VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Standard Chartered remains committed to Islamic banking and expects growth in its core markets, a spokesman for the lender said on Sunday, after the head of its Islamic arm departed.

Global equities pulled back from recent record highs on Wednesday, with investors turning cautious after underwhelming euro zone PMI data and ahead of central bank meetings.

Standard Chartered (STAN.L) said former JPMorgan (JPM.N) investment bank boss Bill Winters will take over as chief executive in June to replace Peter Sands, after investors demanded change at the helm following two years of problems.

Standard Chartered's (STAN.L) abrupt move to shut its global equities business last week could be a prelude to the lender selling off stakes in a number of Asian banks as it looks to boost capital, people familiar with the lender's thinking said.

Standard Chartered (STAN.L) has agreed to sell its Hong Kong-based consumer finance business to a consortium that includes Pepper Australia Pty Ltd and a Chinese group, in a deal estimated between $600 million to $700 million, two people with knowledge of the deal said.

Standard Chartered (STAN.L) will face another three years of scrutiny for compliance with U.S. standards related to sanctions against certain countries, according to documents filed on Tuesday that also noted another probe of the bank is underway.

Standard Chartered (STAN.L) said it is considering replacing its banking advisers, UBS and JPMorgan, and has invited rival investment banks to pitch for the potentially lucrative business.

Bank of America has hired two U.S. government officials to join its financial crimes team, according to three people familiar with the matter, as banks are under increasing pressure to police their transactions for suspicious activity.

Indonesian businessman Samin Tan is in talks to sell assets including all or part of his stake in Asia Resource Minerals (ARMS) to help repay Standard Chartered and Raiffeisen close to $1 billion.

Standard Chartered (STAN.L) has notified thousands of UAE small and medium enterprise customers it is closing their accounts as it responds to pressure from US regulators to cut its risks following an anti-money laundering settlement.

Standard Chartered (STAN.L) is in advanced talks to sell its Hong Kong consumer finance business to finance firm Pepper Australia Pty Ltd in a deal that could fetch between $500 million to $700 million, people familiar with the deal said.

The private equity arm of London-based banking firm Standard Chartered picked up a 13% stake in Botswana-based supermarket chain Choppies Enterprises in a deal valued at $6 million.

The DealBook said in its report that banks in China are steadily making strategic acquisitions offshore and opening its businesses outside of the mainland, thanks to recent economic reforms.

Fremantle-based livestock export giant Wellard Group’s shipping and land division have attracted strong interests from wealthy investors in Saudi Arabia and Brazil, according to industry insiders.

GMR Infrastructure Ltd. has began the process for the $300-$350 million initial public offering it is planing for its airport business. It has reportedly tapped Citigroup, JPMorgan, Axis Capital and Infrastructure Development Finance Company to manage the listing.