London: Despite protests from a section of trade unions, more British financial services jobs are destined for India with Lloyds TSB announcing that 1,500 jobs will be created in Bangalore and Hyderabad by the end of next year.

A spokesman of the high-street bank said on September 24 night that a pilot programme it began in Bangalore in May to process new bank accounts and credit card applications had been highly successful, convincing management that a larger operation could provide a swift and effective service to its customers.

As a result, Lloyds TSB will expand the Bangalore site, where it currently has 250 staff, and build a new operation in Hyderabad.

In a staff memo, the Lloyds Bank said, "The staff involved in the small-scale operation have proven, through their enthusiasm and commitment, that it is possible to work well as one extended team, regardless of location, and to provide customer service levels at least comparable with the UK."

Mike Fairey, deputy group chief executive of Lloyds TSB, did not rule out job losses in the UK as a result of the decision to expand in India.

PTI