Standard Chartered in brief
- Rank: #34 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #6 of 9 in Banking & Financial Services.
- WCRC Power Score: 66.36 out of 100.
- Founded: 1969, by Merger of The Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China and The Standard Bank of British South Africa.
- Owner: Standard Chartered PLC, London, England.
- Leadership: Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive.
- Latest revenue: $20.9bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +6.0%), group revenue of Standard Chartered PLC, as per company filings.
What makes Standard Chartered powerful
Standard Chartered combines a British headquarters with a footprint built on emerging markets, and in 2025 that model delivered its best performance in years. Operating income rose 6% at constant currency to $20.9bn, underlying profit before tax climbed 18% to $7.9bn and statutory profit before tax also rose 18% to $7.0bn.
Return on tangible equity reached 14.7%, meeting the bank's three-year plan targets a year ahead of schedule. Growth is increasingly driven by wealth management, as affluent clients in its markets invest more, while its corporate network connects trade and capital flows between Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the West. Strong profits support shareholder returns: the bank announced a new $1.5bn buyback, and the full-year dividend per share rose 65%. That combination of growth markets and financial strength makes it one of Britain's most distinctive global banks.
Standard Chartered's underlying return on tangible equity reached 14.7% in 2025, meeting its three-year plan targets a year early.
Why Standard Chartered ranks #34
Standard Chartered ranks 34th with a WCRC Power Score of 66.36, between Sainsbury's above and Lush below. Digital and financial (72) and Positioning and recall (70) lift it, reflecting $20.9bn of operating income and a 14.7% return on tangible equity in 2025. Product and innovation (66) and Sustainability and governance (64) are middling, and Trust (62) holds it back, as its emerging-market footprint and past sanctions failings shape perceptions.
The Achilles' heel
Standard Chartered's strength is also its risk. Its earnings depend on markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, where geopolitical tension, trade disputes and economic slowdowns can hit quickly. Guidance for 2026 points to income growth near the lower end of 5% to 7%, suggesting the pace of improvement may slow as interest rates fall.
The 2026 story
In February 2026 Standard Chartered reported 2025 results showing operating income of $20.9bn and underlying profit before tax of $7.9bn, up 18%. Return on tangible equity of 14.7% met the bank's target a year early, and it launched a $1.5bn buyback while lifting the full-year dividend by 65%. For 2026, Bill Winters guided to statutory income growth near the lower end of 5% to 7%, broadly flat costs and a return on tangible equity above 12%.
Pillar profile
Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is Standard Chartered in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
Standard Chartered ranks #34 of 100 in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 66.36 out of 100.
What makes Standard Chartered powerful?
Deep networks across fast-growing Asian, African and Middle Eastern markets plus a growing wealth business, with returns now above target.
What is Standard Chartered's revenue?
$20.9bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +6.0%), group revenue of Standard Chartered PLC, as per company filings.
Who founded and owns Standard Chartered?
Standard Chartered was founded in 1969 by Merger of The Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China and The Standard Bank of British South Africa. It is owned by Standard Chartered PLC and based in London, England.
Who leads Standard Chartered?
Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive.
What is Standard Chartered's biggest challenge?
Heavy exposure to emerging markets and geopolitics, especially China and Hong Kong.
Also featured in
- Most powerful Banking & Financial Services brands
- UK's 50 Most Valuable Brands
- Biggest British Brands by Revenue
- Most powerful brands in England
Key facts
| Brand | Standard Chartered |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Standard Chartered PLC |
| Headquarters | London, England, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Founder(s) | Merger of The Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China and The Standard Bank of British South Africa |
| Leadership | Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive |
| Latest revenue | $20.9bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +6.0%), group revenue of Standard Chartered PLC, as per company filings |
| Sector | Banking & Financial Services |
| Website | sc.com |
| Home country | United Kingdom |
Sources
- Revenue figure published by Standard Chartered PLC
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
