StanChart forecast strong growth

Standard Chartered Group anticipates to deliver 10 percent return on tangible equity and generate significant surplus capital by 2021, thus improving the bank business operations in Africa, Asia and Middle East.

The group announced that the refreshed priorities focus on investing to accelerate growth in the group’s differentiated network and affluent client businesses, optimizing performance in lower-returning markets and building on existing digital credentials to innovate.

“These actions will position standard Chartered as the leading bank for clients based or doing business in Asia, Africa and Middle East,”  In its year-end December 2018 results, the group recorded six percent increase in profit before tax to $2,5 billion, while the operating income increased by five percent $15 billion.

Commenting on the results, Standard Chartered Group CEO, Bill Winters said they have made tremendous progress securing the foundations since 2015. “Our refreshed priorities will help realize the true value of the franchise. We will measure this not only in monetary terms with double digit equity returns and significant shareholder distributions targeted by 2021,” said Winters, adding that they are determined to drive commerce and help their clients achieve prosperity.

Through the new priorities, Winters said they intend to distribute to shareholders, surplus capital that is not deployed to fund additional growth. The company also targets income compound growth rate at five to seven percent. “We are cautiously optimistic on the global macroeconomic environment but the range of possible outcomes is wider than it has been in a long time.”