Picture a wealthy multi-generational family with homes spread across continents, children attending schools in different time zones and business interests ranging from private equity in Europe to consumer goods in the Middle East and technology startups in Asia. Their needs go beyond simply wealth management to encompass a comprehensive suite of solutions that address cross-border investments, risk management and legacy planning.
As they move through different stages of life, the priorities of these ultra-high net worth (UHNW) individuals and their families shift, from growing their assets to ensuring that wealth is transferred smoothly to their heirs. For many, their business ventures are also deeply intertwined with their personal wealth, making corporate finance just as critical as investment management.
Standard Chartered Global Private Bank has long understood these evolving needs, offering its UHNW clients a range of tailor-made solutions and services to achieve their objectives throughout their lives and wealth journeys.
In particular, Standard Chartered’s ability to meet cross-border needs, such as multi-currency accounts and international mortgages, is critical for these individuals. Families with children studying abroad, for instance, often require international financing options for property and education expenses. This level of flexibility is made possible through the bank’s global network and local expertise, making it a natural partner for clients managing assets across multiple jurisdictions.
For the more experienced clients and established business owners, the emphasis shifts toward wealth preservation and legacy planning. “The question becomes not only how to maintain wealth, but how to ensure it is passed on in a way that reflects the client’s values and vision for the future,” says Vinay Gandhi, Regional Head, Private Banking for Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Global Head, South Asian Community, Standard Chartered.
Here, Standard Chartered Global Private Bank’s family advisory and wealth planning services come into play, providing tailored guidance on topics ranging from succession planning to philanthropy.
A Flexible, Unbiased Approach
Central to Standard Chartered’s wealth management strategy is its open architecture model. This means that instead of advising solely on proprietary products, Standard Chartered sources its investment solutions from a global range of asset managers, ensuring unbiased recommendations that best suit each client’s unique needs.
“Our open architecture platform means we are not beholden to any single product or asset manager, which allows us to be completely client-focused,” says Gandhi. This flexibility enables the bank to partner with its clients to craft diversified investment portfolios that can adapt to both market conditions and clients’ changing priorities.
Furthermore, Standard Chartered’s investment approach ensures that portfolios are robust enough to weather market volatility, incorporating a variety of asset classes from traditional equities and bonds to alternative investments, such as private equity and hedge funds, while positioning clients to take advantage of long-term growth opportunities.
The Power of One-Bank Solutions
A key feature of Standard Chartered Global Private Bank’s service is its “one-bank” approach, which enables clients to tap on the capabilities of the entire Standard Chartered group to meet both their personal wealth and business needs through a single platform. This is particularly beneficial for the growing entrepreneurial UHNW client segment.
“We offer a holistic solution for clients with both persona l and corporate financing requirements. It’s not just about managing their personal wealth but also supporting their business activities through our corporate banking services,” Gandhi explains.
Leveraging the close collaboration between the bank’s private and corporate banking divisions, clients can access services like debt issuance, trade finance and syndicated loans in addition to personal wealth management.
A Specialist in Islamic Finance
Another area of expertise that Standard Chartered Global Private Bank has increasingly focused on is Islamic finance. With the global Islamic finance industry projected to grow from US$4.5 trillion in 2022 to US$6.7 trillion by 2027, the private bank is well-positioned to meet the Islamic financing needs of UHNW clients in key regions such as the Middle East, which has seen a rapid accumulation of wealth in recent years.
“Islamic finance is no longer a niche market, but a rapidly expanding area of wealth need,” says Gandhi.
Standard Chartered Saadiq, the Islamic finance arm of the bank, offers a wide range of Shariah-compliant products, from savings and current accounts to home finance and wealth management solutions. These products adhere strictly to Islamic principles, ensuring they are free from interest and other elements forbidden under Shariah law.
What makes Standard Chartered’s offering stand out in this space is its deep-rooted expertise across key markets in the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia. The bank’s long-standing presence in these regions, combined with its comprehensive Shariah-compliant systems, allows it to deliver financial solutions that align with clients’ ethical and religious beliefs.
Moreover, Standard Chartered’s Islamic solutions are crafted with expert guidance from its global Supervisory Committee of Shariah scholars, adding to the robustness of its offerings.
Standard Chartered has won numerous awards for its Islamic finance offerings in the past few years. In 2024 alone, the bank was honored with Euromoney’s “Best Islamic Bank” awards in the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Crafting a Meaningful Legacy
Philanthropy and sustainable investing are also becoming increasingly important for many UHNW clients, particularly those focused on leaving a meaningful legacy. Standard Chartered helps clients integrate these elements into their wealth plans, guiding them on sustainable investing opportunities and philanthropic initiatives that align with their long-term goals.
By offering solutions that meet its clients’ entire spectrum of needs, Standard Chartered Global Private Bank is helping UHNW families navigate their financial journeys with confidence, from growing their assets to preserving their legacies for future generations. Says Gandhi, “Our mission is simple: to provide solutions that meet our clients’ needs today, and support their ambitions for the future.”
