South Indian Bank, headquartered in Thrissur, Kerala, is a prominent private-sector bank in India with a rich history. Established in 1929, it has grown significantly, establishing a widespread network across the nation. The bank operates a substantial network of branches and ATMs/CRMs, spanning across numerous states and union territories in India, allowing them to serve a large customer base. South Indian Bank offers a comprehensive range of banking services, including personal banking, NRI banking, business banking, and various financial products. These include savings accounts, loans, insurance, and investment services. The bank has embraced digital transformation, providing customers with modern banking facilities through internet and mobile banking platforms. It operates as a scheduled commercial bank, and is traded on the Indian Stock Exchanges. While having a national presence, the bank maintains a strong presence in southern India, particularly in Kerala. In essence, South Indian Bank is a well-established institution that plays a vital role in the Indian financial sector, combining traditional banking values with modern technological advancements.

Latest News on Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered’s Private Banking division provides high-net-worth individuals with bespoke sports investment opportunities

Standard Chartered, a global bank, has launched a new fund that allows high net worth individuals (HNWIs) and ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) to invest in the sports industry. The fund, managed by an external manager, focuses on sports, media, and entertainment opportunities, tapping into the growing interest in sports investing. This move makes Standard Chartered one of the first banks to offer such a fund across its global footprint.

The demand for sports investing is fueled by the rapid growth of the media industry, with major sports leagues globally signing record-breaking broadcasting deals. Recent high-profile sports-related transactions among leading family offices have also sparked interest in sports investing as an alternative asset class for UHNWIs. For example, Blue Pool Capital, the Hong Kong-based family office of Alibaba co-founder Joe Tsai and owner of the NBA team Brooklyn Nets, is a notable sports investor.

According to Samir Subberwal, global head of wealth solutions, deposits, and mortgages, and chief client officer at Standard Chartered, “We have observed strong growing interest from our clients in alternative asset classes such as sports investing.” He notes that the growing media industry is an impetus for the bank to act, and that it is timely to leverage the expertise of leading global fund managers to connect HNWIs and UHNWIs to professionally managed solutions that provide access to hard-to-access opportunities.

The new fund is available to high net worth clients within Standard Chartered’s global private bank. This move is expected to attract a range of investors, including HNWIs and UHNWIs who are looking for new and exciting investment opportunities in the sports industry.

Standard Chartered, OKX, and Franklin Templeton unveil a pilot project for a new trading platform that uses tokenized funds as collateral.

Standard Chartered, OKX, and Franklin Templeton have launched a pilot trading platform that enables institutional clients to use cryptocurrencies and tokenized money market funds as collateral in off-exchange transactions. The platform aims to meet institutional security, regulatory compliance, and liquidity standards. Franklin Templeton’s Digital Assets division will provide tokenized on-chain assets that OKX clients can integrate into their trading and risk management workflows. The structure enables true ownership and near-instantaneous settlement, removing reliance on traditional infrastructure and aligning operational speed with blockchain-based systems.

The platform also onboarded Brevan Howard Digital, a division of the global alternative investment manager Brevan Howard, as one of its first participants. The program operates within the Dubai Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) framework and aims to provide capital efficiency and enhanced asset protection through custody arrangements with a globally systemically important bank (G-SIB). Under the pilot structure, Standard Chartered will act as the independent custodian, while OKX will manage the collateral and facilitate transaction execution.

The initiative addresses institutional demand for trusted digital asset custody and supports the safe use of blockchain-based products in trading environments. According to Margaret Harwood-Jones, global head of financing and securities services at Standard Chartered, the collaboration leverages the bank’s established custody infrastructure to provide a secure mechanism for holding digital collateral.

The platform seeks to facilitate the broader adoption of tokenized instruments in institutional trading by enabling institutions to post digital assets as collateral while maintaining regulatory safeguards and custodial segregation. The program is designed to be regulatory-grade and suitable for institutional participants, with OKX’s infrastructure combined with Standard Chartered’s custody services creating a secure environment for trading.

This collaboration aims to provide a solution for institutions to use digital assets as collateral, which can be a game-changer for the industry. It demonstrates the increasing availability of compliant infrastructure for large-scale participation in the digital asset sector and the institutionalization of the market. The pilot platform has the potential to increase capital efficiency and asset protection, making it an attractive option for institutional investors.

Can we accelerate progress towards achieving our growth target?

