Company
Standard Chartered Bank
TL;DR
British bank formed in 1969 from merger of Standard Bank of British South Africa and Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China.
British bank formed in 1969 from merger of Standard Bank of British South Africa and Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China. Exemplifies strategic niche construction through deliberate geographic focus on Asia, Africa, and Middle East - markets other Western banks de-prioritized. By 2010, derived over 90% of profit from these regions. The case demonstrates both durable competitive advantage through niche construction and the risks of over-specialization reducing strategic flexibility.
Cautionary Notes on Standard Chartered Bank
- $1.1 billion fine in 2012-2014 for violating U.S. sanctions
- Over-specialization in emerging markets created path dependence and strategic inflexibility