(China) – Standard Chartered Bank is opening four new retail branches in China over the coming nine months and launching a telephone banking service in Shanghai next month.Possible strategic alliances with a mainland player are also being considered as the Bank looks to an ambitious expansion of its business in the Middle Kingdom, beginning with Shanghai and a second presence in Shenzen, then Beijing and Guangzhou.
The bank currently has seven branches in China and has also applied to offer mortgages, auto financing and credit cards to the China market.