Even as they downsize their retail operations worldwide, Barclays Plc, Credit Suisse Group AG, Standard Chartered Plc and Citigroup Inc., are among global financial firms looking to add office space in India.

Barclay Technologies Center India Ltd, an offshore unit of the London-based financial services firm, is planning to add 100,000 sq. ft in Pune, 90 miles east of Mumbai, where it currently operates. At Panchshil Realty Ltd’s IT parks in Pune, approximately 35% of the total space is occupied by the captive technology businesses of Deutsche Bank AG, MasterCard Inc. and Credit Suisse, while Swiss bank UBS leased around 400,000 sq. ft at K Raheja Corp.’s IT park at Navi Mumbai.

“Captive banking, financial services and insurance clients, which were outsourcing earlier, prefer to do the work themselves, given the cost optimization. Instead of paying third-party operators, it’s better to have your own offshore unit,” said Gautam Saraf, managing director (Mumbai region), of global property consultant Cushman and Wakefield.

Mike Holland, chief executive officer of Embassy Office Parks, Bangalore said, “The BFSI industry is a strong demand driver, especially in Pune and Bangalore. We are also doing transactions in Chennai and Hyderabad in that segment.”