Standard Chartered PLC (02888) has announced its Hong Kong operations achieved an operating income of $3.0 billion for the first half of 2026 (period ending June 30), marking a 6.99% year-on-year increase. Pre-tax profit reached $1.61 billion, up 13.22% from the same period last year, setting a record for the fourth consecutive year of growth in both revenue and profit for the Hong Kong region during the first half.

The performance was notably driven by strong results in wealth management and retail banking. Revenue from affluent client business accelerated to a 28% year-on-year growth rate. In the corporate and investment banking segment, cross-border business revenue rose by 16%.

Mary Huen, Chief Executive of Standard Chartered Hong Kong and Greater China & North Asia, stated in an interview that the bank currently operates seven wealth management centers in Hong Kong and maintains its target of adding one new center annually. The bank is also continuing to hire additional frontline relationship managers. Beyond wealth management, Standard Chartered Hong Kong is expanding its team in digital asset services. However, some roles, such as bank tellers, have seen significant reductions as customers increasingly adopt digital services, keeping the total workforce steady at around 6,000.

Huen noted that in recent years, the bank has consistently hired for key business areas, including relationship managers with corridor business expertise, international bankers, and digital asset specialists. Simultaneously, Standard Chartered is actively upskilling its existing employees through training programs, including courses on artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge, aimed at enhancing overall workforce efficiency.