Standard Chartered has revealed a $1.5 billion share buyback plan, shortly after experiencing a decline in its stock price following the departure of its chief financial officer.
The bank, which primarily operates in Asia, reported that its pre-tax profit rose by 2% to $814 million for the last quarter of 2025. However, this figure fell short of analysts’ expectations of $1.1 billion, based on estimates by the bank itself.
Bill Winters, who is the longest-serving CEO among major British banks, is expected to unveil a new strategic approach for Standard Chartered in May, aiming to finalize it soon after, according to sources close to his plans.
According to analysts at Jefferies, the previous CFO, Diego De Giorgi, was a key architect of the bank’s current strategy focused on growth, which seeks to trim waste and save around $1.5 billion by year-end.
Mr. De Giorgi, rumored to be a potential successor to Mr. Winters, suddenly resigned this month to join private equity firm Apollo. His departure led to a nearly 6% drop in the value of Standard Chartered’s shares on a single day, marking the sharpest decline since a significant tariff announcement by President Donald Trump last April.
Mr. Winters, who has a background working with Jamie Dimon at JPMorgan, took on the role of CEO at Standard Chartered in 2015. Speculation regarding his retirement has been a consistent theme in the market.
The bank’s profit in the fourth quarter was boosted by a 22% increase in its investment products and a 13% rise in insurance distribution, highlighting the growing significance of wealth management in Asia’s banking sector.
During the quarter, Standard Chartered also announced it had gained 72,000 new high-net-worth clients, resulting in $10 billion in net new capital. Approximately one-third of its clientele are Chinese nationals with funds held outside their home country.
Following the news, shares of Standard Chartered listed in Hong Kong rose nearly 3% on Tuesday.
Manus Costello, the head of investor relations for the bank, mentioned, “We haven’t slowed down at all in terms of wealth momentum,” noting that affluent clients are increasingly opting for investment products over mere savings.
On a less positive note, the operating profit from the bank’s international markets division, which includes macro trading, fell by 15% compared to the previous year, amounting to $660 million, signaling some caution in the market.
Standard Chartered also reported an adjusted return on tangible equity of 14.7% for the entire year, surpassing its 13% target a full year in advance. Additionally, the bank announced a final dividend of 49 cents per share.
“We are witnessing strong growth in our major markets, and the structural changes in global trade and investment are enhancing our unique capabilities in addressing the cross-border banking needs of our high-net-worth clients,” Winters stated.
