Hana Financial Group, the South Korean lender, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Standard Chartered Group to expand cooperation in global finance and digital assets. The agreement seeks to combine both groups' overseas networks and financial capabilities to create new opportunities and enhance global competitiveness.

The Korea Times reported that the signing ceremony was held at Hana Bank's headquarters in Seoul, attended by Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo and Standard Chartered Group Chief Executive Bill Winters.

Under the partnership, the firms will broaden collaboration across global financial businesses including investment banking, capital markets, and foreign exchange, whilst exploring cooperation in emerging areas such as digital assets.

Ham Young-joo, chairman of Hana Financial Group, said: "The partnership built on our global networks and financial expertise will strengthen competitiveness in global finance." He added that the two groups will seek new growth opportunities in future financial sectors including digital assets.

Bill Winters, chief executive of Standard Chartered Group, said Korea is a key hub in Asian finance and that cooperation with Hana Financial marks an important step for Standard Chartered's global network business.

Hana Financial has been expanding partnerships to build a digital asset ecosystem, whilst Standard Chartered has been scaling up digital asset services globally, including custody operations in the Middle East and Europe.

The partnership positions both institutions to expand their presence in international financial markets whilst developing capabilities in emerging digital asset services. The collaboration leverages Hana Financial's position in Asian markets alongside Standard Chartered's established global network across multiple jurisdictions.

The agreement forms part of Hana Financial's broader strategy to strengthen its international business operations and access new growth areas in global finance.

Follow the full details on Hana Financial and Standard Chartered's strategic partnership in global finance and digital asset services.