As a financial content creator, I regularly use products from various banks and write about them based on real experiences. Today, I am sharing my personal experience using a Standard Chartered Bank credit card from the very beginning to the end. Since I am a Bangladeshi user, my analysis focuses solely on the Bangladesh market.
I used a Standard Chartered credit card for just under a year. Prior to this, I had experience with three City Bank American Express (AMEX) cards—Green Blue, Gold, and Blue. My experience with Standard Chartered, however, was limited to their Visa Classic or Silver card.
Regarding the card issuance process, both Standard Chartered and City Bank follow almost identical procedures. Document collection, verification, and processing time are nearly the same in both cases. However, there is one important difference:
▣ Standard Chartered Bank doesn't charge any stamp fee for issuing a card against a deposit.
▣ City Bank, on the other hand, charged me BDT 310 as a stamp fee every time under the same process.
▣ This shows that even with similar products, banks have different policies and fee structures, which are important factors for users when making decisions.
Experience with Complaints and Charges
During my long-term use of City Bank’s three AMEX cards (over three years), I encountered issues with almost every card that required me to contact the bank’s complaints department. In some cases, complaints were even filed with the Bangladesh Bank, the central regulatory authority. I also noticed that City Bank frequently updated its Schedule of Charges, which was communicated via regular SMS notifications.
In contrast, during my use of Standard Chartered’s credit card for nearly a year, I never needed to file a complaint. My card was never declined at any payment point, which is a significant advantage. Most notably, even when my credit limit was fully utilized, the bank allowed me 10% additional over-limit usage, which I used several times. Furthermore, clearing the bill on the same day didn't trigger any over-limit charges or block the card.
Another major advantage of Standard Chartered is the stability of their charging policy. Unlike many other banks, their fees do not change frequently, allowing users to plan their spending with clarity and confidence. While City Bank may excel in some areas, and Standard Chartered in others, this is natural, as banks offer different services based on customer categories and policies.
Card Closure Process
▣ City Bank: Closing a card required me to visit the branch in person. This was especially cumbersome for lien cards. Even though I had instructions to adjust outstanding balances from my limit, closing a lien card was not straightforward.
▣ Standard Chartered: The process was simple and hassle-free. I never had to visit a branch, and everything was completed smoothly until the last day.
This demonstrates that while both banks operate under a centralized business model, differences in service and customer handling are noticeable.
Customer Care Service
Standard Chartered’s customer care service is excellent and hassle-free. Most information and services are available with just a single call, saving the customer both time and effort.
City Bank is also competitive in this regard. They provide 24/7 support through their call center and continually work to improve service quality. Both banks have established strong customer service frameworks.
In summary, I have had the opportunity to use credit cards from both City Bank and Standard Chartered. City Bank AMEX cards (Green Blue, Gold, Blue) were often accompanied by complaints, frequent fee changes, and a cumbersome closure process, particularly for lien cards.
In contrast, Standard Chartered’s Visa Classic (Silver) card provided a completely different experience. During my nearly one-year use, I never needed to file a complaint. Their charging policy is stable, customer care is hassle-free, and the 10% over-limit facility was highly convenient. Same-day bill clearance did not lead to extra charges or card blocking. The card closure process was also simple and required no branch visit.
Overall, I am truly impressed with Standard Chartered’s card services. Although I have currently closed my credit card, I plan to return to Standard Chartered as my first choice with new and improved products in the near future.
Disclaimers & Neutrality
Disclaimer: Through this content, I do not intend to belittle or criticize City Bank. I have only shared my personal experience using their credit cards. City Bank remains one of the largest and most prominent players in Bangladesh's credit card market, which is why I chose to use their cards.
I have no personal bias towards either City Bank or Standard Chartered. The service quality I describe here is based solely on my own experience. I currently continue to use Standard Chartered’s Visa Platinum Debit Card and City Bank’s American Express Debit Card regularly.
Therefore, there is no personal grievance against any bank. Naturally, if any bank underperforms, as customers, we are entitled to share our opinions based on our experiences—whether it is City Bank, Standard Chartered, or any other bank.