Standard Chartered forays into GIFT City with launch of Signature CIO Funds

Standard Chartered on Friday announced the launch of its wealth solutions from Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), expanding the range of international investment options available to its affluent clients in India.

The bank is launching its Signature CIO Funds, a suite of four funds that bring its Chief Investment Office (CIO) investment strategies to clients through diversified, multi-asset portfolios. Additional wealth solutions will be introduced over time, according to a press release.

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Developed in partnership with Amundi Asset Management and SBI Funds International (IFSC), the Signature CIO Funds are designed to cater to different investment objectives and risk appetites. They invest across global equities, bonds, commodities, liquid alternatives and cash.

The launch marks an important milestone in Standard Chartered’s wealth proposition in India, following approval from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to distribute capital market products from GIFT City. It enables the bank to expand its suite of wealth solutions, leveraging its international network and wealth capabilities to meet clients’ evolving needs, the release said.

Standard Chartered was the first foreign bank to commence operations in GIFT City in 2020 and currently offers a comprehensive suite of banking services to corporate and institutional clients.

The launch of wealth solutions builds on this presence and further strengthens the bank’s ability to serve clients across their banking and wealth management needs through one of the world’s fastest-growing international financial centres.

As Indian investors become increasingly global in their outlook, international diversification is becoming an important consideration in how affluent clients construct and manage their portfolios. Alongside access to international opportunities, clients are increasingly seeking trusted insights, professional portfolio construction and simpler ways to navigate global markets.

“India’s wealth landscape is evolving rapidly, and our clients are increasingly looking to diversify their portfolios and access opportunities across global markets. The launch of Signature CIO Funds reflects GIFT City’s growing relevance as an international financial centre and creates another avenue for us to bring our wealth capabilities to clients in India,” said Samir Subberwal, Global Head, Wealth Solutions, Retail Products, Data & Analytics, Standard Chartered.

By combining our CIO-led portfolio strategies with our global network and investment expertise, we can give clients a simpler way to access diversified international opportunities aligned to their investment objectives and risk appetites. As we build our wealth proposition in GIFT City, we see significant potential to bring more of Standard Chartered’s international investment solutions to our clients in India over time.

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Since their launch in 2022, the Signature CIO Funds have attracted more than $5 billion in assets under management and are now available across 13 markets, with GIFT City being the latest addition.

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