The Standard Chartered Private Bank plans to open offices in two new Indian cities this year, and to double the number of its relationship managers in the country, the UK-listed firm said today.

The private bank is already present in five cities in India - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore – and plans to expand its network to Chandigarh and Hyderabad later this year.

The expansion plan will give the firm seven private banking centres in India, where it intends to double its roster of relationship managers to more than 100 by the end of 2011.

Delhi is one of the firm’s largest markets in India and the bank has now boosted its presence with a bigger client facility at Connaught Place in Delhi.

"With this new dedicated centre in Delhi, we are setting a new standard for private client facilities and our new offices in Chandigarh and Hyderabad will help us to extend our offering to new clients in those cities," said Peter Flavel, global head of The Standard Chartered Private Bank.

Bank of India, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Barclays, ICICI Bank, Standard Chartered, HDFC Bank and Yes Bank say they have already hired or are actively searching for fresh talent in 2010.