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Standard Chartered Thrives with Flexible Work Model, Defies Industry Trend
4 Aug
Summary
- Standard Chartered CEO embraces flexible work, allowing teams to manage schedules
- Bank reports 48% jump in Q2 2025 pre-tax profit, crediting flexible model
- Contrasts with rivals like JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs tightening office attendance
As of August 4th, 2025, Standard Chartered Bank is bucking the industry trend by embracing a flexible work model that is paying dividends. In a recent interview, CEO Bill Winters emphasized the bank's commitment to empowering its teams, stating, "We work with adults, and the adults can have an adult conversation with other adults and decide how they're going to best manage their team."
This hands-off approach has helped Standard Chartered retain talent and maintain a productive workforce. In the second quarter of 2025, the bank reported a remarkable 48% jump in pre-tax profit, which Winters attributes to the success of the flexible model. He commented on the strong results, saying they are "testament to our ability to deliver exceptional services in support of our clients' needs, and it is clear that our strategy is working."
This contrasts sharply with the actions of industry rivals like JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and HSBC, which have all tightened office attendance requirements in the past year. Winters dismisses such concerns, insisting that with the right leadership, teams remain collaborative and engaged, and that forcing staff into rigid molds can actually hinder, rather than help, performance.
