Standard Chartered Names Australia CEO

London-headquartered Standard Chartered has announced the appointment of a CEO for its Australia branch.

Jacob Berman has been appointed as CEO of Standard Chartered Australia, according to a statement. In the role, he will oversee operations in Australia and be responsible for strengthening its franchise to service corporate and institutional banking clients in the country.

Beman has over 20 years of international banking experience, most recently as Standard Chartered’s head of client coverage, Japan. He first joined the British lender in 2012 in Singapore before being reassigned to Dubai to become managing director, global banking. Previously, he also worked at Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley.

Strategic Priorities

According to Standard Chartered, it is making «good progress» on its strategic priorities in Australia of growing capital-light income and targeting opportunities in key industries or segments such as corporate real estate, infrastructure, metal and mining, renewable energy as well as banks and investors.

The bank has also been actively involved in sustainable finance within the country. This includes support for a A$1.1 billion  ($719 million) deal for the redevelopment of the Frankston Hospital in Melbourne, which is set to achieve green building certifications upon completion. It was also a mandated lead arranger in projects to develop Victoria’s transition to renewable energy.

Six-Decade History

Standard Chartered has more than 60 years of presence in Australia after first entering in 1964. According to Rino Donosepoetro, income cluster CEO for Indonesia and ASEAN markets (Australia, Brunei and the Philippines), the Oceanic nation holds strategic importance to the bank and it remains committed to investing resources and technology in the market.

«Jacob brings with him over 20 years of international banking experience and we are confident that he possesses the leadership qualities and experience needed to elevate this franchise to greater heights in Australia,» Donosepoetro commented.