Standard Bank Group is a global bank with African roots. It is South Africa's largest bank, with operations in 17 African countries. Outside the African continent, Standard Bank Group operations span 16 countries, with an emerging market focus. The group had total assets of about $182 billion at 31 December 2009 and employed more than 50 000 (including Liberty) people worldwide. The strategic partnership of the two largest banks in Africa and China, Standard Bank and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China will generate significant cooperation benefits and new capacity for growth in the years ahead.
The Standard Bank Group merged its Nigerian operations, Stanbic Bank Nigeria, with that of IBTC Chartered Bank PLC to creat Stanbic IBTC Bank plc, which became part of the Standard Bank Group. It has over 60 branches across the country and over 1500 dedicated staff.

In the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2010, Standard Bank Group was named Best Investment Bank In Africa, Best Bank in South Africa and Best Investment Bank in Nigeria.