Standard Chartered Bank says it is “committed” to its current diamond and jewelry clients, despite the departure of Anna Martin from the division.

“The bank has deep client relationships in the diamond and jewelry industry, and we remain committed to these clients,” read a statement from the London-based bank sent to JCK. The statement did not say whether it intends to look for new clients, and the bank declined further comment.

Martin, who headed and founded Standard Chartered’s diamond and jewelry lending division, is leaving the bank to join the Gemological Institute of America as senior vice president of global development. Her departure raised questions about whether Standard Chartered is committed to its diamond and jewelry lending division, given how many other financial institutions have stopped lending to the trade.

Kishore Lall and Bryan Walker, two other executives in the bank’s diamond and jewelry division, remain with the bank. The bank also recently posted a job advertisement for a unit head for the diamonds and jewelry division, to be based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At press time, it wasn’t clear if that position had been filled. 

Martin established Standard Chartered’s diamond and jewelry lending division six years ago, after she left ABN Amro, where she headed the diamond and jewelry lending division in New York City.

Martin, Lall, and Walker did not respond to requests for comment. 

Rob Bates

JCK News Director