Standard Chartered raises $170 million in DIFC deal

03/02/2026 03:59 AST

Standard Chartered has raised $170 million by issuing a Certificate of Deposit through its Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) branch, underlining the UAE's expanding role as a global hub for money flows and cross-border financing.

The transaction, completed on February 2, 2026, was carried out under the bank's UK electronic commercial paper and certificate of deposit programme and marks a significant step in using Dubai as a base for international funding activity.

Certificates of Deposit are short-term investment products that banks use to raise funds from large investors such as institutions and asset managers.

For everyday observers, this simply means the bank is borrowing money for a short period in an organised, regulated way, while offering investors a safe and tradable instrument backed by a global financial institution.

The latest issuance strengthens Standard Chartered's funding base and gives it access to a broader pool of international capital. By routing the transaction through Dubai International Financial Centre, the bank is also tapping into the UAE's growing reputation as a bridge between Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

"This issuance is the first of many in the region and represents an important step in strengthening our funding resilience and expanding our global liquidity reach," said Camil Zoghby, head of Treasury Markets for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan at Standard Chartered.

He added that Dubai's financial ecosystem allows the bank to raise short-term funds efficiently from both regional and international investors, while supporting the UAE's ambition to connect global capital markets with fast-growing economies.

For investors, these Certificates of Deposit offer a low-risk, short-term investment option backed by one of the world's most internationally active banks. For the UAE, the deal sends a strong signal that global financial institutions see the country as a reliable and sophisticated base for managing international capital.

The UAE's continued investment in strong regulation, transparent markets and digital financial infrastructure has made it easier for global banks to run complex funding operations from Dubai.

By choosing the DIFC as the launch platform for this issuance, Standard Chartered is reinforcing confidence in the UAE's financial system and contributing to the country's broader goal of becoming a leading global financial centre connecting East and West.

Khaleej Times