Standard Chartered PLC is the holding company. The Company operates globally and is engaged in the business of retail and commercial banking and the provision of other financial services. The Company operates in two segments: Consumer Banking and Wholesale Banking. Consumer Banking meets the needs of private, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), priority, preferred and personal banking customers across its franchise. Wholesale Banking includes lending and portfolio management; trade; cash management and custody, and global markets, including financial markets, asset and liability management, corporate finance and principal finance. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company acquired the consumer finance business of GE Capital (Hong Kong) Limited, consumer finance business of GE Commercial Financing (Singapore) Limited, remaining 25.1% interest in Standard Chartered STCI Capital Markets, and the custody business of Barclays Bank plc across various locations in Africa.