Standard Chartered profits up 27%

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 29, 2026

Standard Chartered reported a 27 percent rise in pre-tax profits to $2.25 billion in Q3, driven by strong gains in wealth management and global markets divisions. The bank raised its full-year revenue growth target and expects a return on tangible equity of around 14 percent, signaling confidence in continued recovery and growth despite regional challenges.

Standard Chartered reported a 27 percent increase in pre-tax profits for the third quarter, driven by strong performances in its wealth management and global markets divisions. The FTSE 100 bank posted pre-tax profits of $2.25 billion for the three months ending in September, surpassing analyst expectations of $1.99 billion.

Revenue at the bank’s wealth unit rose by 26 percent to $1.1 billion, supported by a record inflow of $20 billion in net new money during the quarter. Income from its global markets business also increased by 20 percent, reaching $1 billion. Overall revenues climbed 13 percent year-on-year to $5.78 billion.

Chief Executive Bill Winters described the quarter as “another strong” performance. The bank’s management raised its full-year revenue growth target beyond the previous range of 5 to 7 percent and now expects a return on tangible equity (RoTE) around 14 percent. This marks an upward revision from the 12 percent RoTE forecast issued at the half-year results and the 11.9 percent achieved in 2025.

Standard Chartered is headquartered in London but primarily focuses on emerging markets across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, with Hong Kong identified as its largest single market. Winters, who has led the bank since 2015, has overseen a significant turnaround following a period of struggles, including workforce reductions. In May, the bank announced plans to cut 8,000 back-office jobs by 2030 amid automation efforts involving artificial intelligence.

The bank’s shares have responded positively, rising 2.4 percent following the earnings release and trading above £20, a recovery from a low of 635 pence in February 2024 when Winters had publicly criticised the stock price.

Standard Chartered has approximately 5,000 employees in the Middle East. Finance Director Manus Costello acknowledged that the recent Gulf conflict caused some disruption but said operations have stabilized, although activity remains somewhat subdued. The bank recorded a $90 million provision for potential bad loans, which was lower than anticipated. This included a $34 million net charge related to the Middle East situation, reflecting anticipated impacts of higher energy prices on clients outside the region.

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