Standard Chartered Bank Reports 16% Profit Growth Amid Challenges

Standard Chartered Bank reported a 16% increase in profit for the year 2025, with an underlying pre-tax profit of $7.9 billion, up from $6.8 billion in 2024. This performance was largely attributed to strong growth in its wealth management sector, which helped mitigate the impact of rising bad debts linked to Hong Kong's commercial real estate downturn. The bank's earnings per share reached $2.297, aligning with analysts' expectations. In response to its financial performance, Standard Chartered proposed a final dividend of 49 cents per share, raising the total dividend for 2025 to 61 cents, compared to 37 cents the previous year.

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In conjunction with its financial results, Standard Chartered announced a $1.5 billion share buyback program, mirroring a similar initiative from the previous year. This move is part of the bank's strategy to enhance shareholder value amidst fluctuating market conditions. CEO Bill Winters emphasized the bank's robust growth in key markets and the favorable business environment, stating, “We are seeing robust growth in our larger markets, and structural shifts in global trade and investment play to our distinctive strengths serving our clients’ cross-border and affluent banking needs.”

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Despite the overall profit increase, Standard Chartered faced challenges in the final quarter of the year, reporting an adjusted pre-tax profit of $1.24 billion, which fell short of the $1.38 billion consensus estimate. Weaker trading income contributed to this underperformance, although the wealth and global banking divisions remained strong. The bank's stock experienced volatility following the unexpected departure of Chief Financial Officer Diego De Giorgi, who left to join Apollo Global Management Inc. His exit raised concerns among investors, resulting in a nearly 10% drop in stock value shortly after the announcement. However, shares have since recovered some of those losses.

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As the "Fit for Growth" cost-efficiency program approaches its final year, CEO Bill Winters is expected to outline the next phase of the bank's strategy at an upcoming investor event. This program, which encompasses numerous initiatives aimed at generating savings, has been a focal point of the bank's operational strategy under Winters' leadership, which has spanned over 11 years.

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While the bank's leadership remains optimistic about future growth, some analysts express concern over the impact of leadership changes and the bank's ability to maintain momentum in a challenging economic environment. The mixed results in the final quarter of 2025 have led to questions regarding the sustainability of its growth trajectory.

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• “We have made a good start to the year and continue to benefit from a supportive business environment,” — Bill Winters, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank.

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• “We are seeing robust growth in our larger markets, and structural shifts in global trade and investment play to our distinctive strengths serving our clients’ cross-border and affluent banking needs.” — Bill Winters, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank.

South China Morning Post