Despite recent downsizing at London's leading investment banks, new jobs created in February were up 17 per cent from the same month last year, according to data from Astbury Marsden.

Hiring activity in London's financial services sector jumped 17 per cent in February, compared to a year ago, as global equities looked up and the US and eurozone delivered stronger-than-expected economic growth.

The number of new jobs created in the City reached 3,010 last month, up 17 per cent from February 2014, in spite of ongoing job cuts at UK investment banks, according to data from recruitment firm Astbury Marsden. The firm put the growth in the context of robust performance from US and UK stock markets, namely the recent record highs hit by the FTSE 100, Nasdaq, and S&P 500.

“A strong global equities market and positive economic noises emanating from the US and the eurozone contributed to increased hiring activity in February,” Astbury Marsden's associate director, Christopher Adeyeri, said in a statement. 

“As the oil price stabilises and concerns over a Greek exit from the eurozone subside at least temporarily, the markets have bounced back in recent weeks, which in turn has had a positive impact on hiring at the investment banks.”

The month-on-month increase was a more modest 8 per cent from the 2,780 jobs created in January this year but momentum is expected to build in the coming months as banks finalise their headcount for the year, the firm said.

“City staff who were planning to move jobs but were waiting to hear about their 2014 bonus will undoubtedly look at new opportunities in the Spring, especially if they don’t get the reward they think they deserve,” said Adeyeri.