Standard Chartered cuts 15,000 jobs, raises 3.3 bln pounds

Standard Chartered PLC, a Britain-based banking group, Tuesday announced it would cut 15,000 jobs by 2018 and raise 3.3 billion pounds (5.1 billion U.S. dollars) to make a "more profitable bank".

The job cuts is part of a restructuring program to take place over the next three years. The British bank gave few details about the staff reductions.

The restructuring plan announced after a "disappointing" third-quarter loss. The bank posted its pre-tax quarterly loss of 139 million U.S. dollars compared with a 1.53 billion U.S. dollars profit a year earlier.

Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive, commented: "The business environment in our markets remains challenging and our recent performance is disappointing."

"Today we have announced a strategy that makes big changes to how we will manage ourselves going forward. We are positioning the Group for improved return on equity on a strengthened capital base," said Winters.

Except for the job cuts, the restructuring package also contained delivering 2.9 U.S. dollars of cost rationalization between 2015 and 2018.

Besides, the London-listed company will invest more than 3 billion U.S. dollars over the next three years into strategic opportunities, delivering new technology, and upgrading our regulatory and conduct systems.

Winters said: "This comprehensive program of actions will result in a lean, focused and well capitalized international bank, poised for growth across our dynamic and growing markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East." Endit