Empowering investors with bespoke multi-asset strategies and fintech innovation
Standard Chartered combines cutting-edge digital platforms with tailored investment solutions to meet the diverse needs of retail and professional clients
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The benefits brought about by fintech innovation are tangible and transformative. Recognising that it not only makes banking inclusive, accessible and secure but also elevates the customer experience, Standard Chartered continually innovates its digital services while advancing product development to create exclusive offerings for more discerning clients.
This focus on innovation and client-centricity has contributed to Standard Chartered Group’s impressive performance in Q3 2024, with a 32 per cent year-on-year increase in Wealth Solutions income. This growth was underpinned by strong momentum in affluent new-to-bank onboarding, averaging approximately 65,000 new affluent clients per quarter.
Net new money (NNM) rose by 67 per cent year-on-year to US$10bn as of Q3 2024, while affluent assets under management (AUM) reached US$320bn, with Wealth AUM up 13 per cent. These results reflect the bank’s broad-based growth across markets and products.
"In Hong Kong, our focus on understanding client needs and staying attuned to market trends keeps us ahead of the fintech innovation curve," said Alson Ho, Managing Director and Head of Wealth Solutions, Standard Chartered Hong Kong (the Bank).
“While the Bank continues to pursue this digital vision, client satisfaction remains at the centre of the Bank’s overall strategy.”
Leveraging the Group’s unique network and capabilities with local expertise, Standard Chartered Hong Kong offers exclusive top-tier strategies that other financial institutions cannot provide. “Our product innovation is designed to meet the unique needs of our clients, offering them unparalleled opportunities for wealth growth," said Ho.
Such strategies enable clients to access third-party managers across traditional and alternative asset classes without bias or conflict of interest through an open architecture approach.
"We leverage the combined expertise of Standard Chartered and high-quality sub-investment managers to deliver exceptional investment solutions," Ho explained.
Recent rollouts include a US-focused multi-asset strategy designed to deliver returns comparable to the S&P 500 but with reduced risk through strategic diversification. Available exclusively in Asia through Standard Chartered, this innovative approach offers a unique investment opportunity.
Meanwhile, developed in partnership with Amundi, the Signature CIO Funds offer retail investors access to Standard Chartered’s Chief Investment Office (CIO) strategies through a globally diversified multi-asset portfolio of funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The portfolio is regularly monitored and rebalanced to meet various investment objectives and risk profiles.
With cumulative returns of 14 to 36 per cent since inception and US$2bn in AUM, Signature CIO Funds help clients get started on building long-term wealth. Tailored to various risk appetites, these globally diversified portfolios cut through investment complexities, guiding retail clients through their investment journey.
Hyper-personalised digital advisory powered by GenAI technology
A key focus of the Bank’s innovation efforts is improving the client journey to make it more engaging while helping them to arrive at informed decisions.
In the near future, the Bank will upgrade the award-winning “myWealth platform” by integrating advanced tools such as GenAI to provide a highly personalised advisory experience, including instant house views, portfolio trigger-based communication and tailored portfolio reports, delivering timely and actionable insights.
“With myWealth, clients can independently carry out portfolio health checks and access investment advice tailored to their holdings, goals and risk tolerance,” said Ho.
“Meanwhile, Relationship Managers can use GenAI to swiftly produce bite-sized, personalised summaries of portfolio performance reports for their clients. This integration allows clients to respond to market conditions more efficiently and effectively.”
Enhanced accessibility to investment products with digital investment tools
For Standard Chartered, the drive for innovation also includes expanding product offerings and making them accessible to a wider range of clients.
With the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates and mainland China introducing economic and market stimulus plans, the stock market has rebounded. Affluent customers are now more willing to invest in riskier products to achieve higher potential returns.
Against this backdrop, the Bank has introduced the Online Structured Product platform that enables retail banking clients, including Priority Private and Priority Banking clients, to trade structured products anytime and anywhere.
“Digital investment tools are now a major trend, and our online structured product platform puts more control in customers’ hands, making it easier for them to quickly and clearly understand the features and returns of the products,” said Ho.
Previously, clients primarily relied on their Relationship Managers to share tranche details and payoff structures, often obtaining product information piecemeal. This traditional approach typically required a lengthy order-taking process, with client suitability assessments and paperwork handled entirely “face-to-face".
The Online Structured Product platform transforms this experience by letting clients easily browse Standard Chartered-selected tranche details, compare various payoffs and place orders independently with just a few clicks, streamlining investment transactions and saving clients' valuable time.
Whether you are a retail investor looking for expertly managed portfolios or a professional investor searching for bespoke solutions, Standard Chartered’s digital-first approach helps clients tap into the tools and products they need to achieve their financial goals.
From bespoke CIO strategies to the digital advisory and investment tools, the Bank's focus on innovation drives seamless, tailored solutions for clients' diverse needs.