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Asset Safety stands out with a perfect score of 7.00- the highest rating in the market- followed by Client Service and Relationship Management at 6.60.

The market beats the global average score across all categories – with Asset Safety leading the way, scoring 119 basis points above the benchmark.

Even Pricing, traditionally the lowest scoring category across Global Custodian’ s agent bank surveys, is rated as Good – sitting 21 basis points above the global average.

From a client perspective, Asset Safety ranks as the top priority, reinforcing the significance of its perfect score. However, other factors also carry weight in decision-making. Asset Servicing( 6.20) and Pricing( 5.00) emerge as equally important considerations, with respondents emphasising the need for flexibility in pricing structures.

Standard Chartered Bank Standard Chartered Bank( SCB) continues

Asset Safety leads the rankings with a score of 5.00, although Account Management, Asset Servicing, and Client Service and Relationship Management sit in joint second place with a score of 4.86. Notably, Client Service and Relationship Management registers the largest difference from the global average – sitting 110 basis points below.

When it comes to client preferences, Client Service and Relationship Management ranks as the most critical factor in considering a provider, followed by Pricing( 4.00).

Technology, also rated at 4.00, is considered to be reliable by clients, however feedback for this category varies – with ABSA clients highlighting the firm’ s“ excellent technology assistance and automation”, while a comment received for an alternate provider suggests a“ need to improve manual processes to reach a

Asset Safety 7.00- 5.81 1.19 7.00 Asset Servicing 6.20- 5.75 0.45 6.50 Cash Management and FX 6.00- 5.46 0.54 6.00 Client Service and Relationship Management 6.60- 5.96 0.64 6.50 Pricing 5.00- 4.79 0.21 5.25 Technology 5.60- 5.08 0.52 5.50 Average 6.09- 5.51 0.57 6.14

to set the benchmark in our frontier markets survey, with over half of respondents rating its service as Outstanding. One client highlighted SCB’ s deep market knowledge and adaptability, noting that the bank“ understands both the local markets and, even more importantly, the specific nature of requirements of clients. Their flexible approach to day-to-day business is what differentiates them from competition”.

Across the board, the custodian outperforms the global average. Asset Safety and Risk Management scores highest with a perfect 7.00, beating the average score by 119 basis points, while Asset Servicing( 6.50) also

more technological age and enhance straightthrough processing in Botswana and Kenya”.

Standard Chartered Bank With an overall average score of 4.75, Standard Chartered Bank sits within the Satisfactory range. More than half of the categories score as Good.

Client Service and Relationship Management( 5.25) received the highest score, with performs strongly, sitting 75 basis points above the average.

Client Service and Relationship Management( 6.50) also sits comfortably at Very Good, with SCB’ s client service team praised by a client for being“ extremely helpful and with the right understanding of the region they show a lot of flexibility- something that makes them stand apart”.

The bank’ s strong client focus is further reflected in its high recommendation rate, with more than three-quarters of those surveyed indicating that they would recommend SCB to industry peers.

Asset Safety 5.00- 5.81-0.81 5.00 Asset Servicing 4.86- 5.75-0.90 5.00 Cash Management and FX 4.57- 5.46-0.89 5.00 Client Service and Relationship Management 4.86- 5.96-1.10 5.25 Pricing 4.00- 4.79-0.79 4.00 Technology 4.00- 5.08-1.08 4.00 Average 4.59- 5.51-0.92 4.75

clients praising SCB for its“ excellent service, with a great team”

While only Pricing and Technology have been rated as Satisfactory, both categories are considered adequate by our respondents, with no concerns or suggested improvements flagged within the comments.

Overall, Standard Chartered Bank is regarded as one of the“ top sub-custodians” by our respondents.

54 Global Custodian Spring 2025