The British group STADARD CHARTERED has taken over the retail banking activities of the American group CHASE MANHATTAN in Hong Kong for $1.32 bn. This operation will enable it to become the regions leader on the credit card market (a 25% market share). In addition STANDARD CHARTERED is to sell CHARTERED TRUST (pre-tax profits of £56 million in 1999), specialised in financial services in the United Kingdom and in the channel Islands, to a subsidiary of LLOYDS TSB for £627 million.