Standard Chartered is rumoured to be one of the few global banks with a budget to hire. And the bank has been swift to spot an opportunity following Lehman's demise by reportedly hiring the extremely well regarded James Pearson to run its European FX operations. If confirmed, Pearson will replace Keith Underwood, who recently relocated to New York to head StanChart's FX trading in the Americas. Sources say that Pearson is likely to take some of his old team with him.