Singapore Gulf Bank Partners with Standard Chartered to Strengthen Cross-Border Payments
Collaboration aims to enhance multi-currency settlement and correspondent banking capabilities across emerging markets
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Singapore Gulf Bank (SGB) has entered into a strategic banking partnership with Standard Chartered to strengthen cross-border clearing and settlement services, with a particular focus on emerging markets and the expanding digital asset economy.
The partnership is expected to enhance SGB’s multi-currency payment infrastructure and correspondent banking capabilities, particularly across the Middle East-Asia corridor, where demand for faster and more efficient payment solutions has been rising alongside increased digital asset adoption.
Under the agreement, clients are expected to benefit from improved settlement efficiency, reduced transaction delays and lower operational friction often associated with cross-border transactions in emerging markets.
“Reliable, high-speed settlement is a necessity for global businesses, yet emerging markets remain structurally disadvantaged due to complex multi-layered intermediary routing,” said Shawn Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Gulf Bank. “By partnering with Standard Chartered, SGB is resolving the bottlenecks and providing the modern infrastructure required to power the digital asset economy across these vital corridors.”
Standard Chartered said the collaboration reflects growing demand for seamless international payment flows across high-growth markets.
“Cross-border payment flows across key growth corridors are accelerating, and the infrastructure supporting them is evolving to match that pace,” said Karine Zakhour, Head of Banks and Broker Dealers for the Middle East and Pakistan at Standard Chartered. “Standard Chartered’s global network and clearing capabilities enable real-time, transparent settlement where it matters most.”
Zakhour added that Bahrain’s regulatory framework and established financial ecosystem continue to support the kingdom’s position as a stable hub for international financial transactions.
The partnership marks another expansion step for Singapore Gulf Bank as it continues building its corporate banking and digital asset infrastructure. The bank launched corporate banking services in late 2024 and has since expanded its payments and treasury offerings.
In May 2025, SGB introduced SGB Net, a platform designed to support real-time multi-currency settlement. Later that year, the bank partnered with digital asset infrastructure provider Fireblocks to strengthen treasury management and digital asset custody capabilities.
Singapore Gulf Bank has also rolled out 24/7 payment capabilities and expanded its correspondent banking network and U.S. dollar clearing operations as part of its broader growth strategy.
Singapore Gulf Bank (SGB) has entered into a strategic banking partnership with Standard Chartered to strengthen cross-border clearing and settlement services, with a particular focus on emerging markets and the expanding digital asset economy.
The partnership is expected to enhance SGB’s multi-currency payment infrastructure and correspondent banking capabilities, particularly across the Middle East-Asia corridor, where demand for faster and more efficient payment solutions has been rising alongside increased digital asset adoption.
Under the agreement, clients are expected to benefit from improved settlement efficiency, reduced transaction delays and lower operational friction often associated with cross-border transactions in emerging markets.
