OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2023-12-31-accounts

Ernst & Young LLP Tel: + 44 20 7951 2000 1 More London Place Fax: + 44 20 7951 1345 London SE1 2AF ey.com

Private and confidential

The Trustees

The Standard Chartered Bank Benevolent Fund 1 Basinghall Avenue London EC2V 5DD

11 July 2024

Ref: SC/23/BF Direct line: +44 20 7760 5207 Email: Arun.Melmane@uk.ey.com

Dear Sirs

Audit of The Standard Chartered Bank Benevolent Fund (“the Fund’’): year ended 31 December 2023

The purpose of this letter is to communicate matters that we are required to communicate to you in writing by professional standards or that in our judgement as auditors warrant written communication.

Independence

FRC Ethical Standard and ISA (UK) 260 require us to communicate with you on a timely basis on all significant facts and matters that bear upon our integrity, objectivity and independence. The aim of these communications is to ensure full and fair disclosure by us to those charged with governance on matters in which you have an interest.

We are not aware of any other relationships between member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited and the Fund that, in our professional judgment, may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence or the objectivity of the audit engagement team. We confirm that in our professional judgment, the Firm is independent within the meaning of regulatory and professional requirements and the objectivity of the audit engagement partner and audit staff has not been compromised.

If you require information about the general policies and processes within our Firm for maintaining objectivity and independence, this can be found in Ernst & Young LLP’s 2023 Annual Transparency Report which can be obtained at ey-uk-2023-transparency-report.pdf.

We consider that our independence in this context is a matter that should be reviewed by both you and ourselves. It is therefore important that you consider the facts of which you are aware and come to a view. Should you have any specific matters that you wish to discuss, please contact us.

Fraud risk related to Revenue recognition and management override of internal controls.

The UK Firm Ernst & Young LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC300001 and is a member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited. A list of members’ names is available for inspection at 1 More London Place, London SE1 2AF, the firm’s principal place of business and registered office and at Companies House [https://www.gov.uk/get-information-about-a-company] under the registration number OC300001. Not all partners are members of Ernst & Young LLP. Ernst & Young LLP is a multidisciplinary practice and is authorised and regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (authorisation number 614947), the Financial Conduct Authority (registration number 196203) and other regulators. Further details can be found at https://www.ey .com/en_uk/legal-statement.

recorded in the general ledger and topside adjustments made in the preparation of the financial statements.

Uncorrected misstatements

No uncorrected misstatements were identified in relation to the Fund for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Corrected misstatements

No corrected misstatements were identified in relation to the Fund for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Internal control themes and observations

As part of our audit of the financial statements, we obtained an understanding of internal control sufficient to plan our audit and determine the nature, timing and extent of testing performed. Although our audit was not designed to express an opinion on the effectiveness of internal control, we are required to communicate to you significant deficiencies in internal control. During our audit, we did not identify any significant deficiencies in internal control.

Other matters

This letter has been prepared for the sole use of the Trustees, management and others within the Fund. It must not be disclosed to a third party or quoted or referred to without our written consent. No responsibility is assumed by Ernst & Young LLP to any other person.

Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank your staff for the co-operation we have received throughout our audit. If there are any further matters which you wish to discuss concerning our audit, please do not hesitate to call us.

Yours faithfully

Arun Melmane Partner

For and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP

The Standard Chartered Bank Benevolent Fund Registered charity number 326764 Trustees' annual report and financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

Contents

Trustees’ report 3
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities 6
Independent auditor’s report 7
Statement of financial activities 11
Balance sheet 12
Notes to the financial statements 13

2

Trustees' report

The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of The Standard Chartered Bank Benevolent Fund (the “Fund”) for the year ended 31 December 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 13 and comply with the Fund's trust deed and the Charities Act 2011.

Structure, governance and management

The Standard Chartered Benevolent Fund (the "Fund") was established by Standard Chartered Bank (the "Bank") under a Deed of Trust dated 18 December 1984 (amended on 6th June 1996) and it became registered with the Charities Commission in May 1985.

The Fund is administered by the Bank.

During the year under review the following persons served as trustees:

The trustees are appointed by deed by the Bank and shall be at least two in number.

Training and induction of trustees are addressed when appropriate. The trustees of the Fund can draw on their skills from other responsibilities within Standard Chartered Bank.

