The number of new jobs available in London’s financial services sector fell by 12 per cent in April 2010 from March, although still recording the second highest level since September 2008, according to specialist recruiter Morgan McKinley.

Compared to the same month a year ago, when job opportunities fell sharply, April 2010 registered a doubling in the availability of new jobs – and more financial services professionals entered the jobs market in April 2010, with a month-on-month increase of one-third. 

Compared to April 2009, there was a 69 per cent rise in professionals looking for new roles.

The time taken to find a new position fell to 53 days from 60 days in March 2009, highlighting that the recruitment process amongst financial institutions is starting to pick up pace.

Although these figures do not show detail in the wealth management sector, they can be taken as strongly indicative of the picture there.

As chronicled by WealthBriefing, a number of banks are continuing to hire relationship managers and other staff in selected regions of the world, particularly Asia. In the UK, for example, Royal Bank of Scotland's wealth management division has re-started its graduate recruitment scheme after temporarily suspending it last year.