Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters Embraces Hybrid Working, Letting Staff Set Own Schedules.

Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters allows his teams to decide their own in-office schedules, which he says is working for the bank. Winters practices hybrid working and tries to be in the office four days a week. Wall Street remains divided on remote and hybrid work, with some banks like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan opposing it, while others like Citi and Standard Chartered embracing it.

Standard Chartered Plc's CEO Bill Winters has taken a different approach to office attendance mandates, allowing his teams to decide their own in-office schedules. This policy has been met with success, as reported by the bank's 48% increase in profit before tax for the second quarter of 2025 [1]. Winters practices hybrid working himself, aiming to be in the office four days a week, and believes that flexibility is key to maintaining a productive workforce [1].

The banking sector remains divided on remote and hybrid work. While some banks like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan have opposed remote work, citing hindrances to innovation and decision-making, others like Citi and Standard Chartered have embraced it. Citi, for instance, recently announced a hybrid work model that allows employees to work remotely for two weeks in August, while still requiring at least three days of in-office work [2].

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has been vocal about his opposition to remote work, stating that it has "allowed some bad habits to develop" and that it is not ideal for the bank's operations [3]. He has mandated a return to the office five days a week for most employees [3].

Standard Chartered's flexible work policies have been cited as a reason for the bank's low attrition rates [1]. Winters believes that allowing managers and individual employees to agree on their schedules fosters a sense of autonomy and responsibility [1].

As the financial industry continues to navigate the post-pandemic landscape, the debate over remote and hybrid work policies is likely to persist. However, Standard Chartered's success with its flexible approach suggests that there may be room for different strategies within the banking sector.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-31/stanchart-ceo-resists-office-mandates-we-work-with-adults
[2] https://www.businessinsider.com/standard-chartered-ceo-will-not-make-staff-return-to-office-2025-8
[3] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-31/stanchart-ceo-resists-office-mandates-we-work-with-adults