In 2020, Standard Chartered was among the eight companies cited by London-based executive search and human capital specialist firm Leathwaite that stepped up and "walked the walk" for leading in the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic. That year, the bank launched a USD50 million charitable fund to support victims of the pandemic globally. From the USD50 million fund, the bank used the USD25 million for immediate relief efforts, and the remaining USD25 million was allocated for COVID-19 recovery programs supporting the youth and women through education, employability, and entrepreneurship.