The event was held in Bahrain and was attended by senior finance, treasury and technology representatives of the Bank’s clients representing a mix of segments including Local Corporate, Global Corporates and Institutions and Intermediaries.
As part of our Thought Leadership Program, it had industry experts from the Bank and guest speakers presenting on specific topics including Open Account Transaction Management, Cash Collections and Account Receivables Reconciliation, Standard Chartered Technology Capabilities, SWIFTnet and Liquidity Management. This was followed by a Panel Discussion with the audience and the Panel Members debating a variety of topics including ‘Security & Control’; ‘Working Capital and Treasury Management’; ‘Process Optimization’; ‘Balancing Risk’ and the ‘Implementation Journey’.
The Client Event addressing a key client requirement comes at an ideal time when recovery is underway and the pressure on optimal working capital management and return on investment dictate that surplus cash be put to use. The Middle East has seen considerable change in the way business is being done today. Clients are seeking better operating models to create efficiencies that add to a fresh approach to how Clients manage their Working Capital. They are seeking to adopt technology to manage their business domestically and expand their purview across borders because it fit with their business aspirations.
“Transaction Banking is a core business that is critical to our Wholesale banking strategy and essential to our client relationships. Moreover, it has taken on a strong focus as the liquidity engine for the Bank. Combined with our ability to provide technologically smart solutions using our proprietary Straight2Bank e-channel, we can support working capital solutions in cash, trade or securities services for our Wholesale Banking and Institutional clients, deepening these relationships as a result,” Aida Kalla, Head of Origination and Client Coverage, Standard Chartered Bahrain, said.
“Working Capital Management is one of the key issues that companies are looking at to ensure enough liquidity to fund their operations and to maintain a healthy balance sheet. With an industry centric relationship focus becoming prevalent, Banks have become experts at replicating best practice and successful solutions. This Client Event is an ideal platform to share our capabilities to leverage technology to achieve this with our clients and is part of our continuous efforts to deepen our client relationships and develop further understanding of their business requirements and needs,” Hussain Shirazie, Director and Head of Transaction Banking Bahrain, Oman and Levant for Standard Chartered Bahrain said.