Standard Chartered Launches Gold Income Fund for Investors in Nigeria, Five Other Markets

By Adedapo Adesanya

Standard Chartered has launched its ninth sub-fund under its Variable Capital Company (VCC) platform, partnering with Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) as the sub-manager to provide eligible clients with access to a gold-focused investment strategy.

The new Signature Select Enhanced Gold Income Fund combines exposure to gold with an enhanced income-generation strategy. The fund invests in gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and uses a covered call strategy to seek regular income while allowing investors to participate in the potential long-term appreciation of gold.

Standard Chartered said gold could help diversify investment portfolios because of its relatively low correlation with traditional asset classes and its potential to provide resilience during periods of geopolitical, monetary and market uncertainty.

The fund is available from this month to Accredited and Professional Investors across the Bank’s Priority, Priority Private and Private Banking segments in Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Jersey, Kenya and Nigeria. Taiwan is expected to be added later in 2026.

AllianzGI, which has more than 700 investment professionals globally as of March 31, 2026, will provide investment management expertise for the fund.

Its Global Multi Asset Team will be responsible for options selection and the day-to-day management of the portfolio, drawing on its experience in portfolio construction, derivatives implementation, risk management and multi-asset investing across different market cycles.

Mr Sumeet Bhambri, Global Head, Advisory and Managed Investments, Wealth Solutions, Standard Chartered, said the partnership with AllianzGI would strengthen the bank’s latest VCC fund and provide clients with a differentiated investment strategy.

“As clients seek greater diversification amid an increasingly uncertain market environment, the fund provides access to a differentiated strategy that combines gold’s portfolio diversification benefits with enhanced income potential,” Mr Bhambri said.

He added that the launch reflected Standard Chartered’s commitment to expanding its wealth platform through strategic partnerships and delivering innovative investment solutions to clients.

On his part, Mr Marc Gualandi, Head of Global Banks at Allianz Global Investors, said the fund was designed to give investors exposure to gold’s long-term value proposition while generating income through an active options strategy.

“We believe gold can play an important role as a long-term allocation within a well-diversified portfolio,” Mr Gualandi said.

He said AllianzGI would leverage its expertise in income strategies, portfolio construction and risk management to help investors pursue income and long-term portfolio resilience.

Standard Chartered established its VCC platform in June 2024 to combine the expertise of leading fund managers with its global asset-class specialists and provide clients with access to customised investment strategies.

The latest launch brings the total number of sub-funds on the platform to nine and marks Standard Chartered’s fourth fund launch in 2026.