The biggest project of video banking services launched by any international bank: 5 mil. clients in nine markets

Standard Chartered Bank said it is bringing the convenience of video banking to more than five million clients in nine markets across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, the biggest roll-out of its kind by any international bank, according to the company’s press release. Already live in Malaysia and Singapore, video banking will launch in Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Taiwan, Kenya and the UAE by the end of 2016.

With video banking, clients can speak with banking consultants over a secure video connection from a location of their choice – all they need is a laptop. This new sales and service channel allows clients to do almost anything they can do in a branch, from signing up for a new card to finding a mortgage to suit their needs.

In selected markets, Priority Banking clients can use video banking to consult “face-to-face” with investment advisors to explore new wealth management opportunities.

Karen Fawcett, Standard Chartered Bank’s CEO for Retail Banking, said: “Video banking is about giving our clients more choice and more convenience. Now you don’t have to come in to a branch to talk to somebody face-to-face.” She added: “We are investing in technology that makes banking secure, simple and personal for our clients.”

In addition to video, Standard Chartered’s retail banking clients – and prospective clients – will also be able to connect with banking consultants through web chat and audio links on the Bank’s website.

The Bank last year announced it will invest $1.5bn in technology over three years. Earlier this year, the Bank launched its digital “bank on an iPad” sales-and-service tool in eight new markets (Singapore, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Bangladesh, the UAE, Kenya and Nigeria); Retail Workbench lets clients open an account in any location and makes banking services like loan approvals and credit card issuance fast, simple and completely paperless. The Bank has also just rolled out a new mobile and online banking platform to eight markets in Africa, bringing cutting-edge digital channels to 1 million clients in the region.

Standard Chartered Bank’s retail banking business serves the banking needs of nearly 10 million individual and business clients across more than 30 markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, through cutting-edge digital channels, more than 1,000 branches and 5,000 ATMs.