Standard Chartered appoints Australia CEO

Standard Chartered has appointed Jacob Berman as chief executive officer of its Australia branch.

With more than 20 years of international experience in corporate and investment banking, Berman joined Standard Chartered Singapore in 2012 and was reassigned to Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2014 as managing director, global banking.

In 2019, he was appointed head of client coverage, Japan, a position he held prior to his appointment as Australia CEO. Under his leadership, the Japan corporate, commercial and institutional banking business achieved record origination revenues and saw significant improvement in client and network engagement.

In his new role, Berman will oversee the bank’s operations in Australia and be responsible for strengthening its franchise further to serve corporate and institutional banking clients nationwide.

Rino Donosepoetro, appointed cluster CEO, Indonesia and Asean Markets (Australia, Brunei and the Philippines), says: “With our proud presence of over 60 years, Australia holds strategic importance for Standard Chartered. We see immense opportunities to expand our presence in Australia and we remain committed to invest resources and technology to enhance our footprint here.”

Donosepoetro says the franchise continues to make good progress on its strategic priorities of growing capital-light income and targeting opportunities in key industries and segments such as corporate real estate, infrastructure, metal and mining, renewable energy, and banks and investors.

In line with the group’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions in its own operations by 2025 and financing by 2050, the Australia franchise has also been focusing on assisting clients to transition through sustainable finance. In 2022, the bank was involved in a sustainable infrastructure development project by supporting the A$1.1 billion (US$719 million) redevelopment of the Frankston Hospital in Melbourne, which upon completion is set to achieve green building certifications.

In 2023 and 2024, Standard Chartered Australia was involved as a mandated lead arranger in projects to develop Victoria’s transition to renewable energy through two 200-megawatt battery energy storage systems, to support the state’s electricity grid.