Nomura Holdings Inc. (8604.TO) is looking to increase headcount in the U.S. by as much as 40% as part of its goal to become a globally competitive investment bank, the Financial Times reported Tuesday.

Citing Takeo Sumino, the firm's new U.S. chief operating officer, the paper said that Nomura now believes it has a better chance of success in the U.S. because of the consolidation in the financial industry and the difficulties faced by its competitors.

"I think it is probably a sensible time for us to be growing (in the U.S.)," Sumino told the Financial Times in an interview.

Nomura employs 850 people in the U.S. but Sumino said that headcount "will definitely be above 1,000 very quickly."

 
 Web site: www.ft.com