Standard Chartered (2888) posted a 6 percent rise in operating income to US$20.9 billion (HK$163.5 billion) last year and maintained a similar growth target for 2026.
Net interest income rose 1 percent to US$11.2 billion, despite the net interest margin dipping 3 basis points to 2.03 percent amid falling rates and margin compression.
Total credit impairment charge jumped by 21 percent to US676 million in 2025. Among them, wealth & retail banking impairment was down US$28 million, reflecting portfolio optimisation actions, while improved delinquency rates in virtual bank Mox helped cut the charge in ventures by US$14 million.
Corporate & Investment Banking impairment soared by US$124 million due to the prior year’s writeback.
The lender’s reported return on tangible equity was 11.9 percent last year, and it expects the figure to be greater than 12 percent this year.
The group also retained a China commercial real estate management overlay of US$36 million and a US$47 million overlay for clients who have exposure to the Hong Kong CRE sector.
During 2025, the CRE overlays reduced by US$11 million for Hong Kong and US$34 million for China, primarily driven by exposure movements and repayments.
Hong Kong remained the top contributor to the group, with underlying pre-tax profit surging 40 percent to US$2.66 billion, accounting for more than one-third of the group’s total.
Operating income for the SAR also grew 16.7 percent to US$5.35 billion.
