Standard Chartered has rolled out a new range of Islamic funds, offering them first in the UAE, with the view of a broader international rollout.
Carrying the Signature CIO Fund brand, the bank launched the Signature CIO Islamic Fund series with two funds: a growth fund and an income fund. Similar to its conventional counterpart, which has amassed over US$3 billion in AuM since its 2022 launch, both portfolios follow a global, top-down asset allocation strategy covering equities, Sukuk, gold and cash.
The funds adopt a multi-manager structure, with Lazard Asset Management, which manages US$248 billion in assets, overseeing the global equity allocation, leveraging its research platform. Aditum Investment Management, based in Dubai, serves as the overall fund manager and manages the global Sukuk portfolio.
According to Ali Allawala, the head of Islamic banking (UAE) and Islamic wealth and retail banking (global) at Standard Chartered, the funds are a response to rising demand for diversified Islamic investment products.
“Investors are increasingly looking for solutions that align with Shariah principles while maintaining global diversification,” he said. “The objective is to offer exposure to multiple asset classes within a single, well-structured framework.”
Ali added that the Signature CIO Islamic Fund series emphasizes balance and resilience. “Each asset class has its role – equities provide growth, Sukuk offer stability, gold serves as a hedge and cash ensures liquidity,” he explained. “The aim is to combine these elements into a portfolio that performs across market cycles.”
The Sukuk allocation focuses on investment-grade sovereign, quasi-sovereign and corporate issuances, while the equity component targets Shariah compliant companies in sectors such as technology, healthcare and consumer services with long-term growth potential.
The fund, registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre, will be rolled out progressively, through feeder channels, across Malaysia, Bahrain and Kenya within the next few months reflecting wider investor interest in diversified Islamic investment solutions in emerging and frontier markets.
*Disclaimer: The opinions and viewpoints expressed in the Fund Profile do not constitute as recommendations for any funds highlighted. The information presented is not investment advice and should not be treated as such.
| Signature CIO Islamic Funds | |
| Fund manager | Aditum Investment Management and Lazard Asset Management |
| Launch date | 6th October 2025 |
| Asset class | Mixed assets |
| Base currency | US dollar (USD) |
| Initial investment | US$1,000 |
| Investment objective | Feeder funds that seek to achieve regular income by investing in a diversified portfolio of income generating securities globally and also to generate capital appreciation over a mid- to long-term investment horizon by accessing opportunities across multiple asset classes. |
| Master fund | Amundi Asia Funds – Signature CIO Income Fund |
| Risk profile | Medium to high |
| Distribution | Reinvests all income to maximize capital appreciation, unless specifically opted for regular distribution |
| Management fee | Up to 0.72% |
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