending up over US$90bn, up 60%, billion from the start of the crisis in mid-2007. SME lending climbed by 32 per cent, or just under US$4.3 billion during 2010, on top of a 14 per cent increase in 2009. We continued to support potential homeowners in our markets, with mortgage lending up by 23 per cent. Peter Sands, Group Chief Executive, Standard Chartered said: "This has been a strong year for the Group, with good growth in volumes as we take market share from our competitors. We have continued our planned investment in the businesses to position us well for the long-term opportunities across our markets, whilst delivering our eighth year of record profit and income. We continue to see strong momentum in both businesses, and the Group has a seen a record start to 2011."