The current US-China trade tensions are causing significant economic disruption, with China’s GDP growth expected to be negatively impacted by a substantial 1.8% due to the existing tariff rates. The tariffs on Chinese goods have surged to 142% and on US goods to 157%. Any further increases in tariffs are likely to have a diminishing impact on China’s growth, according to Standard Chartered economists.

The economists believe that the current situation presents a “perfect storm” with significant challenges to China’s growth prospects. However, they also emphasize that there are mitigating factors at play, including a 90-day delay in non-China reciprocal tariffs by the US, which should keep goods with China-produced content flowing to the US. Additionally, a moderate depreciation of the Chinese yuan (CNY) could act as a shock absorber.

To offset the impact of the US tariffs on its net exports, China can explore new export destinations and reduce its reliance on overall imports. The economists also anticipate that China’s government will roll out further stimulus measures to prevent growth from severely undershooting its 5% target.

Therefore, they recommend a further CNY 1.5-2.0 trillion (1.0-1.5% of GDP) fiscal stimulus, which is gradually introduced in two phases. The timing of the next Planned meeting of the Politburo in late April and July are critical in assessing the government’s readiness to introduce additional stimulus. Standard Chartered economists also warn of downside risks to China’s growth from a potential global recession and repercussions on domestic employment.

Recent Updates

Standard Chartered predicts AVAX will soar to new heights by 2029, according to CoinJournal.

Financial institution Standard Chartered predicts that the price of AVAX, the native cryptocurrency of the Avalanche blockchain, could increase tenfold by 2029. This forecast suggests that AVAX could reach major highs in the coming years, driven by the growing adoption of the Avalanche ecosystem.

Avalanche is known for its fast and environmentally friendly consensus algorithm, allowing it to process transactions and perform smart contracts at a rapid pace. The platform has gained popularity among developers and users, leading to an increase in the demand for AVAX.

Standard Chartered’s prediction is based on the current momentum in the cryptocurrency market, which has seen a significant recovery following a tumultuous 2022. The announcement of China’s plans to reduce tariffs on cryptocurrency-related imports has also boosted market sentiment, with many investors turning to digital assets as a safe-haven asset.

Meanwhile, the price of AVAX has been steadily increasing, with some analysts predicting that it could reach $20 in the near future. This milestone would bring the cryptocurrency to a significant level, potentially attracting even more investors and traders.

The Avalanche ecosystem has been experiencing significant growth, with the adoption of its token, SUI, also showing signs of acceleration. The two tokens, AVAX and SUI, are often mentioned together, as they are both used to power the Avalanche blockchain.

Industry experts believe that the increasing adoption of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications and the growing popularity of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) will continue to drive the demand for AVAX and other cryptocurrencies. As a result, it is likely that the price of AVAX will continue to rise in the coming years, potentially reaching the highs predicted by Standard Chartered.

Overall, the future outlook for AVAX looks promising, with the cryptocurrency experiencing significant growth in recent months and a potential multi-fold increase by 2029. As the decentralized finance landscape continues to evolve, investors and traders will be closely monitoring the development of AVAX and other cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin’s resilience could make it a strong contender, similar to the powerful and unyielding characters in The Magnificent Seven.

Standard Chartered, a leading bank, has recently issued a report that suggests Bitcoin could become a strong hedge against US isolation and potentially return a staggering $88,500 this weekend. The bank’s analysts are urging investors to “HODL” (hold on for dear life) their Bitcoin positions, citing the cryptocurrency’s potential to stand out as a shiny armor against the looming threat of inflation.

As inflation concerns continue to brew, Standard Chartered believes that Bitcoin’s store of value and limited supply make it an attractive asset to diversify a portfolio. The bank’s report highlights the Magnificent Seven, a group of precious metals and commodities, as a decent hedge against inflation. However, it suggests that Bitcoin could emerge as the strongman of the group, providing a significant return on investment.

The bank’s analysts are not alone in their optimism. A recent report by Nasdaq suggests that Bitcoin could be an excellent crypto to buy and hold for decades, citing its increasing institutional adoption and decreasing volatility. According to Cointribune, Bitcoin’s decentralized and limited supply make it an attractive defense against inflation, allowing it to maintain its purchasing power over time.

CEO Today’s article further cements Bitcoin’s reputation as a strong defense against inflation. The article highlights the cryptocurrency’s potential to protect wealth during periods of high inflation, citing its ability to retain its value while other assets lose value.

