The Reuters news staff had no role in the production of this content. It was created by Reuters Plus, the brand marketing studio of Reuters.
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Disclaimer: The Reuters news staff had no role in the production of this content. It was created by Reuters Plus, the brand marketing studio of Reuters. To work with Reuters Plus, contact us here.
UK technology has global momentum
This rapid expansion also opens unprecedented opportunities for UK technology, media and telecoms (“TMT”) firms to scale globally, especially in emerging markets, as technological advances such as AI compute requirements continue to scale up. In 2023, the value of UK high-tech exports reached $82 billion USD, up from about $74 billion in 2022, according to UN Comtrade data. The steady growth underscores the strength of the UK’s innovation ecosystem. To realise their potential, British TMT companies need trusted financial partners with deep on the ground expertise and key understanding of both project financing and capex requirements as well as traditional corporate lending. In essence, cross-border banking is an essential component that helps technology companies grow. As one of the founding members of the UK Sovereign AI Industry forum, Standard Chartered possesses deep technological knowledge and understanding and stands at the intersection of innovation and international opportunity, acting not only as a financier but also as a bridge connecting UK enterprises to high-potential markets across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. With a network spanning more than 50 markets and proven expertise in serving the cross-border needs of the largest and most sophisticated corporates through transaction and securities services, financing and risk expertise, Standard Chartered helps UK technological businesses scale confidently.
The need for cross-border banking
Corporates are looking for banks to provide advisory, fintech connectivity, and tailored support to navigate trade transformation. According to Standard Chartered’s recent Future of Trade: Digitalisation report that surveyed 1,200 corporates across TMT, consumer and retail, energy and power, utilities and heavy industries sectors based in 17 key markets including the UK, 81% of corporates hope banking partners can advise them on digitalisation and digital assets adoption. This is followed by connecting them with vendors for digital transformation (77%).
Source: Standard Chartered, Future of Trade: Digitalisation, Strategic partnerships to scale transformation, p14, November 2025
Consider a London-based biotech firm expanding into Southeast Asia’s healthcare sector. To succeed, it must not only be able to invest in growth, but also they need a resilient cross-border bank with local knowledge who can enable them to diversify and enter new markets, win new customers and pay new suppliers across different jurisdictions, timezones and regulated environments. Modern cross-border banking infrastructure also incorporates advanced technologies such as AI-driven forecasting, APIs, and data analytics. AI can predict foreign exchange fluctuations, helping finance teams time conversions strategically. APIs allow a company’s ERP or accounting system to connect directly with its financial institution’s platform. Using this direct pipeline, the company can automate payment workflows and gain real-time visibility into every transaction. This is one of the reasons why leading UK TMT companies select Standard Chartered to be their sole bank in African, Asian and Middle East markets, helping them grow.
Managing risk with AI
As a leading cross-border bank with a unique global network, at Standard Chartered we integrate AI across our operations to manage risk and enhance experiences for clients and employees. The Bank utilizes machine learning models for name and transaction screening to aid compliance and ensure consistent, timely decision-making. AI and machine learning also play a central role in detecting and preventing fraud across our global network. All AI applications adhere to Standard Chartered’s responsible AI standard, established in 2021 to ensure ethical, transparent, and secure use of AI. Overseen by an internal AI Council, this framework defines clear principles around fairness, privacy, and risk mitigation. It includes measures to eliminate unjust bias, protect data privacy, and maintain accountability in every stage of AI deployment. Standard Chartered is equally focused on using generative AI (GenAI) to empower its workforce. The Bank launched SC GPT, a GenAI tool designed to help employees improve efficiency in operations, marketing, risk management, and other key functions. Available to colleagues in the UK and 40 other markets, SC GPT enables staff to create content, generate ideas, and automate routine tasks. The Bank also provides employees with AI-powered tools for goal-setting and performance feedback, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Employees can learn new skills through Standard Chartered’s dedicated AI learning hubs, which offer both short modules and in-depth courses on blockchain, cybersecurity, AI, data analytics, and other emerging technology topics.
Saif Malik is CEO & Head of Coverage, UK, Standard Chartered. Standard Chartered: Tech expertise and global presence With deep connections in the world’s fastest-growing markets, a future-forward digital strategy and a robust suite of client tools from open APIs and AI-enabled treasury services, Standard Chartered helps UK TMT clients manage complex transactions with ease and scale confidently across borders.
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Banking on the UK’s
The United Kingdom is fast emerging as one of the world’s leading technology hubs.
Author: Saif Malik, CEO & Head of Coverage, UK, Standard Chartered
Recent investments totalling £31 billion from U.S. tech giants such as Nvidia and Microsoft signal strong confidence in the UK’s innovation ecosystem, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). A “perfect storm” of favourable conditions — from a robust investor community to government policies that encourage experimentation and growth — is propelling advances in AI, quantum computing, biotech and robotics.
What do corporates hope for from banking partners?
