Standard Chartered partners with ePLDT VITRO for PH business expansion

Manila, Philippines (11 October 2023) – Oldest international bank in the Philippines, Standard Chartered has partnered with ePLDT, PLDT’s ICT subsidiary, for its digital infrastructure, with an agreement to collocate in VITRO. VITRO is the country’s premier data center network with the largest and most hyperconnected data center sites.    

Standard Chartered previously maintained its client-server and critical applications on-premise. The move to colocate this digital infrastructure is based on ePLDT’s capability to support the bank’s stringent global colocation requirements as well as its track record and expertise in data center management and operations.    

The colocation also aligns with Standard Chartered Bank’s commitment to service excellence, further elevate customer experience and operational efficiency.    

“The Philippines has been selected as the location of Standard Chartered Group Services Manila, Inc. (SCGS Manila), a highly specialized knowledge-based shared service centre of Standard Chartered Bank. This is part of our long-standing commitment to support the growth and development of the Philippines. ePLDT has been a reliable and dependable partner as we continue to provide excellent service to our clients and grow our presence in the country,” said Rowena Kapunan, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank. 

SCGS Manila covers strategic planning and business management supporting the business growth and shared services activities of the bank globally. It is the fifth business service centre of the bank with other hubs in China, India, Malaysia and Poland. With ePLDT VITRO as its data center partner, SCGS Manila can focus on supporting the seamless delivery of products and services to the clients of Standard Chartered worldwide. 

The contract signing was held on 10 October 2023. It was led by Victor S. Genuino, CEO and President of ePLDT; Rowena Kapunan, Interim CEO of Standard Chartered Bank; Ma. Christina Goco, Chief Technology and Operations Officer of Standard Chartered Bank; Masayuki Fujimoto, Country Technology Manager of Standard Chartered Bank; and Gary F. Ignacio, Chief Data Center Officer of ePLDT.

We build robust and world-class hyperconnected data centers that enable enterprises for hypergrowth.  Our commitment as the country’s leading digital transformation and data center partner of choice extends to finding ways to meet the demands and accommodate the unique requirements of our clients, said Genuino.     

Additionally, ePLDT, through its suite of multi-cloud and data center solutions, enables banks and financial institutions to achieve a successful digital transformation and focus better on their customers and core banking operations.    

Backed by ePLDT’s more than 20 years of industry experience, VITRO has set the standards in providing world-class data center facilities in the Philippines.  It has the largest data center footprint located in prime cities across the country with a service uptime of 99.99%.  Early next year, its largest and first true hyperscale facility is set to go live in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. It will have a total power capacity of 50 MW and can readily integrate and utilize artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.  

“We continue to expand and transform our existing facilities to ensure these are always at par with hyperscalers’ global standards.  Simultaneously, we are progressing with the construction of ePLDT’s largest state-of-the-art data center in Sta. Rosa, Laguna,” said Genuino.  

This network of purpose-built VITRO data centers is part of an even bigger domestic fiber network of PLDT, which is connected to a vast international underwater cable system of the telco giant.  

“We place great importance in ensuring that our banking industry partners have a resilient network to support their organizations through ICT solutions from ePLDT,” said Mitch L. Locsin, First Vice President and Head of Enterprise and International Business Groups at PLDT and Smart. “In doing so, we consistently provide them with world-class facilities to support their vision of secure banking operations and an enhanced customer experience.”  

About ePLDT  

ePLDT is the industry-leading digital transformation partner of enterprises in the Philippines. Leveraging on the expertise and world-class telecommunication infrastructure of the PLDT Group, ePLDT aims to deliver customized ICT services through its suite of Cloud and Data Centers, which will enable enterprises to achieve their digital transformation vision.  

For more information about ePLDT, visit epldt.com.  

About Standard Chartered Bank  

Standard Chartered is a leading international banking group, with a presence in 59 of the world’s most dynamic markets, and serving clients in a further 83. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good. 

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. 

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.  

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