In conclusion, Standard Chartered’s report and other recent articles suggest that Bitcoin could be a wise investment for those looking to hedge against inflation and potentially generate significant returns. The cryptocurrency’s unique combination of decentralized and limited supply, as well as its increasing institutional adoption, make it an attractive asset for investors seeking a store of value. As inflation concerns continue to rise, Bitcoin’s value may continue to appreciate, making it a potentially lucrative addition to a diversified investment portfolio.

After recent controversy surrounding its Safe Wallet, Bybit has partnered with Zodia Custody, a custodian backed by Standard Chartered, to bolster its security offerings

Bybit, a cryptocurrency exchange, has partnered with Zodia Custody, a crypto custodian, to provide institutional clients with segregated custody and off-exchange settlement solutions. This partnership aims to reduce the risk of exposure and provide transparent fees to clients. Bybit’s institutional arm, which targets larger investors, will use Zodia to ensure that assets are kept separate and isolated from the exchange, minimizing the risk of co-mingling and the potential for hackers to access the funds.

The partnership allows institutional clients to trade on Bybit while keeping their assets with Zodia Custody, ensuring full segregation and elimination of co-mingling. This setup also eliminates the need for pre-funding exchange accounts, which minimizes exposure to exchange-side vulnerabilities and improves capital efficiency.

This partnership comes after Bybit experienced a security breach in February, where hackers stole around $1.46 billion worth of cryptocurrency. Although the exchange was able to reclaim some of the stolen funds, a significant portion remains untraceable. The new partnership aims to provide an additional layer of security for institutional clients, who are seeking to minimize their exposure to risk.

Bybit’s CEO, Ben Zhou, has stated that 88% of the stolen funds are still traceable, and the company is working to recover the remaining funds. The partnership with Zodia Custody is seen as a key step in reducing the risk of future security breaches and providing a more secure trading environment for institutional clients.

The partnership offers a solution for institutional investors who are hesitant to trade on exchanges due to security concerns. Bybit and Zodia Custody’s partnership will provide a safe and secure environment for institutional clients to trade and store their assets, with the added benefit of transparent fees and reduced risk exposure.

According to a new report from Standard Chartered, Avalanche (AVAX) is poised to outpace both Bitcoin and Ethereum by the end of 2029, marking a notable milestone in the cryptocurrency’s rapid ascendance.

Standard Chartered analyst Geoff Kendrick is predicting major gains for Avalanche’s AVAX token, believing it will outperform both Bitcoin and Ethereum in the coming years. Kendrick initiated coverage on AVAX with a price target of $55 by the end of 2025, increasing to $100 by 2026, $150 by 2027, $200 by 2028, and $250 by the end of 2029. He cites the network’s unique approach to achieving scale through the use of subnets or sidechains, which has already seen a quarter of active subnets become Etna-compatible. The network’s growing developer numbers, following a December upgrade that reduced the cost of establishing a subnet to nearly zero, are also seen as encouraging. With a market cap of $9 billion, Avalanche is currently the 15th-largest cryptocurrency and the 10th-largest by total value locked. Kendrick believes the token is well-positioned to profit from incremental improvements and is a strong candidate for a big impact. He expects AVAX to more than 10x its current price by the end of 2029, reaching $250.

Measuring the Effect of US-Related International Uncertainty on Global Markets – Standard Chartered

The article discusses the expected persistence of uncertainty in global trade policy, despite the approaching “Liberation Day” on April 2. According to Standard Chartered’s economist Madhur Jha, the heightened trade policy uncertainty (TPU) is likely to lower global GDP growth by 1.0-1.5%. This impact is expected to be most significant for the US and other major economies. The article highlights three main channels through which heightened TPU can affect global growth: a drop in trade and capital flows, a decline in business investment, and lower consumer confidence.

The article also notes that academic studies suggest that the negative impact of TPU is not limited to tariffs alone, but can have broader effects on the economy. Moreover, the article cites a two-country structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) analysis, which estimated the impact of rising TPU on selected emerging market (EM) economies. The analysis found that the drop in output and CPI was small and short-lived, with no significant impact on short-term interest rates. However, some currencies, such as those of Mexico and Indonesia, did weaken in response to heightened TPU, suggesting that other factors, such as central bank credibility, are at play.

Overall, the article concludes that the expected continuation of trade policy uncertainty will likely have a significant impact on global growth, particularly for major economies. However, the impact on interest rates and exchange rates is expected to be limited, and other factors may also play a role.

Launched by Standard Chartered, the ‘Global Chinese Services’ initiative revolutionizes financial services for international Chinese communities.

