(4 March 2026 – Singapore) Standard Chartered has named Naveen Mallela as Global Head of Payments, appointing the former blockchain division leader from JPMorgan Chase to spearhead the bank’s next phase of payments transformation.
Based in Singapore, Mallela will oversee a newly integrated payments structure that brings together Collections, Clearing and Payments teams into a single organisation. The unit will focus on developing solutions across the full payments lifecycle, spanning traditional rails as well as emerging tokenised and on-chain settlement models.
Michael Spiegel, Global Head of Transaction Banking at Standard Chartered, comments: “Our Cash Management Business is entering a defining chapter as we build a scalable, product-led franchise that enables clients to manage across both traditional and emerging digital payment ecosystems, positioning them for long-term growth in an increasingly integrated financial landscape.”
Mallela joins from JPMorgan where he served as Global Co-Head of Kinexys, the bank’s permissioned blockchain platform (formerly Onyx) focused on real-time, 24/7 cross-border payments and digital asset settlement.
Roberto Hoornweg, CEO of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Chartered, says: “As client needs evolve and payments increasingly integrate traditional and on-chain settlement models, Naveen’s experience in leading payments innovation will be pivotal as we scale our next phase of growth by combining clearing and digital assets capabilities in a client-centric way.”