Nothing Standard About Standard Chartered

Like we noted last year, there's something about Standard Chartered that is worth looking into.

After its profit in the first half the year rose 9%, the firm has money to play with. And it intends to use it to invest in key markets and hire accordingly.

The U.K. bank will fill between 1,000 and 1,500 positions in the second half of the year, finance director Richard Meddings told Reuters yesterday.

The bank is expanding its corporate finance teams in China and Africa and will also grow its branch network in both places, in addition to India.

The firm is on track to record a year of record profits. Its main competitor, HSBC, saw its profit fall 3% this quarter from last year and is currently cutting 30,000 positions.

No Turning Back (Financial News)

You may think Nomura is going to return to its home market of Japan and become Japanese again. You would be wrong.

Getting the Offer (U.S. News)

Now that your M.B.A. internship may be coming to an end, make sure to still give 110% up until you leave. And don't forget to keep in touch with your managers.

Nexus of Power (Bloomberg)

Wall Street banks are falling over themselves to update their systems with the latest technology. IT is still a hot spot for hiring at the financial institutions.

Hopping Around (On Wall Street)

Citigroup's private bank has hired Steven Young as an ultra-high net-worth banker. He previously worked at Deutsche Bank.

Sweden Gets It (WSJ)

Paternity leave may be virtually nonexistent in the U.S., but not all countries are as shortsighted: Sweden is actually considering extending the leave it offers fathers.

Performance Reviews (WSJ)

Be nice to the person who sits next to you, even though you're sick of hearing them talk to their fiance on the phone all day, every day, five times an hour. That person may just be writing your next annual review.

Buzz Around the Office

Awfully Bad-Minton (NBC Sports)

Eight female badminton doubles players were given the heave-ho from the Olympics for intentionally tanking games to match up with easier opponents in future rounds.

List of the Day: Reasons to Stay Plugged In

As much as you want to leave your iPhone at home on vacation, here are some reasons to bring it.

1. You can prevent a small problem from getting bigger.

2. You'll have less to do upon your return.

3. It will help encourage you to take a vacation in the first place, knowing you can stay connected.

(Source: MoneyWatch)