Peter Sands, Group Chief Executive, commented, "Standard Chartered is on course to deliver another strong set of full year results. Income growth remains resilient and well diversified, underpinned by high levels of activity across our businesses. We have continued to invest to underpin future income momentum; the credit environment remains relatively benign across our footprint. We continue to focus on the basics of banking, on maintaining a very strong balance sheet, as well as on the continued disciplined execution of our strategy. Our consistent performance and balance sheet resilience have been recognised by both the market and by the rating agencies. We have now been upgraded by all three rating agencies since the beginning of the financial crisis. The growth prospects of our markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East remain intact despite the increasing uncertainty in the West."
