Barclays Capital is forging ahead with plans to recruit more than 1,500 staff next year despite being forced to write off £1.3bn ($2.7bn) as a result of the credit crunch.

Jerry del Missier, co-president of the investment banking arm of UK bank Barclays, said he will increase staff numbers globally in the division by 10% next year. Barclays Capital employed 15,444 staff worldwide at the end of last month and del Missier has earmarked the US and Asia as areas for expansion of its trading and investment banking activities.