Standard Chartered is redirecting its wealth management clients toward hedge fund strategies to provide protection against market volatility. The bank’s own hedge fund assets under management surged fivefold over 16 months leading up to July 2026. Its wealth division reported 38% growth in first-half 2026 income, driven by increased investment product sales as clients sought alternatives to traditional stocks and bonds. The broader hedge fund industry reached a record $5.6 trillion in assets under management by mid-2026, with funds delivering an average 7% return in the first half, nearly double their 10-year average. In February 2026, the bank launched a fund-of-hedge-funds called STAR in partnership with Seviora Capital, initially targeting high-net-worth clients in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Jersey.
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