Standard Chartered India recorded a robust 15% growth in profit before tax for the 2025 calendar year, reaching $542 million. This double-digit expansion was achieved despite a 3% decline in operating income, which settled at $1.49 billion. The performance highlights a strategic shift toward cost efficiency and improved risk management within the region. Operational expenses in India were reduced by 5%, falling to $912 million. Even more significant was the 59% drop in total provisions and credit impairments, which plummeted to $45 million from the previous year’s $109 million. These figures reflect a high-quality credit environment and disciplined balance sheet management, even as total loans and advances saw a minor contraction of 5% to $12.28 billion. India has now climbed to the fourth-largest contributor to the bank’s global profits. This rise comes as the contribution from China saw a 24% decline, dropping to $376 million. Globally, the group’s pre-tax profit rose 16% to $7.9 billion, supported by a 24% surge in wealth management solutions and strong momentum in global banking. The broader Indian banking sector continues to show exceptional resilience. As of early 2026, the industry has achieved record aggregate net profits, with public sector bank profits rising to ₹1.78 lakh crore. Gross non-performing assets across the sector have reached a multi-decade low of approximately 2.31%, while capital adequacy ratios remain strong at over 17%. Economic indicators support this financial stability. India’s GDP growth for the current fiscal is projected at 7.4%, the fastest among G-20 economies. While retail inflation saw a slight uptick to 2.75% in January 2026, it remains well within the central bank's target range. This has allowed the Reserve Bank of India to maintain a stable policy rate environment, with the 10-year benchmark bond yield recently softening to 6.68%. Standard Chartered’s strategy for the coming year focuses heavily on the "Global Indian" and "Global Chinese" wealth corridors. The bank is leveraging its position as a leading international manager to capture increasing cross-border wealth flows. Following a $1.5 billion share buyback and a 65% increase in full-year dividends, the institution is positioned to capitalize on India’s role as a primary engine of global growth through 2026.