Despite the global credit crunch, over half of US financial services firms are planning on increasing professional hiring in 2008, with IT and sales staff expected to be in greatest demand, according to a survey by recruitment consultant Claymore Partners.
However the research - which surveyed 350 human resource executives from financial service institutions across the US - found that IT positions were also viewed as the most difficult function to fill by banks, despite increasing use of outsourced and offshore technology resources.
According to the study the vast majority of respondents - 90% - believe the impact of the credit crisis would be "slight" or have "no impact" on 2008 hiring plans.
However specific investment banking and mortgage firms and areas that are directly impacted by the credit crisis are reducing hiring plans in certain areas, although the impact does not seem to be widespread at this point, says Claymore Partners.