Standard Chartered Plc has declared that a fifth of its total profits from all over the world comes from India. This is by far the highest that the company earns from any other region of the world where it has businesses running.

Standing second in this list is Hong Kong which contributes 16% of the total profits.

India has posted profit before tax (PBT) of $624 million for the bank which is a 19% growth on year on year basis.

There has been a rise in income from consumer banking operations by 18% on a year on year basis during the first six months of the year 2010 amounting to $ 251 million.

"Standard Chartered Bank is aiming for a growth in credit and deposits of 17-20% in financial year 2011," said Neeraj Swaroop, chief executive officer (India) of the bank.

"We expect to maintain NIM at current levels and NIM will be around 3.5-4% going ahead," Swaroop said.

He added that the bank has hired 1,100 people this year out of its plans to increase its headcount by 2,500.