Samir Subberwal drives retail banking growth in Asia for Standard Chartered

The International Council of Advisors praised Subberwal’s extensive experience and transformational leadership in enhancing Standard Chartered’s position as a leading retail banking franchise in Asia. 

Standard Chartered has built and continues to strengthen its operationally diverse footprint across 13 markets in Asia. By introducing greater discipline into each market and improving profitability, both in the short and long term, Subberwal has successfully built a robust business engine in the region, putting the franchise on a steady course of returns. Additionally, the bank's outstanding digital transformation strategy, which includes operating two thriving digital banks in Hong Kong and Singapore, has further strengthened its position.

Since his appointment as the head of Consumer, Private and Business Banking in Asia in 2021, overall profitability of the business improved dramatically, where return on tangible equity improved by more than 60% and economic value added grew by four times during this period. This was accompanied by sound management of risk weighted assets and optimisation of nonperforming loan provisions and charges as well.

Despite challenging operating conditions, under Subberwal’s leadership, Standard Chartered has made significant achievements in delivering on its three key strategic priorities across all markets, which saw tangible improvements for both customer and the retail banking business. Under his leadership the bank successfully launched and further expanded Priority Private (“PP”) clients, expanded the international banking business, and drove a hybrid online-offline wealth model that yielded improved client and relationship manager interaction.

Further, the council notes the introduction of new digital capabilities on top of strengthening existing ones, and sound strategic partnerships such as the credit card and personal loan partnership with Cathay Cards and Alipay in Hong Kong, Atome and Kredivo in Indonesia, and Toss Bank in Korea.

To prepare Standard Chartered for the future and the rapidly transforming banking industry, you actively support talent development and innovation programmes such as SCVentures, Wealth Academy with INSEAD, and the International Relationship Manager programme.

His leadership at Standard Chartered, marked by notable performance and achievements, secured his recognition as Retail Finance Leader of the Year 2023.

For details about evaluation criteria and council of advisors of the Leadership Achievement Award programme,visit https://www.asianbankerawards.com/leadership/

To view the photo gallery of the Leadership Achievement Award ceremony, visit