The Fund deed does not define any limitation on the tenure of trustees. The Board of Trustees of The Standard Chartered Bank Benevolent Fund has, and regularly considers, the skills, knowledge and experience it needs to govern, lead and deliver the charity’s purposes effectively. It reflects this mix in its trustee appointments, balancing the need for continuity with the need to refresh the board. Christopher Wheeler has a tenure of ten years and the board believes that it is in the charity’s best interest for this trustee to continue in their role.

Public benefit

As a public benefit entity, the Fund’s objects are for the benefit of employees and former employees of the Bank or any of its subsidiary companies throughout the world, and any dependants of the aforementioned.

Principal objectives of the Fund

The purpose of the Fund, as laid down in the Trust Deed, is to relieve the poverty of employees and former employees of the Standard Chartered PLC or any of its subsidiary companies throughout the world, and any dependants of the aforementioned. It is also empowered to make donations or grants to any other registered charities, as may be deemed appropriate by the trustees. There have been no changes in the policies adopted to fulfil the Fund's objectives during the year. In setting their objectives, the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

3

Trustees' report continued

Achievements and performance

During the year, seven awards was made from the nineteen applications received which relieve the poverty of an employee or former employee of a subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC. Each case is considered on information received and any supporting information that is forwarded. The applications were assessed against:

Investment powers

The trustees are empowered to invest the funds, as they consider appropriate. The funds are placed in an account with the Bank, which attracts interest, to meet future claims.

Reference and administrative details

The Fund's registered address is 1 Basinghall Avenue, London EC2V 5DD.

The registered charity number is 326764.

Advisers to the Fund

Auditors

Ernst & Young Statutory Audit Firm London

Bankers

Standard Chartered Bank 1 Basinghall Avenue London EC2V 5DD

Financial review

It is the policy of the Fund to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the Fund, to generate interest income and to respond to emergency applications for grants which arise from time to time. The unrestricted funds are for the use of the Fund at the discretion of the trustees. The balance, including cash in transit as at 31 December 2023 was £179,647 (2022: £190,886). Donations of £52,000 were received from Standard Chartered Bank during the year (2022: £60,000).

Plans for future periods

There are no material uncertainties and risks relating to investments and liabilities held in the Fund as it solely contains cash deposits in the UK. Trustees consider the Fund to be a going concern and no plans have been made by the trustees or the Bank to wind up the Fund. There are no material uncertainties over the Fund's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements.

4

Trustees' report continued

Risk management

The trustees acknowledge that sound risk management is fundamental to both good governance and good management practice. The risk management aims of the Fund are to: identify, quantify and report at the earliest time a major risk exposure and prevent materialisation of major risks, through the effective application of the control environment.

The trustees have considered the principal risks to which the Fund is exposed and have taken steps to mitigate these risks. A Risk Register is maintained and is reviewed at the Trustee meetings to ensure the trustees understand the Fund’s risk exposure and can respond effectively.

The Risk Register includes risk measurement criteria including impact and likelihood, mitigating actions, person responsible for implementing mitigating actions and the current status. A summary of the principal risks identified, and the actions taken to mitigate these is set out below.

Risk theme Principal risks Mitigatingactions
Our Governance The trustees fail to effectively govern The trustees are recruited based on their varied
the Fund leading to a loss of background and skills. Governance training is
charitable
status
with		 Charity delivered for trustees. Conflicts of interest are
Commission of England and Wales. declared at Trustee meetings. The Fund Strategy
agreed and reviewed annually.
Our Money The Fund fails to control its finances The Fund to maintain open communication and
and
ensure
continued		 financial consultation with the Standard Chartered Group
stability. Trustees do not provide (“Group”) regarding its strategy. The Fund Financial
effective financial oversight. Management Policies are in place.
Our Operations The Fund fails to ensure efficient and The Fund relies on the Group’s robust IT systems.
resilient operations. Annual training provided to Group staff regarding
cyber security and data management.
Our Conduct The Fund fails to act responsibly and The Group Code of Conduct applies to staff working
safeguard all those involved in the on behalf of the Fund.
Fund from harm.
Our Reputation The Fund fails to effectively protect its Conflicts of interest are declared at Trustee meetings.
reputation. The Group’s Gifts and Entertainment Policy applies to
staff working on behalf of the Fund. The Fund to
maintain open communication and consultation with
the Group regarding its strategy.
Our Impact The Fund fails to address needs of The Fund to maintain open communication and
beneficiaries. consultation with the Group regarding its strategy.
The Fund Financial Management Policies are in place.

5

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities

Under the trust deed and rules of the Fund and charity law, the trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with UK Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK.

