London: Standard Bank has been recognised for its excellence in emerging markets winning seven awards, including the prestigious 'Bank of the Year for Africa', in The Banker Awards of 2009.

Standard Bank, whose operations extend to 33 countries and with total assets of US$200 billion, was also named 'Bank of the Year' for its country of origin South Africa and for Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland and Tanzania, reinforcing its position as Africa's leading bank.

Each year The Banker, the pre-eminent publication on the banking sector, acknowledges banks for the best overall performance by country and region, with the winners chosen based on analysis of their financial results, as well as their strategic developments and overall achievements in the year. The Awards ceremony was held last night at the Intercontinental Park Lane Hotel in London.

Commenting on the wins, Jacko Maree, Standard Bank Group Chief Executive said: "Africa is core to our strategy and heritage and we recognise and appreciate The Banker's endorsement of our strength in Africa.

"2009 has been a year of consolidation and growth for Standard Bank and these awards reflect Standard Bank's dominant position in Africa as well as its links to other important emerging markets of the world."

Standard Bank's key objective is to become a leading emerging markets financial services organisation "Our focus is firmly fixed on being a full-service financial services player in our home market and using this experience to build strong operations in chosen markets in Africa, and in other emerging markets, particularly those with links to Africa," says Maree.

Standard Bank's Africa growth strategy was enhanced in 2008 with ICBC (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China), the world's largest bank, becoming a strategic partner through its acquisition of 20% of Standard Bank. This was the biggest ever Chinese foreign direct investment at the time. "Our strategic partnership with ICBC provides us with one of the strongest partners in the Chinese economy, with a keen desire to participate in the next phase of development on the African continent," says Maree.

Standard Bank's acquisitions in Nigeria, Kenya, Argentina and Turkey, and more recently the finalisation of its 33% partnership with Troika Dialog, the most established independent investment bank in Russia, has reinforced its strategy to build strong operations in chosen markets.

Standard Bank's heritage of nearly 150-years, its pioneering spirit and proven track record gives it a distinct advantage in emerging markets. "We have a good understanding of these markets. Being based in South Africa throughout its economic, financial market, social and political evolution, has forced and enabled us to be innovative, proactive, resilient and adaptable - attributes which are essential to developing a global emerging market operation," says Maree.