Barclays to boost Asia numbers

Barclays is expected to increase its Asia Pacific staff numbers in its investment banking and private bank arms by around 5%, according to reports.

The banking group has grown net staff at its investment bank arm Barclays Capital and at its wealth management business by about 5% in the last year, to around 3,000. The division is understood to be building up its equities and M&A advisory in a bid to become a top three investment bank. Barclays Wealth launched an onshore private banking unit in India last year, said to be targeting over $1 billion in assets by the end of the year.