Standard Chartered (STAN.L), the emerging markets-focused British lender, plans to add 2,000 more staff jobs at its office in Singapore, a senior bank official said on Friday.

The additions would be completed by the end of 2012, said Ray Ferguson, the head of Standard Chartered’s Singapore office, at the opening of the bank’s new premises at the city’s Marina Bay Financial Centre, which includes a three-floor trading room with 790 seats.

“We are in an economic super-cycle, where multiple functions of the financial services sector are growing,” CEO Peter Sands said in a speech earlier.

 

Despite galloping economic growth in Asia, the region’s banks are struggling to grow earnings as stronger loans and increased corporate activity are offset by tough trading conditions, falling interest margins and rising staff costs.