The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Fund and of the excess of income over expenditure for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, generally accepted accounting practice entails that the trustees:

The trustees are required to act in accordance with the trust deed of the Fund and within the framework of trust law. They are responsible for keeping proper accounting records sufficient to disclose at any time with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the Fund at that time, and to enable the trustees to ensure that where any statements of accounts are prepared by them under section 132(1) of the Charities Act 2011, those statements of accounts comply with the requirements of regulations under that provision. They are responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Fund and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

By order of the Trustees

S Rughani Trustee

11 July 2024

6

Independent auditor’s report

to the Trustees of The Standard Chartered Bank Benevolent Fund

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Standard Chartered Bank Benevolent Fund (‘’the Fund’’) for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and the related notes 1 to 10 , including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”.

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report below. We are independent of the Fund in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Fund’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the Fund’s ability to continue as a going concern.

7

Independent auditor’s report

to the Trustees of The Standard Chartered Bank Benevolent Fund continued

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained in the annual report.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of the other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of the trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 6, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the Fund’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the Fund or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

8

Independent auditor’s report

to the Trustees of The Standard Chartered Bank Benevolent Fund continued

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect irregularities, including fraud. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both those charged with governance of the Fund and management.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

9

Independent auditor’s report

to the Trustees of The Standard Chartered Bank Benevolent Fund continued

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the Trustees, as a body, in accordance with our engagement letter dated 8 July 2024. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Fund's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Fund and the Fund’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Ernst & Young LLP London 11 July 2024

10

Statement of financial activities

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Unrestricted funds
Note
2023
2022
£
£		 Unrestricted funds
Note
2023
2022
£
£
Income from Investments
Interest on SCB current account
171		 145
Interest on bank account
5
171		 145
Donation received from SCB
9
52,000		 60,000
Total income
52,171		 60,145
Expenditure on
Charitable activities
3
(63,410)		 (8,056)
Net movement in funds
(11,239)		 52,089
Fund balance brought forward at 1 January
190,886		 138,797
Fund balance carried forward at 31 December
179,647		 190,886

The Fund has no unrecognised gains or losses other than the net movements in funds for the year. All funds are unrestricted funds.

The outgoing resources and resulting net movement in funds arise from continuing operations.

The notes on page 13 form part of these financial statements.

11

Balance sheet

As at 31 December 2023

Balance sheet
As at 31 December 2023
Note 2023 2022
£ £
Current assets
Cash at bank 10 179,647 190,886
Funds
Unrestricted 10 179,647 190,886

The notes on page 13 form part of these financial statements. Approved by the Trustees on 11 July2024 and signed on its behalf by:

Trustee

S Rughani

Trustee

G Ursell

12

Notes to the financial statements

  1. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a true and fair view in accordance with the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which the trustees consider to be appropriate for the following reasons. The business model of the Fund is such that its charitable activities are limited to those which it has sufficient funds to support from the excess of funding received over the cost of administering the Fund. The Fund has no specific commitments and no committed costs beyond its fixed costs which are detailed in note 6 which is paid by the Bank. The trustees are confident that the Fund will have sufficient funds to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements.

  1. The Standard Chartered Bank Benevolent Fund is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable trust for UK income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Fund is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Part 10 of the Income Tax Act 2007 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

  2. The expenditure on charitable activities refer to grants. Grants represent monies paid at the discretion of the trustees to the Group employees and former Group employees and their dependants who are suffering financial hardship supported by relevant documentation from an independent source. Seven grants were paid during the year and communicated to the respective individuals (2022: one).

  3. No remuneration was paid and no expenses were reimbursed to the trustees (2022: nil).

  4. Interest on cash deposits is accounted for on an accrual basis. Interest income of £171 (2022: £145) was earned from Standard Chartered Bank, a related party to the Fund.

  5. Administrative expenses of the Fund, including the audit fee, management, governance and support costs are borne by the Bank and are not material to the Fund’s assets.

  6. No full-time equivalent staff are employed in the administration of the Fund.

  7. Reserves comprise of only unrestricted funds which are expended at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the Charitys’ objectives. The cash is unrestricted and can be used in line with the objectives of the Fund.

  8. Total donations of £52,000 were received from Standard Chartered Bank during the year (2022: £60,000).

  9. None of the trustees have received any fee or emoluments from the Trust during the year (2022: nil). The Fund has £179,647 (2022: £190,886) total cash balance in its current account and deposit account with Standard Chartered Bank at the end of the year. The Fund earned £171 (2022: £145) interest income on the cash balance.

13