London, May 2, 2025 – Standard Chartered PLC posted Q1 2025 net profits of $1.44 billion, a 10% YoY increase, as corporate banking and trade finance revenues offset weaker retail performance.
Financial Performance:
- Revenue: $4.75 billion (+8% YoY)
- Corporate & Institutional Banking: $2.4 billion (+12% YoY)
- Retail Banking: $1.1 billion (-2% YoY, due to higher deposit costs)
- Trade Finance Income: $680 million (+9% YoY)
Key Drivers:
✔ Cross-border trade growth in Asia and Africa.
✔ Strong dollar liquidity services for multinational firms.
✔ Cost-cutting measures saved $150 million in Q1.
Challenges:
- Retail banking margins squeezed by deposit competition.
- China’s slowdown impacting trade volumes slightly.
CEO’s Statement:
“Our corporate banking arm is thriving, but we’re seeing pressure in retail. We’re accelerating digital solutions to improve efficiency.”
Analyst Reactions:
- Deutsche Bank: “Trade finance is a standout, but retail needs innovation.”
- Bloomberg Intelligence: “Standard Chartered’s corporate focus is paying off, but China remains a wild card.”
