How Standard Chartered Adapts to the Evolving Financial Needs of Vietnamese Clients

As Vietnamese consumers expand their financial priorities, from investment and wealth accumulation to cross-border transactions, international banks are under pressure to enhance service quality and respond swiftly to new expectations. With a long-standing presence in Vietnam, Standard Chartered discusses how it applies technology, personalizes financial solutions, and capitalizes on its global capabilities to better serve local clients. NCDT Magazine talked with Mr. Shezad Arif, Head, Wealth Retail Banking, Vietnam & Brunei Global Head Distribution Network Standard Chartered Bank.

How does Standard Chartered stay ahead of market trends to provide the best service to clients in Vietnam?

Standard Chartered excels in understanding the unique needs and value propositions of its Vietnamese clients. The bank employs highly skilled Relationship Managers equipped with comprehensive market insights and tailored financial solutions, supported by state-of-the-art digital tools and platforms. This enables them to deliver seamless, efficient, and personalized services.

Leveraging a global network of offices and analysts, Standard Chartered provides up-to-date insights and analysis on global economic trends, market movements, local economic indicators, regulatory changes, and emerging trends. This information is crucial for making informed investment decisions. The bank's experienced specialists offer complete guidance for investment, insurance, and forex needs.

As a leading international banking institution with over 120 years of our operations in Vietnam and  over 170 years of serving clients in 54 markets, Standard Chartered delivers ‘best in class’ customer value propositions & experiences to our clients. Standard Chartered offer’s a comprehensive range of product and services for our Affluent, Emerging Affluent & SME clients, backed by cutting edge digital platforms and dedicated relationship managers, which makes Standard Chartered an ideal financial partner in Vietnam.

How does Standard Chartered tailor its services to meet the unique needs of Vietnamese priority clients, and what specific benefits can these clients expect from banking with an international bank like Standard Chartered?

Standard Chartered is committed to providing Vietnamese priority clients with a unique blend of global expertise and local knowledge, delivering tailored financial solutions and exclusive benefits that help them achieve their financial goals and enhance their overall banking experience. Standard Chartered has been named Best Priority Baking in Vietnam 2025 from the prestigious Global Business Outlook Award, reinforcing its unwavering commitment to innovation and providing its clients with a seamless banking experience.

The bank designs bespoke financial services tailored to individual needs, including personalized banking, advisory-led wealth management solutions, and access to global opportunities for wealth growth. Priority clients enjoy privileges such as preferential interest rates, tailored wealth solutions, and lifestyle benefits.

To empower clients in making informed financial decisions, Standard Chartered offers comprehensive market insights through market outlook reports, investment webinars, and offline events. Clients benefit from a full suite of solutions to grow and protect their wealth across investments, insurance, direct equity, and forex, supported by a team of experienced specialists.

An exclusive Vietnam Market Outlook session reserved for our Priority and Affluent clients in both Ho Chi Minh City (27 November) and Hanoi (2 December).

What support does Standard Chartered provide for clients with international mobility, such as frequent travellers or those with assets in multiple countries?

Standard Chartered positions itself as a trusted long-term advisor, offering Vietnam-tailored Priority Banking with global-level personalization and digital enablement of premium services. Clients can access a range of debit and credit cards designed for international use, ensuring seamless transactions while traveling outside Vietnam.

Standard Chartered Bank, Thang Long Branch.

The bank extends priority client status across its global network, allowing clients to enjoy premium services and benefits in any country where it operates. The Global Link service enables clients to link and manage their Standard Chartered accounts across different countries through a single online platform, providing a consolidated view of their financial assets.

For affluent Vietnamese families with dual footprints across Vietnam and other key hubs, Standard Chartered Wealth’s global footprint allows seamless account opening, fund movement, and consolidated relationship management across markets. This enables clients to diversify their portfolios by investing in global markets and asset classes, mitigating local market risks and enhancing potential returns.

What strategies does Standard Chartered recommend for Vietnamese priority clients looking to diversify their investment portfolios in the current market volatility?

For priority retail clients, we recommend creating personalised investment plans tailored to individual financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizons. It is vital for individual investors to regularly review and rebalance their portfolios to ensure they remain aligned with their financial goals. Our advisors provide ongoing portfolio monitoring and adjustment services to help clients stay on track.

A balanced asset allocation strategy is essential for individual investors. The more diversified your portfolio, the greater the confidence you can have that losses will be temporary. On the other hand, a diversified portfolio has more resilience in terms of lower volatility in different scenarios and an increased probability of full recovery over longer holding periods.

Incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into investment decisions is increasingly important. We recommend that clients consider ESG-focused funds and companies with strong sustainability practices, as these investments can deliver long-term value and align with global trends. Exploring alternative investments such as private equity, hedge funds, and real assets can offer unique opportunities for diversification.