Standard Chartered has raised its full-year revenue and net interest income forecasts after third-quarter pre-tax profit rose 27% to $2.25bn (£1.69bn).

The Edinburgh-based bank, which is focused on Asia where the vast majority of its profits come from, smashed expectations with a better-than-expected set of results.

Operating income increased 14% to $5.8bn, while return on tangible equity improved to 15.7% from 10.5% a year earlier. The bank now expects revenue growth towards the upper end of its 5% to 7% target range and net interest income to rise 4%, up from its previous 3% forecast, as margins on its loan book held steady at 2.03%.

Growth was driven by strong performance in wealth management and trading rather than higher interest rates. Wealth Solutions revenue climbed 26%, delivering a third consecutive record quarter, while Global Markets revenue increased 21% amid strong client trading activity. Fee-based and other non-interest income rose 19%, highlighting the bank's growing reliance on revenue streams beyond traditional lending.

The results put Standard Chartered on course for record annual profits and dividends in 2026, alongside further shareholder returns through buybacks.

CEO Bill Winters said: “We delivered another strong quarter, with broad-based growth across our businesses and year-to-date earnings per share up 27%. We have long believed that the structural shifts in trade, investment and wealth creation would create significant opportunities for Standard Chartered, and our performance this quarter provides further evidence that we are capturing them.

"The consistency and breadth of our performance reflects the strength of our franchise and disciplined execution across the Group. This gives us confidence to raise our 2026 income guidance, and we now expect to deliver a RoTE of around 14% in 2026.”

Shares were up as much as 8% in early Wednesday trading.

“Domestic banks may be in the sights of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget, but Asia-focused Standard Chartered is pleasing shareholders with a set of third-quarter results that are so good, chief executive Bill Winters is able to raise profit forecasts for 2026 as a whole,” said AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.

“In a stark contrast to HSBC, Standard Chartered is increasing its guidance for net interest income for the year, as margins on its loan book hold firm. The bank’s Wealth Management and Financial Markets arms are also performing strongly."

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