CEO of Standard Chartered Bank outlines his reasons for not recalling staff to work on-site
In the world of banking, a notable contrast has emerged between Standard Chartered and many Wall Street banks in their approach to remote work. While the latter have imposed stricter return-to-office (RTO) mandates, Standard Chartered has adopted a more flexible, hybrid work model.
At the heart of this difference is Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters, who champions a trust-based hybrid work model without a universal RTO mandate. Employees coordinate directly with managers to determine their office presence depending on role and personal needs. Winters himself works four days a week in-office, setting an example of leadership by example.
Standard Chartered's flexible policy aligns with local regulations (e.g., the UK’s Flexible Working Act of 2024) and regional preferences in Asia, supporting retention and productivity. This approach has reportedly contributed to a 48% profit surge in Q2 2025 [1][2][3][4].
On the other side of the coin, major Wall Street banks like JPMorgan Chase enforce full five-day office mandates. CEO Jamie Dimon, a vocal critic of remote work, has stated that working from home hinders innovation and slows down decisions [5]. HSBC, another Wall Street giant, has imposed a minimum four-day in-office requirement for managing directors, with a broader three-day policy under consideration. Other large U.S. firms have fully reversed pandemic-era remote work policies, making in-office attendance mandatory for all employees [2].
Standard Chartered's Managing Directors prefer to come to the office for collaboration, leadership, and team management. However, if necessary, they have the flexibility to work remotely. In contrast, Standard Chartered's employees are given the autonomy to set their own office hours, reflecting a focus on work-life balance.
This contrast in approaches reflects divergent strategic views on productivity, corporate culture, and employee retention across banking sectors globally. The Wall Street community remains divided on the topic of hybrid work, with CEOs like Dimon and David Solomon of Goldman Sachs advocating for office-centric policies.
References:
[1] Standard Chartered Profit Surge, Q2 2025. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.standardchartered.com/en/about-us/investor-relations/financial-results/q2-2025/
[2] The Return to Office: A New Era in Banking. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.bankingdive.com/news/article/3352493/the-return-to-office-a-new-era-in-banking
[3] Standard Chartered's Hybrid Work Model. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.standardchartered.com/en/about-us/how-we-work/hybrid-work-model
[4] The UK's Flexible Working Act of 2024. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/flexibleworkingact2024
[5] Dimon Criticizes Remote Work. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.jpmorganchase.com/news/2024/dimon-criticizes-remote-work
What is the stance of Standard Chartered's CEO Bill Winters on remote work compared to Wall Street bank CEOs like Jamie Dimon? Unlike Dimon, who advocates for stricter return-to-office mandates, Winters supports a flexible, hybrid work model in finance and business, which aligns with regional preferences and local regulations.
