Standard Chartered, the UK-based emerging markets bank, is planning to bolster its investment banking team as Indian and Chinese companies seek to make more acquisitions in Africa and other emerging markets.

Sean Wallace, head of corporate finance, said in an interview that StanChart was on course to expand its team handling mergers and acquisitionsand leveraged finance by between 25 per cent to 50 per cent in the coming year. It has about 100 people.