PROBLEMS at Standard Bank Group’s entity based in London, Standard Bank Plc, deepened after it was accused this week of being involved in the fixing of platinum and palladium prices as long ago as 2007.

The allegations affect the loss-making Standard Bank Plc, which is being sold to the Industrial Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), and raises questions about the size of the problem at the entity and whether or not it will affect the sale price.