AI advantage
Advisory on digitalisation and digital assets adoption
81%
Connect buyers, suppliers and fintech partners for digital transformation
77%
Advisory on supply chain management
74%
Offer products or market presence to support supply chain changes
68%
To download the Future of Trade: Digitalisation report please click here.
The success of a manufacturing company depends on the quality of the end product. Each time a product that falls short of expectations or specifications makes it to market, the quality deviation creates negative impacts that reverberate throughout the company. Often, plant managers don’t realize a deviation has occurred until after production, leaving leaders to focus on reactive resolution. Additionally, each time a process deviates from the norm, referred to as an excursion, waste occurs — in time, materials, or energy. Waste from excursions causes a wide range of issues, including higher costs, production delays, increased labor costs, and even reputational damage. At many plants, a single issue, such as one machine performing slightly slower than usual, can lead to a significant amount of waste that affects the company in multiple ways. On top of this, plant managers must constantly watch their production efficiency. Seemingly minor delays can have major consequences. Alongside increased costs and lower quality, employee morale can fall in the face of consistent efficiency issues. Manufacturers looking to maintain a competitive advantage and high customer satisfaction, therefore, must ensure that each product is produced and delivered as promised.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
The UK's AI advantage:
Why cross-border banking capabilities matters now
The United Kingdom is fast emerging as one of the world’s leading technology hubs. Recent investments totalling £31 billion from U.S. tech giants such as Nvidia and Microsoft signal strong confidence in the UK’s innovation ecosystem, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). A “perfect storm” of favourable conditions — from a robust investor community to government policies that encourage experimentation and growth — is propelling advances in AI, quantum computing, biotech and robotics.
This rapid expansion also opens unprecedented opportunities for UK technology, media and telecoms (“TMT”) firms to scale globally, especially in emerging markets, as technological advances such as AI compute requirements continue to scale up. In 2023, the value of UK high-tech exports reached $82 billion USD, up from about $74 billion in 2022, according to UN Comtrade data. The steady growth underscores the strength of the UK’s innovation ecosystem. To realise their potential, British TMT companies need trusted financial partners with deep on-the-ground expertise and a key understanding of both project financing and capex requirements as well as traditional corporate lending. In essence, cross-border banking is an essential component that helps technology companies grow. As one of the founding members of the UK Sovereign AI Industry forum, Standard Chartered possesses deep technological knowledge and understanding and stands at the intersection of innovation and international opportunity, acting not only as a financier but also as a bridge connecting UK enterprises to high-potential markets across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. With a network spanning more than 50 markets and proven expertise in serving the cross-border needs of the largest and most sophisticated corporates through transaction and securities services, financing and risk expertise, Standard Chartered helps UK technological businesses scale confidently.
Source: Standard Chartered, Future of Trade: Digitalisation, Strategic partnerships to scale transformation, p14, September 2025
Consider a London-based biotech firm expanding into Southeast Asia’s healthcare sector. To succeed, it must not only be able to invest in growth, but also they need a resilient cross-border bank with local knowledge that can enable it to diversify and enter new markets, win new customers and pay new suppliers across different jurisdictions, time zones and regulated environments. Modern cross-border banking infrastructure also incorporates advanced technologies such as AI-driven forecasting, APIs, and data analytics. AI can predict foreign exchange fluctuations, helping finance teams time conversions strategically. APIs allow a company’s ERP or accounting system to connect directly with its financial institution’s platform. Using this direct pipeline, the company can automate payment workflows and gain real-time visibility into every transaction. This is one of the reasons why leading UK companies like LSEG select Standard Chartered to be their sole bank in 18 Asian markets, helping them grow.
As a leading cross-border bank with a unique global network, at Standard Chartered, we integrate AI across our operations to manage risk and enhance experiences for clients and employees. The Bank utilizes machine learning models for name and transaction screening to aid compliance and ensure consistent, timely decision-making. AI and machine learning also play a central role in detecting and preventing fraud across our global network. All AI applications adhere to Standard Chartered’s responsible AI standard, established in 2021 to ensure ethical, transparent, and secure use of AI. Overseen by an internal AI Council, this framework defines clear principles around fairness, privacy, and risk mitigation. It includes measures to eliminate unjust bias, protect data privacy, and maintain accountability in every stage of AI deployment. Standard Chartered is equally focused on using generative AI (GenAI) to empower its workforce. In partnership with OpenAI, the Bank launched SC GPT, a GenAI tool designed to help employees improve efficiency in operations, marketing, risk management, and other key functions. Available to colleagues in the UK and 40 other markets, SC GPT enables staff to create content, generate ideas, and automate routine tasks. The Bank also provides employees with AI-powered tools for goal-setting and performance feedback, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Employees can learn new skills through Standard Chartered’s dedicated AI learning hubs, which offer both short modules and in-depth courses on blockchain, cybersecurity, AI, data analytics, and other emerging technology topics.
Standard Chartered: Tech expertise and global presence With deep connections in the world’s fastest-growing markets, a future-forward digital strategy and a robust suite of client tools from open APIs and AI-enabled treasury services, Standard Chartered helps UK TMT clients manage complex transactions with ease and scale confidently across borders.