Standard Chartered Bank has been a key player in China’s modernization for nearly 170 years, and to celebrate its rich history, the bank has opened an exhibition in Shanghai called “PIXEL HORIZONS 1858-2025:Standard Chartered Global Chinese CONTINUUM”. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the bank’s long history in China. In addition to its legacy, Standard Chartered has pioneered an innovative approach called “Global Chinese Services” aimed at catering to the needs of the global Chinese community.

This ambitious initiative involves a holistic service system that recognizes the cultural nuances of the global Chinese community, elevating the bank’s business offerings and refining its service and communication strategies. The goal is to provide localized expertise to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to expand overseas, enabling them to navigate international markets with greater ease. The bank’s worldwide network can offer customized financial solutions, trade financing, foreign exchange services, and market insights.

Moreover, the bank’s “3P Theory” (product-led, proposition-led, purpose-led) theory is centered around mission-driven value creation in cross-cultural commerce. The bank recognizes the importance of cultural nuances in business, ensuring that its international clientele receive personalized services tailored to their needs. This forward-thinking approach is reflective of the bank’s commitment to innovation and adaptability, demonstrating its ability to evolve and respond to changing market conditions.

By showcasing its global Chinese services, Standard Chartered Bank is positioned to play a vital role in China’s continued global integration and economic growth. Its ability to offer integrated global resources, expert advice, and seamless transactions makes it an attractive partner for businesses looking to expand overseas.

StanChart optimistic on China’s economic outlook

Standard Chartered PLC’s group CEO, Bill Winters, is optimistic about China’s economic prospects and has adjusted the bank’s business strategies to align with the country’s economic trends. He believes it is possible for China to meet its economic targets, citing positive developments and concrete actions to support economic growth. Winters highlights the rapid growth of China’s private sector, particularly in new technologies such as AI, and the bank’s partnerships with leading Chinese tech companies. He notes the opportunities for Chinese companies to expand globally and distribute their technologies, despite pushback in some sectors.

Winters also emphasizes the importance of policy consistency and predictability for private companies to thrive, which he believes is being supported by the Chinese government. He is confident in the Chinese economy and private sector, with the bank actively supporting their growth through lending and international expansion.

On the topic of tariffs and trade disputes, Winters predicts that many proposed tariffs will not materialize as everyone loses from tariffs. Even if substantial tariffs are applied, he believes China has tools to offset the impact, such as targeted fiscal and monetary stimulus. Standard Chartered is firmly committed to China and the global economic growth prospects, with Winters expressing support for the country’s efforts to promote the high-quality development of the private sector.

Overall, Winters’ comments convey a sense of optimism about China’s economic prospects, with a focus on the country’s private sector and its rapid advancements in new technologies. He also highlights the importance of policy consistency and predictability for private companies, which he believes is being supported by the Chinese government.

According to Standard Chartered, the US dollar may experience a resurgence in strength by 2025, offering investors a compelling investment opportunity.

According to a report by Standard Chartered, the dollar may not be as strong in 2025, a prediction that contradicts the widespread assumption that the US currency will continue to rise in value. The bank’s analysts have predicted that the dollar’s strength will be renewed later in 2025, rather than experiencing a prolonged period of growth.

The report cites several factors that could contribute to this reversal, including the potential for the Federal Reserve to slow down the pace of interest rate hikes, the strengthening of other major currencies such as the euro and yen, and the impact of global trade tensions on the US economy. Additionally, the report notes that the dollar’s current strength is largely a function of its status as a safe-haven currency, which could dissipate as global markets stabilize and investor sentiment improves.

The report also highlights the challenge that the US faces in maintaining its economic growth momentum, with the country’s economy experiencing a slowdown in the second half of 2023 and the potential for inflation to rise again in 2025. This, combined with the increasing risk of a global economic downturn, could lead to a reevaluation of the dollar’s value and a potential reversal of its upward trend.

Furthermore, the report suggests that the dollar’s role as a reserve currency may also be overshadowed by other currencies, particularly the euro, which has been gaining popularity as a safe-haven asset due to the European Central Bank’s more dovish monetary policy.

In conclusion, according to Standard Chartered’s report, the dollar’s strength is expected to be renewed later in 2025, driven by factors such as the potential for slower interest rate hikes, the strengthening of other major currencies, and the impact of global trade tensions on the US economy. The report challenges the widespread assumption that the dollar will continue to rise in value and highlights the potential for a reversal in its value in the future.