Standard Chartered said in its Q3 trading update on Thursday that it now expects to deliver a return on tangible equity (RoTE) of around 13% in 2025, hitting its profitability target a year ahead of schedule, as strong performances in Wealth Solutions and Global Banking lifted third-quarter results.
Group Chief Executive Bill Winters said progress was “broad-based,” with “strong double-digit growth in Wealth Solutions and Global Banking, alongside good momentum in our Global Markets flow business.”
The bank’s operating income rose 5% year-on-year to $5.1 billion, supported by a 27% jump in Wealth Solutions income, a record quarter, and a 23% increase in Global Banking, driven by higher origination and capital markets activity.
Non-interest income climbed 12% to $2.4 billion, offsetting a 1% decline in net interest income to $2.7 billion.
Profit before tax came in at $2 billion, with operating expenses up 4% to $3 billion due to growth investments.
Credit impairment charges totalled $195 million, lower in the Wealth & Retail Banking division thanks to unsecured portfolio optimisation.
Standard Chartered reaffirmed its strong balance sheet, with a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 14.2%, and said it plans to return at least $8 billion to shareholders between 2024 and 2026.
The bank also raised its 2025 income growth guidance to the upper end of the 5–7% range and maintained its expense and capital targets, underscoring a confident outlook as it focuses on affluent and cross-border clients across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.