Standard Chartered hits record profit

Standard Chartered PLC has delivered its strongest quarterly performance on record, posting a pre-tax profit of $1.9 billion for the first three months of 2026.

The bank's wealth management and global markets divisions drove the gains, offsetting the impact of higher interest rates on its lending business.

However, the results were tempered by a $190 million impairment charge specifically linked to the economic fallout from the war in Iran.

Despite the geopolitical risks, management remains confident in its full-year targets, citing the resilience of its core markets in Asia and the Middle East.